Position Summary: Under the direction of the Design Services Supervisor, designs, stakes, maps and inspects primary, secondary and service installations for new services, system improvements, sectionalizing equipment and retirements of existing facilities in a manner that provides safe, prompt, efficient and reliable electric service to McKenzie Electric Cooperative’s (MEC) consumer-members.  Provides quality service to member-consumers to ensure member-consumer needs are met within compliance of MEC’s standards and by providing timely and accurate responses to request for service or information.

Responsibilities and Competencies: The following responsibilities and competency 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 General Manager/CEO or higher level Management.

Responsibilities include the following. Other duties are as assigned.

• Responds to member requests by designing, routing and staking all new extensions, conversions, additions or upgrades to electric distribution facilities.
• Schedules and keeps appointments with member-consumers for new construction, upgrading or conversions of facilities and relocation or removal of existing facilities. Interacts and interviews members to identify the optimal design, location, routing and cost estimate of new extensions or upgrades that mutually meets the needs of members and MEC’s standards in terms of cost, construction, maintenance and overall reliability.
• Effectively communicates with member-consumers terms and conditions of service, rates, standards, and company policies.
• Consistent with MEC’s line extension policy and according to Rural Utility Service (RUS) and MEC’s unit design standards, prepares itemized construction costs estimates for new or upgraded service and system improvements work.
• Designs, stakes and inspects all new, upgraded or retired distribution lines according to RUS, National Electric Safety Code specifications and approved construction practices with the goal of enhancing the reliability of the distribution system. This includes accurately preparing staking sheets (both manually and electronically) that meets expectations of MEC’s standards in terms of quality, completeness and timeliness for construction operations.
• Consistent with standard design units, prepares itemized list of required materials required for construction. Ensures material list identified for design jobs is complete, accurate and provided in a timely manner.  Coordinates with Operations and Warehouse to ensure material availability for the timely construction of work jobs. 
• Regularly collaborates with Operations and Line Crews to improve design-construction processes to cost effectively meet member and cooperative needs for quality, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Assists in the coordination, planning and designing of work plans for system improvements to electric transmission and distribution facilities, including the preparation and filing of appropriate documents.
• Acquires easements for right-of-way and processes and records easements at government offices as required.
• Maintains, corrects and updates distribution system circuit diagram and system maps within geographic information system (GIS) or system mapping platform. Reviews standard maps of cities, subdivision plots, railroads, highway and other utilities in connection with the preparation of new system maps for locating distribution lines.
• Maintains records necessary for work order accounting procedures and to support the formulation of work plans and reports required by the RUS and all other regulatory agencies.
• Identifies and reports any unsafe or unsatisfactory conditions on the distribution system and reports these conditions for corrective actions.
• Identifies and recommends improvements to work practices, design standards and business processes that strengthens service, enhances safety, reduces cost and improves reliability.
• Utilizes company equipment, knowledge and systems for peak efficiency and presents a positive image for MEC.
• Assists and coordinates with transition and interface of GIS or system mapping to future technologies.
• Maintains a certification of first aid, CPR and other life saving techniques and performs these techniques as necessary to ensure that prompt attention is given to coworkers during emergencies.
• Attends and participates in training programs for improvement of job knowledge, skill and safety.

Competencies:

• 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: Bachelor’s degree in an engineering related field from a four-year college or university; four plus years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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

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.
• Possess understanding 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.
• Working understanding of electricity, electronics, surveying and/or computerized drafting.
• Familiar with system geography.
• Demonstrates a general understanding of the cost to do business and views self as a resource in controlling business costs.
• 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. Works outside with great physical exertion requiring upper body strength and stamina. The employee will routinely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds, occasionally heavy work requiring exertion of up to 100 pounds. 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.