Manager of Engineering and Operations-EnerStar

Company Description

Company Description

EnerStar Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that is locally owned and controlled by its members. The cooperative powers the lives of more than 5,300 homes and businesses in east-central Illinois. It operates over 1,500 miles of lines in Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar, and Vermilion counties. The headquarters are located in Paris, IL.

Electric cooperatives are member-owned, not-for-profit businesses that provide electricity and related services to their members. They are distinguished from investor-owned utilities by their cooperative structure, where profits are returned to members rather than shareholders. Electric co-ops were initially formed to bring power to rural areas where investor-owned utilities were not providing service. 

Here's a more detailed look at electric cooperatives:

• Member-owned:

Unlike traditional utilities, electric cooperatives are owned and controlled by the members they serve. 

• Not-for-profit:

Any margins (profits) are returned to the members, often in the form of capital credits, rather than going to shareholders. 

• Community focused:

Electric cooperatives are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, with a focus on providing reliable and affordable electricity, as well as supporting local initiatives and economic development. 

• Democratic control:

Members have a voice in the cooperative's operations through democratic member control, and elect fellow coop members to serve on the board of directors. 

• Rural focus

Electric cooperatives were instrumental in bringing electricity to rural areas where investor-owned utilities were not present. That commitment to rural communities continues today.

Job Description

The Manager of Engineering and Operations provides the planning and supervision for optimal electric service to members throughout the distribution system owned and operated by EnerStar.  The Manager of Engineering and Operations develops and promotes the required adherence to established safety rules, policies, regulations, and practices.  The Manager also ensures that the distribution system is engineered to operate with maximum efficiency, taking into consideration the cooperative’s long-range plan, construction work plan, and ongoing member needs. Plans, organizes, and directs work relating to new construction as well as system improvements.

The essential duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general content for the performance of this position.  It is not constructed as an exhaustive list.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform these essential duties, responsibilities and requirements of the task/job.

Operations

• Develops and oversees programs that will assure the cooperative’s members that they are receiving the maximum amount of uninterrupted service with efficient maintenance, construction, inspection and right-of-way maintenance programs
• Obtains, through continuing research and education, knowledge that will assist in maintaining an effective and efficient system in support of the utility and its membership
• Directs operation personnel via daily prioritization and scheduling of jobs
• Research and provide recommendations for the purchase of equipment needed to properly maintain the electric distribution system
• Works with the mechanic to ensure that the mobile fleet remains in good, safe working manner and maintains a relatively clean appearance
• Works closely with CFO and CEO to prepare, maintain, and adhere to a departmental budget, providing detailed explanations should budget variances occur
• Works closely with HR to ensure that EnerStar remains compliant with all safety and regulatory matters applicable to the cooperative
• Supports a culture of safety that will ensure the safe and efficient work of all crew members. This includes suggesting and approving training/education of operations personnel both within the workplace and at off-site facilities
• Oversees vegetation and line crews working on all new service, upgrades, and maintenance.  
• Works closely with Warehouseman to ensure sufficient material is available for upcoming orders and that all inventory levels are adequate
• Maintains inventory control on all tools and maintains them in good mechanical and safe working order

Engineering

• Oversees all essential staking functions
• Prepares staking sheets, either manually or electronically, and creates relevant work order(s) identifying the work to be performed by cooperative or cooperative’s contractor
• Obtains necessary easements and permits when crossing or otherwise impacting state or county right of way
• Provides input into cooperative’s cost recovery policies to best ensure that the parties receiving benefit are allocated construction costs in proportion with benefits received. Documents any deviations from aforementioned cost/benefit allocations
• Supports invoicing of construction costs to members and ensures the collection of construction costs and deposits
• Ensures preparation of construction material sheets
• Ensures that accurate notes, records, email, and work order details are prepared and archived which accurately and thoroughly detail work performed
• Oversees preparation of a monthly engineering report for review by the board.  Regularly attends and participates in monthly board meetings
• Responsible for coordinating 3rd party inspections and certifications of work orders as required
• Plays vital role in preparation of construction work plan, long range plan, and various system studies
• Develops and adheres to an annual engineering department budget, providing timely updates on expenditures throughout the year
• Provides timely recommendations regarding cooperative policies and procedures related to interconnection of distributed generation and reviews all interconnection requests
• Spearheads efforts alongside Information Technology, to review, select, install, and maintain advanced metering infrastructure to satisfy cooperative’s billing needs.
• Coordinates any field work required related to advanced metering infrastructure
• Provides engineering support to ensure that member billings are as accurate as possible (ie: estimating consumption when needed) 

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Post-Secondary education in a closely related technical field prefer 5-8 years supervisor experience.  If the candidate has more years of experience in a related technical field this may be considered in lieu of post-secondary education.  Utility experience is preferred.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to use hands and arms.
• Regularly stand; walk; sit; climb; balance; stoop; kneel; crawl; talk; hear
• Occasionally lift up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required such as close vision; distance vision; color vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises operations personnel including, but is not limited to, engineering and operations coordinator, foreman, construction and maintenance crews, warehouseman, mechanic, and vegetation management personnel.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of the job classification groups.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with EnerStar’s polices and applicable state and federal laws.
• Works closely with HR and CEO in interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, disciplining employees, addressing member complaints and resolving problems.
• Supervises the maintenance of the mobile fleet, outside plant, garage area, and pole yard.
• Supervises handling and recordkeeping of all PCB and any other hazardous material on the property.
• Serves as the designated operational lead for major multi- day storm events.

Work Environment

The work environment described are representative of those an employee encounter while performing the essential functions of the job.  

• Exposed to all outside weather conditions

• Exposed to moving items at various heights
• Exposed to airborne particles
• The noise level is moderate

Additional Information

Additional information:

A comprehensive benefit package is available.  This is not an exhaustive list:

* 401K-traditional and Roth-employer and employee eontributions

* Defined Pension-employer contributes for employee

*Clothing allowance

*Health, dental and vision insurance

*11 Holidays per year

*Life insurance paid for by EnerStar with more available with employee payroll deduction 

*Very generous vacation and sick leave

*and much more