Manager of Distribution Engineering

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

This is highly responsible technical, supervisory and administrative work that provides supervision and engineering support to the utility’s distribution engineering functions. An incumbent is considered to be a subject matter expert and is responsible for the planning, design, construction management and operations of electric distribution and lighting facilities. Ensures that all distribution facilities are adequate to reliably meet customer demand and comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and requirements. Perform as a fully competent engineer in all conventional aspects of overhead and underground distribution design. Ensures that distribution construction standards and material specifications are kept up to date and in compliance with industry standards and industry norms regarding safety, reliability, and constructability. The duties allow for a wide latitude of independent action, judgement and decision making with minimal direction and supervision. Responsible for the supervision of subordinate personnel. Performs related work as required. Work is performed under the general direction of the Assistant Vice President of Engineering and Operations.

TYPICAL TASKS:

Performs work, designs and implements systems, and directs personnel consistent with industry best practice and a commitment to the safety and well-being of the public, fellow staff, and themselves. Oversees and performs work in the planning, design, easement and permit acquisition, construction management, material management, customer relation management, emergency restoration response, project budget development, and operation of electric distribution facilities to support customer growth and reliable operations. Plans, schedules, assigns, trains, and develops subordinate personnel. Assists in providing engineering and technical support for departments within the utility. Acts as a project manager on major energy delivery projects including but not limited to transmission line projects. Ensures successful project completion by ensuring that all aspects of projects are managed appropriately from identification through project closeout. Ensures that all engineering tasks meet all applicable federal, state, local regulatory and environmental requirements and are within generally accepted engineering practices. Performs annual system planning studies and ensures reliability improvement needs are identified in a timely manner. Performs other distribution system studies as required. Ensures all safety regulations and requirements.Develops and monitors operating and capital budgets for assigned area. Directs, coordinates and oversees the purchase, acquisition and management of contracts and purchases for materials and services to support division projects. Reviews specifications and drawings. Responds to customer and developer inquires in a timely manner. Maintains the utility’s design standards and materials. Prepares reports required to be filed with regulatory agencies on behalf of the utility. Performs other related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of electrical engineering. Thorough knowledge of the principles and methods involved in the planning, design and operation of electric utility in the areas of overhead and underground high voltage electrical systems. Must possess knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions taken to protect personnel and equipment utilized in the construction, maintenance, and operation of high voltage systems. Ability to work independently. Ability to apply complex and most current industry engineering practices and techniques to assigned work. Ability to perform quantitative analysis using available tools. Possess superior interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively across divisions of the utility to ensure effective coordination of procedures, practices, and measurements. Ability to make sound business decisions based on available information. Ability to work with other utilities in committees and task forces. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, other government agencies, and the general public. Must have exceptional analytical and problem solving skills. Must have exceptional skill and ability for assertively initiating and maintaining compliance with operational instructions and/or affiliated regulatory guidelines. Ability to effectively manage and lead employees reviewed through conversations, conferences, reports, observations, and by results obtained. Ability to respond in emergency situations. Must be able to do moderate lifting up to 50 pounds.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET accredited college or university and ten (10) years of professional utility experience in the planning, design, operations and maintenance of electric utility facilities. Three (3) years of the required experience should include leadership experience (preferred). Leadership experience includes managing project teams, budgets, coaching and mentoring team members, leadership training may be substituted for leadership experience. Supervisory experience preferred. Possession of a master’s degree in engineering may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid Florida Class E State driver’s license at time of appointment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

May be required to work outside of normal working hours during system outages or emergency situations.

Individuals in this classification are considered essential during emergency and storm situations and must be able to work up to 16 hours per day for extended periods of time.