Director of Electric Department

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Kirkwood Electric is a full-service municipal utility dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service to the homes and businesses that define our community. Kirkwood Electric purchases its own power from the wholesale market, with approximately 60% purchased from the Prairie State coal power plant in Lively Grove, Illinois, and approximately 40% from diverse sources connected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) grid. This includes a mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar resources.

The Director of Electric provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the City's Electric Department, ensuring the safe, reliable, and cost-effective generation, procurement, transmission, distribution, and delivery of electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

The Director is responsible for the overall administration of the department, including personnel, budgeting, electric system operations, infrastructure planning, wholesale power procurement, regulatory compliance, customer service, and long-term system planning. The position works closely with the City Manager, City leadership, other City departments, regulatory agencies, vendors, and community stakeholders to support the City's strategic and operational goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Direct the daily operations and long-term planning of the City's electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Manage an annual operating budget of approximately $35 million, including financial planning, forecasting, expenditures, capital needs, and long-term infrastructure investments.
• Lead and oversee approximately 18 employees, including hiring, performance management, training, development, and succession planning.
• Establish and maintain a strong culture of safety, accountability, customer service, and professional development.
• Oversee wholesale power procurement and power supply agreements to ensure reliable and cost-effective energy resources for the City.
• Monitor energy market conditions, power costs, system demand, and other factors affecting the City's electric operations and financial position.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, industry standards, and City policies.
• Develop and oversee capital improvement plans for electric infrastructure, including system reliability, capacity, maintenance, and modernization.
• Evaluate operational and financial data to identify trends, manage costs, improve efficiency, and support informed decision-making.
• Advise the City Manager, City leadership, and City Council on electric rates, power supply, infrastructure investments, regulatory matters, and other electric utility issues.
• Work collaboratively with Finance, Public Works, Human Resources, and other City departments on budget, personnel, purchasing, capital projects, and organizational initiatives.
• Oversee emergency response and continuity of electric service during outages, severe weather, equipment failures, and other system emergencies.
• Maintain effective relationships with customers, contractors, vendors, utilities, regulatory agencies, MISO, power suppliers, and other industry partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and long-term financial performance.
• Represent Kirkwood Electric in professional associations, industry meetings, and other community or regional forums as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering, business administration, public administration, utility management, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Significant progressively responsible experience in electric utility operations, power systems, energy management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, personnel, and complex operational programs.
• Knowledge of electric utility operations, wholesale power markets, power procurement, transmission and distribution systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to interpret budgets, operational data, forecasts, and financial information.
• Demonstrated leadership and decision-making skills with the ability to manage complex and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City leadership, customers, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in both an office and field environment. The position may require occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions, electric utility facilities, construction areas, and other operational environments. The position may require attendance at meetings, emergency response activities, and other events outside of normal business hours.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Three weeks of vacation annually.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• One day of sick leave per month.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefits, in accordance with City policies and applicable plan provisions.

NOTE:

This job description is not intended to limit the duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned for the effective operation of the department.