Director of Critical Infrastructure

CoServ•Denton, TX

About The Position

The Director of Critical Infrastructure leads Substation Engineering, Electric and Gas Control Center, Distribution Automation, and Gas Critical Infrastructure functions. The role oversees engineering, asset lifecycle management, operational technology, and control center operations to support safe, reliable, and efficient electric and gas service. The director develops departmental personnel, manages budgets and engineering consultants, oversees applicable compliance activities, and coordinates infrastructure planning, maintenance, and emergency preparedness with internal and external stakeholders. The position directs departmental managers and operations across engineering, substation and gas distribution regulation station (DRS) planning and design, asset management, control center operations, distribution automation, SCADA, and related operational technology. It oversees operating and capital budgets, consultants and contractors, workforce planning, performance monitoring, compliance programs, and emergency response. The director also represents CoServ in technical, regulatory, and stakeholder matters within assigned responsibilities and delegated authority.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalency.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
Twelve years of utility distribution and/or operations experience, including at least three years of leadership experience.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in Texas, or ability to obtain licensure within six months of hire.
Proficient oral and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and strict timelines.
Excellent decision-making, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Planning, organization, and leadership skills, with a team-oriented approach.
Ability to effectively execute company objectives and goals.
Results-oriented leadership and demonstrated ability to manage expectations, communications, and technical areas of expertise.
Strength in time management, project management, follow-up, and execution.
Ability to create win/win outcomes in conflict resolution.
Strong understanding of utility systems and their operations.
Familiarity with utility best practices for Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and SCADA platforms used in electric and gas operations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint, Visio, and PowerPoint.
Valid Texas driver’s license that must be maintained.

Nice To Haves

NERC Operator Certification.
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related technical field.

Responsibilities

Ensure departmental functions are conducted safely, efficiently, and effectively in accordance with utility practices, engineering principles, applicable codes and regulations, and CoServ policies.
Supervise, coach, motivate, and lead departmental managers, holding them accountable for results.
Determine staffing needs and develop workforce plans, succession strategies, and technical development programs.
Oversee annual operating and capital budgets for assigned Substation and Gas Critical Infrastructure, Electric and Gas Control Center, and Distribution Automation cost centers.
Establish internal controls and enforce approval authorities for operating and capital expenditures.
Determine engineering consultant needs, negotiate contract terms and rates with required approvals, and manage professional engineering contractors.
Direct engineering plans for electrical substations and gas distribution regulation stations to meet short- and long-range system forecasts.
Direct substation and DRS design and project management, including approval of layouts, engineering plans, and cost estimates for critical infrastructure and upgrades.
Oversee engineering drawings, bills of materials, and cost estimates that communicate design requirements to field personnel and contractors.
Direct development of equipment standards, specifications, and application best practices, incorporating input from other departments.
Oversee asset lifecycle management, including condition assessment, asset health evaluation, replacement planning, and risk-based capital prioritization.
Coordinate maintenance strategies, inspection programs, and operational practices with internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate transmission and substation planning and construction with the transmission service provider.
Oversee Distribution Automation, SCADA, communications, and related operational technology to support data accuracy, system effectiveness, and operational readiness.
Direct Electric and Gas Control Center operations and system operator activities in a 24/7 operating environment.
Establish operational performance expectations, readiness standards, and response protocols for reliability, resiliency, continuity, and emergency preparedness, including gas emergency response and restoration coordination.
Ensure gas control center procedures, monitoring, alarm management, and operator training support safe and compliant operations.
Oversee system operator training on SCADA-controlled equipment and technologies and provide or coordinate technical training.
Implement data-driven operational improvements supporting grid asset efficiency, load balancing, resiliency, and energy management.
Establish performance expectations and monitoring processes for critical infrastructure assets and departmental operations.
Monitor and report key performance indicators, evaluate trends, and recommend improvements to safety, reliability, asset utilization, regulatory compliance, and service delivery.
Serve as a key member of the Emergency Response Team during system emergencies and direct activities within the assigned role.
Serve as a subject matter expert on technical compliance requirements, including NESC, NEC, ANSI, OSHA, ERCOT, NERC, and other applicable requirements.
Develop and enforce departmental procedures, rules, and policies, and implement compliance processes and reporting.
Direct compliance activities within assigned areas related to federal, state, and local gas utility regulations, including pipeline safety, operator qualification, emergency response, public awareness, and damage prevention.
Support the development and improvement of programs to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with critical gas infrastructure assets and operations.
Follow CoServ safety and operating rules and report unsafe practices to a supervisor.
Follow CoServ information security policies and report suspected information security incidents to Tech Support.
Coordinate service requests and line construction projects with governmental entities, members, developers, contractors, and internal engineering and operations personnel.
Maintain working relationships with city, county, state, and regulatory authorities and represent CoServ within assigned responsibilities and delegated authority.
Provide technical input, written responses, and verbal testimony for legal or regulatory proceedings in coordination with appropriate CoServ representatives.
Negotiate and act on behalf of CoServ Electric and CoServ Gas on service certification matters within delegated authority and required approvals.
Provide technical support and direction to CoServ personnel and maintain effective communication between assigned and other departments.
Coordinate design efforts with Business Development to provide accurate costing and support business acquisition involving substation and DRS infrastructure.
Participate as a voting member on technical matters in CoServ’s Standards Approval process.
Represent CoServ on local and national technical committees.
Evaluate emerging technologies, utility best practices, industry trends, and evolving gas regulations and standards, and recommend their application.
Promote continuous improvement through post-event reviews, operational assessments, and process optimization using performance metrics.
Maintain knowledge of applicable electric and gas codes, regulations, utility practices, engineering principles, CoServ tariffs, service rules, policies, and line extension requirements.
Attend meetings, conferences, schools, workshops, and required CoServ University training to maintain and expand relevant knowledge.
Participate in CoServ’s Leadership Communications Team and Emergency Response Program.
Promote CoServ’s objectives, plans, programs, and goals.
Stay informed about public and political questions affecting areas of responsibility and develop informed responses.
Perform other duties and activities as directed.