Director of Utility Services

The Director of Utility Services is a strategic and operational role primarily responsible for leading, developing, and empowering highly skilled technical teams. The role is responsible for supervising all functions of the engineering and information technology departments and system operations consistent with the policies, procedures, practices, rules/regulations and philosophies as specified by the District’s Commissioners and General Manager. Ensures District operations are in compliance with established NERC, WECC, FERC, and related standards and policies.

Engineering

·         Responsible for ensuring engineering services that promote the effective functioning of construction, operations, safety, maintenance, financial planning, utility rate design, consumer/ratepayer relations and other activities of the District.

·         Responsible for ensuring all duties are performed in such a manner as to reflect favorably on the management of the District and to ensure courteous, high-quality service to county residents and businesses in accordance with the District's Mission Statement.

·         Oversee the transmission, substation and distribution engineering activities of the District, including: economic analyses, facilities planning, technical standards, engineering design, staking, and land management.

·         Oversee the development of the Engineering department's operating budget, and planning and budgeting of programs/projects in coordination with the Finance Department. Responsible for implementing plans and projects within budgetary constraints.

·         Oversee the performance engineering and economic studies and make recommendations based on them.

·         Directs the engineering department in accordance with District policies, and subject to the approval of appropriate District management.

Technology

·         Responsible for directing the CIP Senior Manager with overall responsibility for leading and managing the District’s implementation of, and adherence to, the CIP Reliability Standards. Responsible for developing and implementing appropriate policies, procedures and programs to facilitate and maintain ongoing compliance and to manage enterprise risk resulting from cyber and physical attacks.

·         Responsible for overseeing the planning, organizing, and execution of all IT functions at the District. This includes ensuring that all IT operations meet customer needs requirements.  

·         Responsible for overseeing implementation of hardware, software and data maintenance of the District’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and SCADA systems.

·         Directs the Information Technology departments to ensure productive participation in inter-departmental and District projects, engage in regular professional development activities, and cooperate and communicate well with District staff and customers.

System Operations

·         Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the system dispatchers and the dispatch centers.

·         Responsible for directing the system dispatchers regarding scheduling of shifts, outages, and coordinating activities with the compliance, engineering, technology, safety, customer service and line operations departments.

·         Responsible to ensure system dispatchers are sufficiently trained, new dispatchers are properly qualified, and NERC System Operator Certification is supported for those system dispatchers who elect to maintain their certifications.

·         Responsible for overseeing the real-time balancing of the system loads, strategic marketing strategies, and generation of the District’s generation resources.

·         Responsible for identifying efficiencies in the District’s generation and transmission assets and processes to increase efficiency, cost effectiveness, and safety to support the Strategic Plan.

·         Directs the system dispatchers in policy and performance of meeting contractual obligations with Transmission Operators, Balancing Authorities, Reliability Coordinators, and other third parties who provide services or have statutory authority over the District.

Compliance

·         Provides guidance for the interpretation and implementation of the District's reliability compliance standards as set forth by regulatory requirements from NERC, FERC, WECC and other regulatory agencies; standard practices, procedures and guidelines for reliability compliance; identifies and resolves complex reliability and implementation problems; provides standards, procedures and training to ensure that reliability compliance operations are completed and are in compliance with all applicable regulations; suggests procedures to improve effectiveness.

·         Serves as subject matter expert on reliability compliance, assisting in the technical aspects of the District's review and participation in new reliability standards as developed by FERC, NERC, WECC and other regulatory agencies.

·         Support District staff during, and preparing for audits, conducted by regulatory agencies on the District's reliability compliance standards and operations.

Requirements

·         Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business or accounting and at least five years of progressive experience that includes electric utility operations, electric utility system planning, electric production, electric utility regulatory compliance; or an equivalent combination of training and experience is required. Electrical Engineer with current Washington State Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.

·         A thorough knowledge of the electric utility industry, business and operations and understanding of FERC, NERC, FRCC and state regulatory requirements and issues is necessary. Interpersonal skills including clear and concise communication both in writing and verbally.

·         Working knowledge of Microsoft software such as Excel, Word, Access and Visual Basic.

·         Thorough knowledge of electric utility operations.

·         Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with all levels of the organization and outside agencies; use independent and discretionary judgment; manage confidential information. The ability to evaluate interrelated systems and integrate the District’s operations with outside utilities and power agencies. Is meticulous and detail oriented.

·         Experience working with and supervising diverse departments and work groups including journeyman crafts with varied schedules, and rotational shift workers.

Ability to use independent and discretionary judgment; manage confidential information.

Benefits

The District offers a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA for medical and dependent care expenses, HRA VEBA, a variety of Life Insurance and ADD options, Deferred Compensation (401a & 457b), PERS, Short- & Long-Term Disability, Wellness Program, and a generous personal leave bank.

Salary: $160,000 to $220,000 DOE