Assistant Operations Manager

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Operations Manager, safely and cost effectively supervise the maintenance, system improvements, and new construction of McKenzie’s distribution systems to meet system reliability, service standards, and member needs.  This includes overseeing all related construction, maintenance and operations activities, including trouble shooting distribution issues, warehouse operations, facilities, and fleet maintenance to successfully achieve desired goals and objectives in terms of safety, quality, resource optimization, and efficiency of the distribution system.

Responsibilities and Key Duties: The following responsibilities and key duty statements are essential functions of this position and are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job function. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of personnel so classified.  The person in this position may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by the Operations Manager.

Responsibilities include the following. Other duties are as assigned.

MEC Facilities

• Manages MEC’s facilities, buildings and grounds ensuring positive public image and compliance with applicable laws and MEC policy
• Manages contracts and contractors related to MEC facilities, i.e. ongoing service contracts, cleaning crews, electricians, plumbers, etc.
• Preventative maintenance for MECs buildings, mechanical and electrical systems and maintenance equipment
• Orders items for MEC related to cleaning and upkeep up facilities
• Manage Material Safety Data Sheets and provide them to Safety Manager
• Plans and develops special projects involving building and grounds
• Operates, programs, keys and maintains all lock and security systems (manages MEC’s keys)
• Establishes an annual facility calendar to ensure all required activities are complete, annual plan should also sync up with MEC events
• Responsible for establishing and adhering to annual facilities/grounds maintenance budget.

Warehouse and Facility Functions:

• Supervises warehouse including working collaboratively with necessary stakeholders to determine and maintain the most economical and adequate levels of materials and equipment to assure an uninterrupted flow of materials for daily work by cooperative employees, outside contractors and for use in emergency situations.
• Directly responsible for warehouse personnel.
• Responsible for material purchases in order to maintain adequate working stock levels. Communicates warehouse stocking plan, provides updates on overall status of warehouse to management.
• Assists with budgeting and forecasting of material supply. Responsible for annual inventory update and inventory budgeting.  Communicates any major changes to normal stocking levels.
• Coordinates with Engineering and Construction to ensure adequate material is available to support MEC projects.
• Ensures that material issues and returns are documented and recorded in the inventory system necessary for work order accounting.
• Responsible for continually improving warehousing, this includes warehouse and yard organization, labeling, barcoding, use of technology, ensuring material and name plate data are accurately captured/logged in system, and staging kitting.
• Responsible for continuing programs of analysis for new materials, supplies, and equipment and processes to achieve the best possible quality, reliability, price, continuity, and delivery.
• MEC point of contact for vendors and suppliers, works to resolve warehousing material concerns, leads and/or assists with bidding of material, assesses supplier performance to maintain member focus.
• Reviews and reconciles completed work orders with special attention paid to units affecting the Continuing Property Record (CPR). Prepares material sheets to reflect inventory items used on each project.

Fleet Maintenance Function:

• Direct oversight of MEC Mechanic
• Assists with coordinating outside fleet support/contractors, assesses level of service and ensures MEC is receiving adequate value
• Responsible for overall fleet maintenance program
• Responsible for maintaining current condition of MEC fleet, responsible for maintaining long range vehicle and mobile equipment plan, assists with annual budgeting for fleet and fleet maintenance,
• Works closely with Operations Manager to maintain a high availability of MEC fleet
• Supervises the maintenance of all Cooperative vehicles and construction equipment and supervises and directs all functions of the automotive service shop.
• Oversees and reviews vehicle maintenance and expense records. Maintains familiarity with computer procedures and instructions regarding assigned applications.
• Recommends maintenance schedules and the replacement of cooperative vehicles and construction equipment to ensure effective and efficient operations.

Construction, Maintenance, and Operations Functions:

• Assists Operations Manager with daily operations including supervision, scheduling and providing work direction and planning to the Line Foremen and line staff to plan, direct, coordinate and schedule the construction of electric facilities in conformity with established standards to meet present and anticipated needs as reflected in long-range engineering studies and work plans.
• Serves as backup to Operations manager
• Completes operations projects as they are assigned.
• Conducts field audits, inspects work in progress and completed work ensuring that work practices and job standards are being met for line maintenance and construction work.
• Review construction, work orders and work plans and make recommendations concerning inventory levels and other factors affecting the Cooperative’s ability to provide timely and cost effective service to the members.
• Researches and recommends changes in operations and equipment to better utilize the electric system, reduce costs and provide more reliable electric service.
• Initiates the planning of departmental improvements specifying the improvements that are expected to be achieved in operations and for the effective management of operations personnel as a result of those initiatives.
• Overall owner of MEC dispatching, works closely with Operations Manager and Operations Coordinator to evaluate and continually improve MEC dispatching process to maintain a high level of Member service, leads efforts to continually improve MEC dispatching,
• Assists with SCADA development and operations.
• Assists the Operations Manager, COO and the Engineering Services Manager to identify and assess priorities for construction based on area growth, load requirements, voltage drop and service continuity and priorities for corrective or needed action.
• Assists Operations Manager with reviewing/evaluating construction and maintenance practices, crew configuration and scheduling approaches to increase productivity of crews and overall operations of department.
• Directs line operations and other staff resources during power restoration for system-wide outages from emergency situations, such as storms or any other major disaster affecting the Cooperative’s system.
• Assists the Operations Manager in developing, communicating, adopting and establishing relevant and effective work rules in compliance with union contract.’
• Develops and maintains technical training program for MEC lineman, assists with other technical training as required for other positions at MEC, assists with apprenticeship program.
• Assists in the preparation of an annual operating budget for all aspects of construction, operations, maintenance, warehouse operations, fleet maintenance and facilities.
• Keeps informed of and abides by all cooperative policies, procedures, programs and safety rules. Participates in educational training and conferences as needed to maintain progressiveness and knowledge in job related areas. Participates in scheduled safety meetings and first-aid classes and maintains CPR and first-aid certificates.
• Works collaboratively with the Operations Manager, Contract Management and Safety Manager and staff to determine priorities and to discuss work status, related problems and solutions of issues and problems at staff meetings and on a one to one basis.
• Works collaboratively with Engineering Technicians to ensure constructions practices meet design standards and timely construction to meet member needs.
• As required, responds to member inquiries and maintains good positive working relationship with members by providing prompt, courteous and reliable service.
• Consistent with McKenzie’s Safety Management Programs, develops and encourages safe behaviors, work practices and conditions for all Cooperative employees. Assists Cooperative Safety Coordinator with investigations of employee accidents and prepares reports of personnel injuries, accidents and possible property damage claims.  Studies and reviews accident reports and determines remedial or preventative actions.
• Promotes, develops and maintains good morale and team spirit by appropriate delegation, coaching and counseling, performance appraisals and recognition of achievements and safety meetings.
• Maintains the confidentiality of any information he/she encounters.
• In support of the vision and direction of the General Manager/CEO, develops and maintains a positive, constructive and supporting working relationship with employees.

Competencies:

• Strong leadership aptitude
• Follows policies and procedures; upholds organizational values; works with ethics and integrity.
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations.
• Manages difficult or emotional member situations; responds promptly to member needs; solicits member feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Focuses on solving conflicts, not blaming; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to new and to others’ ideas.
• Speaks and writes clearly and informatively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings.
• Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continually build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Treats people with respect in actions and speech; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; includes appropriate people in decision making process.
• Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time effectively; sets and achieves challenging goals.
• Adapts to changes in work environment; manages competing demands.
• Volunteers readily; asks for and offers help when needed.
• Maintains and promotes a positive, professional attitude.
• Views the Cooperative as a unit of interdependent functions and assists when needed.
• Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:  High school diploma; five plus years of utility line person experience and four plus years of experience working in electric utility operations and three years plus supervisor/management experience in a utility service operation; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications/Licenses: A valid ND Class A driver’s license is required.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of RUS construction specifications, National Electrical Safety Code, OSHA regulations, and National Electric Code.
• Must be knowledgeable of RUS approved list of materials.
• Must have an understanding of budgeting methods, including managing and tracking activities and costs within target budget levels.
• Most possess knowledge of applicable RUS Bulletins and regulations, Cooperative policies, terms and conditions of service, rates, regulations and approved practices, particularly as it pertains to line operations activities.
• Basic understanding of how PC based Window’s software operates.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of members or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk or sit. May works outside with great physical exertion requiring upper body strength and stamina. The employee may be required to climb poles and may be exposed to the risk of high precarious places up to 55 feet or more, installing line materials and equipment and may occasionally work in awkward positions requiring lower body strength. The employee may lift and/or move a maximum of 50 pounds, occasionally heavy work requiring exertion of up to 100 pounds. Will occasionally work with or near energized lines and with equipment requiring safe work habits and performed in accordance with established work procedures and specifications to avoid electric shock and injury. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Emergency work and irregular work hours are conditions of this position.  Must be available for scheduled after hour call outs.  This position is subject to work in adverse weather elements/hazards conditions such as high temperatures, ice storms, outages, etc and is subject to work-related hazards while performing the job. Subject to random drug and alcohol testing consistent with Department of Transportation regulations.