Director of Critical Infrastructure

CoServ Job Search•Corinth, 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 substation and gas distribution regulation station (DRS) planning, design, project management, and asset lifecycle activities, and oversees Distribution Automation, SCADA, communications, and other operational technology. It also directs electric and gas control center operations and system operator activities in a 24/7 operating environment, establishing performance expectations, readiness standards, response protocols, and training programs. The Director oversees departmental budgets, staffing, workforce planning, engineering consultants, procedures, and compliance processes. The role monitors performance indicators and recommends improvements for safety, reliability, asset utilization, regulatory compliance, and service delivery. It serves as a member of the Emergency Response Team, coordinates with stakeholders and regulatory authorities, and represents CoServ within assigned responsibilities and delegated authority. The Director also supports technical standards, business development, continuous improvement, and organizational objectives.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
Twelve years of utility distribution and/or operations experience, including a minimum of three years of leadership experience.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in Texas or ability to be licensed 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, organizing, and leadership skills, with a team-oriented approach.
Ability to effectively execute company objectives and goals.
Results-oriented leadership experience managing expectations, communications, and technical areas of expertise.
Strength in time management, project management, follow-up, and execution.
Ability to create win/win situations in conflict resolution.
Strong understanding of utility systems and their operations.
Familiarity with utility best practices associated with Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and SCADA platforms used in electric and gas operations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint, Visio, and PowerPoint.
Ability to lift at least 25 pounds.
Ability to drive a company vehicle as needed.
Ability to operate office equipment, including a computer, telephone, fax machine, and copier.
Ability to sit for long periods.
Ability to work in potentially hazardous outdoor conditions, including areas with pets or wildlife, poison oak, poison ivy, and insect stings.
Must have and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Ensure departmental functions are performed safely, efficiently, and effectively in accordance with utility practices, engineering principles, codes, 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 cost centers and enforce expenditure controls and approval authorities.
Determine engineering consultant needs, negotiate contracts and rates with appropriate approvals, and manage professional engineering contractors.
Direct engineering plans, design, and project management for electrical substations and gas distribution regulation stations, including layouts, engineering plans, and cost estimates.
Oversee preparation of engineering drawings, bills of materials, and cost estimates for field personnel and contractors.
Direct development of equipment standards, specifications, and application best practices.
Oversee asset lifecycle management, condition assessments, asset health evaluation, replacement planning, and risk-based capital prioritization.
Coordinate maintenance strategies, inspection programs, and operational practices with internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate with the transmission service provider on transmission and substation planning and construction.
Oversee Distribution Automation, SCADA, communications, and related operational technology platforms.
Direct Electric and Gas Control Center operations and system operator activities in a 24/7 operating environment.
Establish operational performance expectations, readiness standards, response protocols, and emergency preparedness practices, 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 for grid asset efficiency, load balancing, resiliency, and energy management.
Establish performance expectations and monitoring processes for infrastructure assets and departmental operations; monitor KPIs, evaluate trends, and recommend improvements.
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 applicable technical compliance requirements, including NESC, NEC, ANSI, OSHA, ERCOT, NERC, and other requirements.
Develop and enforce departmental procedures, rules, policies, compliance processes, and reporting practices.
Direct compliance activities relating to applicable gas utility regulations, including pipeline safety, operator qualification, emergency response, public awareness, and damage prevention.
Support programs to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with critical gas infrastructure assets and operations.
Comply with CoServ safety, operating, and information security requirements and report unsafe practices or suspected security incidents.
Coordinate with governmental entities, members, developers, contractors, and internal engineering and operations personnel on service requests and line construction projects.
Maintain 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 departments and other departments.
Coordinate design efforts with Business Development to provide accurate costing and support business acquisition activities involving substation and DRS infrastructure.
Participate as a voting member on technical matters in CoServ’s Standards Approval process and represent CoServ on local and national technical committees.
Evaluate emerging technologies, utility best practices, industry trends, and evolving gas regulations and standards, and recommend applications to CoServ operations.
Promote continuous improvement through post-event reviews, operational assessments, and process optimization using established 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 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.