Manager of Engineering

Lea County Electric Cooperative•Lovington, NM

18d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provide leadership and supervision of the daily operations of Engineering, Staking Services, Metering, System Planning/Coordination and Power Quality and manage the resources including capital and operations/maintenance budgets through: Metering: Developing departmental objectives, goals, budget and staffing Providing necessary tools, equipment and training for Technicians and AMI Coordinator to install, maintain, operate and test AMI system. Oversee and manage the work involved in resolving customer concerns regarding high bills and billing inaccuracies, Provide guidance in the evaluation of new metering technologies. System Planning/Coordination: Develop departmental objectives, goals budget and staffing. Provide necessary tools, equipment and training for Recloser/Relay Technician to install, maintain, operate and test distribution protection system. Provide guidance in the evaluation of new protection technologies. Load study analysis. Power Quality: Provide engineering expertise and leadership for resolving customer concerns and complaints regarding power quality issues. Analyze and inspect problematic sites using power quality recording equipment and generating thorough member reports.

Requirements

Four-year college degree in electrical engineering or a closely-related engineering discipline.
A minimum of three years of directly applicable, progressively responsible experience in addition to the degree requirement is required.
Prior supervisory experience is required.
Thorough knowledge of cooperative principles.
Knowledge of and be able to apply sound engineering principles as they apply to the electric utility industry.
Thorough knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and National Electrical Code, and of RUS Construction Specifications and approved materials.
Thorough knowledge of LCEC rates and power contracts.
Preparation of clear, concise and accurate engineering reports, studies and investigations.
Analyze complex, technical problems, exercise sound judgment and arrive at proper decisions.
Knowledge of relevant environmental principles and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of power forecasting principles.
Ability to manage people by providing clear direction of work responsibilities and cultivate a team atmosphere.
Thorough overall management principles needed to manage employees including leadership, planning, budgeting, project management and effective supervisory practices and scheduling.
High degree of initiative and demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively across departments.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Proficient in the operation of a computer and the use of Excel, Power Point, and Word type programs.
Understand and be supportive of the ideals and objectives of the cooperative and the rural electrification and state and federal power programs.
Must be able to analyze trends in the operations of the cooperative and recommend any desirable amendments and improvements.
Must have excellent skills in planning and project management and be able to apply the latest techniques in these areas, including the development of charts, graphs, reports and projection of trends shown therein for information to the board and general manager.
Must have excellent skills in all relevant personnel management areas.
Must be able to work with Staking, Operations and other departments.
Must have computer skills necessary to perform the requirements of the position, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing and engineering analysis.
Must have the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with various customers, community and affiliated organizations (i. e., key accounts, local governments, vendors, other utilities, etc.).
Must have the ability to stay abreast of new developments in all the fields necessary to the effective functioning of the department and to provide leadership in ensuring that all those reporting to the position develop their skills.
All employees must live within 30 minutes of their reporting site.

Nice To Haves

A Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification for the state of New Mexico is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise the automated meter reading system and day to day meter testing and maintenance.
Provide assistance to members in obtaining adequate, reliable and safe electric service to new and existing Cooperative members at the most economical cost.
Provide engineering expertise and assistance for Management, Staff, employees, and members of the Cooperative as well as all others as directed by Management and Cooperative policy.
Supervise and coordinate the work assigned to the AMR/Metering Section of the Department.
Supervise the testing and maintenance of all large user meter installations.
Calculate the PT and CT sizes for new loads, inspect and burden test of existing CT rated sites, and analyzing and generating a burden report
Supervise and coordinate the work assigned to the Recloser and System Coordination section of the Department.
Perform System Coordination studies for all areas on the LCEC distribution system and determine proper application of protective equipment, preparing sectionalizing studies and the implementation of necessary construction. Make recommendations for protective equipment additions and adjustments.
Research new protective equipment technologies and make recommendations to management for equipment additions and upgrades.
Perform fault studies and provide fault analysis reports to members at members request.
Generate and supervise maintenance schedule for existing LCEC protective equipment.
Perform fault study analysis and provide fault current reports for members.
Assist in long- and short-range planning of the electric power distribution system by preparing long-range plans and work plans.
Assist in safe and adequate design, selection of materials and equipment, construction and inspection of overhead and underground distribution line facilities.
Perform routine and special power quality (PQ) studies and investigations including voltage levels, customer voltage and flicker complaints, phase balancing, capacitor and voltage regulator applications, economic sizing of conductors and transformers.
Assist in the preparation and application of rate studies, load studies, line extension policies, power requirement studies, right-of-way and joint use practices, and other studies as required or assigned.
Assist with the selection of and application of materials consistent with RUS and the Cooperative's standards and practices, working with and coordinating the engineering phase of materials with manufacturers, representatives and outside consultants as necessary.
Assist with engineering cost estimating, budgeting and overall schedule coordinating of overhead and underground distribution construction required to implement work plans, protection studies, line maintenance and the extension of distribution lines required to adequately serve existing and new Cooperative members.
Assist in preparing construction budgets and general schedules and periodically reviewing, applying and modifying them as required.
Recommend and implement new or improved engineering standards, practices or methods.
Assist in personnel functions for those reporting position including development or position descriptions, selection, training, coaching, performance appraisals, rewards, discipline, recommendation for grade changes, pay adjustments, leadership and motivation.
Keep up-to-date with new or improved engineering and management techniques, standards and practices.
Attend seminars, conferences and special meetings to improve technical skills and management ability.
Performs such other duties as may be requested or assigned to fulfill the needs of the Cooperative in the interest of good management practices.