Manager of Engineering

Corn Belt Energy Corporation•Bloomington, IL

About The Position

The Manager of Engineering will direct all functions and activities of the Engineering department by applying technical knowledge, sound engineering judgment and skill to insure the electrical system meets the present and future requirements and is rendering safe, efficient and dependable service to its member/owners at the most economical cost. The objectives include providing assistance to members in obtaining adequate, reliable and safe electric service to new and existing cooperative members at the most economical cost. This role also involves providing engineering expertise and assistance for the management, staff, employees, and members of the cooperative, as well as others as directed by management. The Manager will direct and coordinate the work and employees assigned to the Engineering Department, engage in long- and short-range planning of the electric power distribution system, and prepare long-range plans and work plans. Key responsibilities include electrical protection of the electric power distribution system, assuring proper application of protective equipment, preparing sectionalizing studies and implementation of necessary construction, and deployment of distribution automation systems and scenarios. The role also covers the safe and adequate design, selection of materials and equipment, construction, and inspection of overhead and underground distribution line facilities. Furthermore, it involves engineering, estimation of costs, and staking for work resulting from member service requests, preparing routine and special studies and investigations (e.g., voltage levels, customer voltage and flicker complaints, phase balancing, capacitor and voltage regulation applications, economic sizing of conductors and transformers), and assisting in the preparation and application of rate studies, line extension policies, power requirement studies, right-of-way, easement, and joint use practices. The position requires assisting with the selection and application of materials consistent with REA and Cooperative standards, working with manufacturers, representatives, and outside consultants, and ensuring all necessary maps, records, and engineering data are prepared and maintained. Planning, scheduling, assigning, training, directing, and coordinating the work of employees assigned to the Engineering Department is crucial. The role also involves assisting Operations in scheduling and coordinating field work, assisting in the preparation and fulfillment of legal contracts and documents, performing necessary inspections and investigations, recommending and implementing new or improved engineering standards, practices, or methods, and acquiring and maintaining right-of-way easements, agreements, and permits. Finally, the Manager will prepare engineering reports, computations, cost estimates, specifications, and other engineering details, stay up-to-date with and apply new engineering and management techniques, and understand and coordinate connection to distributed generation assets up to 10MW.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering [BSEE]
Minimum of 5 year's experience with an electrical distribution system, preferably an electric cooperative system.
Licensed Professional Engineer, desired.
Valid IL driver's license.
A thorough knowledge of and be able to apply sound engineering principles as they apply to the electric utility industry.
Must be able to perform and prepare clear, concise and accurate engineering reports, studies and investigations.
Must be able to analyze complex, technical problems, exercise sound judgment and arrive at proper decisions.
Must have ability to plan, schedule and direct the activities of others assigned to work with him/her.
Must have high degree of initiative and demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with others.
Must be able to learn and help establish, as required, the Cooperative's policies, engineering practices, standards and methods.
Must have demonstrated ability to manage people to by providing clear direction of work responsibilities and cultivate a team atmosphere.
Must be proficient in the operation of a computer and the use of the Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Professional Engineer

Responsibilities

Reviews information gathered from monthly substation readings, the SCADA system, engineering and operations' personnel, and member/owners to pinpoint problems on the electrical distribution system; makes recommendations to eliminate problems and improve reliability where possible.
Develops specifications, assists in evaluating quotes, and makes recommendations to management regarding the purchase of power transformers, distribution transformers, voltage regulations, electronic reclosers, switching devices and equipment, underground cable, SCADA equipment, and other equipment or materials to be used on the Cooperative's system.
Consults with engineering and operations personnel to plan and implement alternate feed arrangements and switching operations to allow for voltage conversion, planned maintenance, and power restoration.
Direct and coordinate the work and employees assigned to the Engineering Department.
Long- and short-range planning of the electric power distribution system; preparing long-range plans and work plans.
Electrical protection of the electric power distribution system, assuring the proper application of protective equipment, preparing sectionalizing studies and the implementation of necessary construction.
Deployment of distribution automation systems and scenarios.
Safe and adequate design, selection of materials and equipment, construction and inspection of overhead and underground distribution line facilities.
Engineering, estimation of costs, and staking for the work resulting from member service requests.
Preparing routine and special studies and investigations including voltage levels, customer voltage and flicker complaints, phase balancing, capacitor and voltage regulation applications, economic sizing of conductors and transformers.
Assist in the preparation and application of rate studies, line extension policies, power requirement studies, right-of-way, easement, and joint use practices, and other studies as required.
Assist with the selection of and application of materials consistent with REA and the Cooperative's standards and practices, working with and coordinating the engineering phases of materials with manufacturers, representatives and outside consultants as necessary.
Ensuring all necessary maps, records and engineering data are prepared and maintained.
Planning, scheduling, assigning, training, directing and coordinating the work and assignments of appropriate employees assigned to the Engineering Department.
Assisting Operations in the scheduling and coordination of field work between Cooperative and outside construction and/or engineering personnel with engineering functions, assisting in the preparation and fulfillment of legal contracts and documents, performing necessary inspections and investigations.
Recommending and implementing new or improved engineering standards, practices or methods.
Acquiring and maintaining new or existing right-of-way easements, agreements and permits.
Preparing engineering reports, computations, cost estimates, specifications or other engineering details.
Keeping up-to-date with and applying new or improved engineering and management techniques, standards and practices.
Understand and coordinate connection to distributed generation assets up to 10MW.