Due to an upcoming retirement, PVREA is seeking an Engineering Director to work in the Fort Collins, CO area. If you are highly motivated individual ready to be part of a forward-thinking Cooperative please review the following job description information and apply on our website www.pvrea.coop/careers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Engineering Director works under the general direction of the VP/Chief Operating Officer, and directly supervises the Systems Engineer Supervisor, Distribution Design Supervisor, Line Equipment Technician, and Project Coordinator and is responsible for distribution system design, planning, GIS mapping/data, equipment specifications and protection, with or without reasonable accommodation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assigned with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Provide leadership in the planning of the electric system to ensure adequate facilities by and implementing Long Range Plan, Construction Work Plan, Power Requirement Studies, and Cost of Services Studies. Interface with power suppliers to provide for the electrical supply requirements of the Association.
• Provide technical support for the for all Departments throughout the Association.
• Provide for coordination of the activities of outside contractors and consulting engineers regarding specific construction, maintenance or planning projects.
• Provide direction in the system design using the Association’s approved materials and construction practices, applicable codes and standards. Provide for the verification of the system construction practices through field inspection and confirmation of corrections.
• Provide direction for the Association’s mapping and engineering data maintenance.
• Assist in the preparation of loan applications, financial forecasts and rate studies of the Association.
• Prepare annual departmental budgets including proposed Construction Work Plan projects, manpower requirements and capital purchases.
• Oversee various engineering studies, including load impact, generation injection, load flow, voltage, fault current and sectionalizing.
• Manages and reviews various contracts, agreements, RFP’s.
• Oversee the purchase and maintenance of transformers, regulation and system protection equipment.
• Direct the production of records for oil management, including SPCC plans, PCB tracking, storage and disposal and EPA record keeping practices.
• Provide technical assistance for the implementation of Safety Rules and Practices that are standard in the industry and particular to the Association.
• Responsible for the development, administration and maintenance of the Association’s Joint-Use agreements.
• Serve on various internal and external committees, agencies, professional organizations and groups as may be required or for the benefit of the Association.
• Provide opportunities for the ongoing training and development of the Association’s Engineering department.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and seminars to keep informed and maintain currency of industry standards and professional certification.
• Participate in the Association’s Annual Meeting as required.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

These duties reflect the cooperative’s mission and purpose, and they are required of all employees.

• Work according to the safety rules and company policies, as adopted by PVREA and is responsible for own safety and reports all accidents in accordance with Association policies.
• Lead department to ensure alignment with the Association’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Interact with all departments of the Association as well as with members, the general public, other utility personnel, governmental agencies and equipment vendors in a kind and courteous manner.
• Collaborate effectively and successfully with fellow employees to achieve department and company-wide goals and build a team-focused environment.
• Assist in the emergency restoration of facilities during storm or general outages.
• Regular and predictable attendance are essential functions of the position.
• Perform other duties within his or her capabilities as directed by his or her supervisors.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or formal training needed: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is required, emphasis in Power preferred; Colorado P.E. license is preferred.

Experience needed: Ten years of electric distribution utility experience, with five years of direct supervisory experience required.

Knowledge, skill and abilities needed: Thorough knowledge of electric utility industry, cooperative principles and consumer service procedures.  Knowledge of and compliance with Federal and State labor law.  Thorough understanding of the National Electrical Safety Code, National Electrical Code and State or Local codes.  Skilled in coordinating inter-organizational systems and procedures.  Organized with good skills in grammar, business writing, verbal communications and personal computers.  Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks and assignments, ability to conduct work efficiently in an independent, self-directed manner.  Knowledge of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and the Colorado Revised Statutes pertaining to utilities.    

Drug/Alcohol: A drug/alcohol test is administered to all job offer recipients, as well as a background check.

Driving: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and operate a company non-DOT vehicle.

Mental Demands: This employee must be able to work well with the public, Association members, and other Association employees.  Needs to be able to remember what was done and schedule and prioritize future work, stay alert even when the work is repetitious, and work well with detail.  Must be able to learn new procedures and equipment and demonstrate flexibility in all areas.  The job may occasionally require ingenuity, problem solving, analytic ability, auditory discrimination, writing ability and imagination.  This job can be stressful at times; however, composure must be maintained at all times with members and co-workers.

Physical Demands:   Must be capable of performing the Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• The Engineering Director spends approximately 30% of the day walking, 10% of the day in a vehicle and 60% of the day sitting at a desk (percentages will vary depending on the work to be accomplished).
• Ability to operate all types of electrical and electronic test equipment which requires mental acuity, deductive skills and fine motor movement skills.
• Hills must be climbed, streams crossed (with or without a bridge), and fences gone over or under. These obstacles require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling and reaching.
• Balancing is constantly necessary when sitting, standing or walking.
• Reaching, handling and fingering are done frequently while working at a desk, answering phone, etc.
• Talking clearly in an ordinary tone is done constantly on a daily basis; hearing ordinary conversations is also constantly necessary.
• Seeing near is frequently important when reading and writing; seeing far, depth perception, visual acuity, color vision and field of vision are necessary when driving a vehicle.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Electrical testing equipment, including but not limited to, voltmeters, ammeters, TTR, ohmmeters, meggers, earth resistance testers, digital and infrared cameras and specialized equipment.  General office equipment including but not limited to personal computers, standard office word processors, spreadsheets, databases, copiers, scanners, phones and plotters; additional specialized software may include engineering analysis and equipment software.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Engineering Director spends about 90% of time indoors or in a vehicle.  The remainder of the time is spent outdoors in all kinds of weather.  Must be able to tolerate direct sun, cold winds and other types of inclement weather.  The estimated noise level may be 50-90 decibels.

 NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. 

We are an EEO employer.