System Operations Manager

Position Purpose:

Responsible for all distribution operations activities.  Lead and guide District Operation Managers to insure proper planning, management, coordination, installation, operation and maintenance of the distribution facilities across the service territory in such a manner that meet the established standards and reflect the most efficient utilization of construction and operation methods, techniques and equipment.  Within the Operations Department, develop and maintain a favorable Cooperative image consistent with the Cooperative’s Strategic Goals.

Essential Functions:

A. Directs the construction and maintenance of the Cooperative’s distribution system.

1. Ensure that emergency conditions causing power outages are restored promptly.
2. Participate in pre-storm planning, coordinate crew allocations and direct daily storm response activities.
3. Review the causes of power outages and institute appropriate actions and adjustments to improve reliability and to prevent future occurrences.
4. Ensure inspection and certification of new construction during and after completion to ensure compliance with prerequisites for requesting advance loan funds for reimbursement.
5. Coordinate agreements and construction involving joint use of poles with other utilities.
6. Ensure that equipment is maintained in a safe and ready operating condition.

B. Promotes uniform standards by adopting and following appropriate Cooperative and department policies, record keeping, and compliance with the Cooperative's Operations and Maintenance Plan.

1. Ensure adherence to existing construction, label and tagging and safety standards.
2. Periodically review standards and work with engineering to suggest and improve standards as needed.
3. Ensure the distribution system is maintained according to RUS specifications and sound engineering practices.
4. Communicate with GIS to ensure that system maps, diagrams, and related reference materials needed in electrical operations are current.
5. Establish and enforce consistent operating procedures, encourage cooperative efforts among areas, evaluate personnel assignments and responsibilities, and ensure that area personnel receive physical and managerial support in achieving the Cooperative’s objectives.
6. Enforce adherence to the Cooperative’s policies and procedures.
7. Plan and conduct Operations staff meetings to maintain communications flow

C.  Responsible for all departmental short-term and long-term planning.

1. Periodically review Operation’s employee staffing levels and develop plan for long term growth.
2. Review workloads and operating schedules regularly.
3. Recommend department organizational structure and staffing to achieve goals through the most effective and efficient utilization of available resources.
4. Continually review contractor’s workforce and work with engineering and purchasing to ensure adequate levels are procured and maintained to achieve desired production schedules.
5. Periodically review Operation’s tools, vehicles and equipment and recommend any needed additions, or modifications.
6. Keep the system engineer informed of any electrical system irregularities and provide necessary information for system studies, or investigations.
7. Participate in the formation and review of system work plan studies, providing input regarding areas of high growth and components of the existing system that are in need of improvements.
8. Monitor progress and cost incurred in carrying out the Construction Work Plan; develop reports and data regarding the status of the activities to assure compliance with program goals and budget levels and to serve as the basis for re-planning.
9. Submit reports on work planned, scheduled, in-progress, and completed, and recommend needed changes.
10. Evaluates and reports on productivity and recommends changes to enhance productivity

D. Responsible for development of annual department budget.

1. Collaborates with each District Operations Manager to develop an annual budget for each district.
2. Periodically reviews department expenditures to ensure proper assignment of costs and adherence to approved budget.
3. Coordinates scheduling of purchases with the purchasing department and ensures adherence to BEMC’s purchasing policy.

E. Reporting

1. Work closely with accounting to approve and verify the accuracy of billing invoices within the Operations department.
2. Collaborate with engineering to gather information for the preparation of labor contracts.
3. Report substation and circuit outages and related problems. Review and make appropriate comments and recommendations in the Post Outage Review.
4. Provide engineering feedback on equipment changes, settings changes, or replacements.
5. Conduct special inspection reports as requested.

F. Supervisory Responsibilities.

1. Assess training needs among staff personnel. Identify training needs and coordinate training sources. Review and plan annual training needs.
2. Evaluate performance of supervised personnel and each district’s performance. Review assessments with each direct report.
3. Maintain proficiency with computer software systems utilized by operations personnel and serve as support to operations employees.
4. Approve credit card purchases within the operations department and insure that purchases are allocated accurately.
5. Closely monitor any processes related to Cyber Security within the operations department in accordance to the policies governing internet and mobile device usage.
6. Closely monitor process and procedures to protect BEMC from threats of physical security.