Field Operations and Engineering Manager Full Time NEW

Under the administrative direction of and in support of the Electric Division Manager, this senior management position directs the daily operations of the Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) electric system and provides engineering oversight, construction and other project management expertise. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing and directing the electric system engineering, planning, protection, and operation functions; overseeing power quality assurance and testing; coordinating electric division activities with other utility divisions, City departments, and outside agencies in order to provide safe and reliable generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy to the citizens and businesses of the City of Ketchikan and the surrounding Borough.

The Electric Division of Ketchikan Public Utilities provides generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy to the industry, business, and citizens of the City and Borough. The Field Operations and Engineering Manager must perform his/her duties in a manner that reflects positively on the City of Ketchikan and the Division.

**REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES**

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Oversees and directs the Electric Division’s transmission and distribution and engineering functions, including planning, system protection, and daily system operations, and implements and maintains the power quality assurance program and testing.
• Manages an Electric Division staff of approximately 20 line and professional employees, including hiring, training, scheduling, and regularly communicating with staff; assigns daily work; reviews and evaluates staff performance, and initiates improvement plans and discipline as appropriate.
• Provides professional level electric engineering and project management oversight, including preparing preliminary and final plans, designs, cost estimates, schedules, and specifications for electric utility projects.
• Develops the Electric Division’s capital and operations annual budget for the TDandE department, including forecasting funds for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; Monitors and evaluates expenditures for approval and implements adjustments.
• Administers procurement and construction contracts for field operation projects; Coordinates these and engineering projects with other City departments, contractors, consultants, and outside agencies to ensure the successful and timely completion of the projects.
• Serves as the Electric Division’s liaison to address, respond, and resolve sensitive or controversial inquiries, complaints, claims, and other issues raised by citizens, customers, or other outside parties including federal, state, or local agencies or regulatory bodies; Coordinates with other KPU divisions and City departments as necessary for a proper response; Informs Electric Division Manager of critical or significant issues and elevates challenging situations as appropriate.
• Develops the Electric Division’s goals, objectives, and priorities with other senior managementand effectively and timely communicates them to FOandE staff.
• Assists Electric Division Manager as directed, which includes conducting or overseeing organizational or operational studies, investigations, developing and maintaining designated data, records, policies, procedures, processes, programs and modifying the same, as appropriate.
• Monitors industry trends, developments, and best practices; Recommends modifications, upgrades to equipment and service delivery methods; Oversees installation of approved modifications, upgrades and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• Represents the Electri Division on a variety of boards and commissions; Participates in appropriate related professional association activities, including attending meetings.
• Acts as the Electric Division Manager in his/her absence.
• Performs related duties as required.

**

QUALIFICATIONS**

The following generally describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge Of

Electric power systems operations and the electric utility industry.

General operation of hydroelectric and diesel generation facilities.

Physical characteristics of electricity as required to generate, transmit, and distribute electrical power.

Principles and best practices of SCADA, electric metering, and power systems engineering.

Electrical and mechanical devices used to generate, transmit, and distribute electrical power.

Methods and techniques of engineering an electric power system.

Principles and best practices of budget preparation and administration.

Principles of supervision, training, performance evaluation, and progressive discipline.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, ordinances, and KPU policies.

Skills

Operate office equipment including desk and laptop computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Prepare clear and concise financial and other reports.

Prepare large budgets.

Ability To Effectively

Troubleshoot issues occurring in electric power systems.

Delegate, direct, coordinate and supervise the work of professional and line staff.

Analyze problems, identify options and alternative solutions, project consequences, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Research, evaluate, and plan the installation of new, or the modifications to current, equipment and service delivery methods.

Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of individuals.

Present information and the Electric Division’s position to audiences of varied sizes.

Work under pressure and make sound decisions with limited information.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted int eh course of work.

Maintain professionalism in stressful or high-conflict situations.

Education

Education and Experience Guidelines Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in

electrical engineering.

Experience

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible electrical engineering experience in electric utility transmission and/or distribution operations, including two (2) years with management and supervisory responsibility.

Licenses/Certificates

Possession of, or ability to obtain within 45 days of employment, a valid Alaska driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with hydroelectric and diesel electric power systems, project management, system planning, overcurrent protection, SCADA, and power quality issues is highly preferred.

Experience working with a represented workforce.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Professional Engineering License in the State of Alaska is desirable.