Position Summary
The Director of Engineering provides direction, oversight and management for the System Planning & Major Projects, Standards & Material Inventory, Joint Use, and Engineering GIS departments. The Director of Engineering oversees the technical application and utilization needs associated with distribution utility infrastructure including capacity, forecasting, data recording, and materials. Responsibilities also include ensuring departmental activities align with corporate goals, are conducted safely and efficiently, and effectively meet the needs of the other departments they support. Additionally, to ensure operational excellence, the Director develops work procedures, manages budgets, negotiates contracts with consulting firms and contractors, and interfaces with regulatory entities and stakeholders.
Primary Position Responsibilities
- Accountable for ensuring that their department functions and activities are performed in a safe, efficient, and effective manner in accordance with standard utility practice, good engineering principles, applicable codes and regulations, and the rules and policies of CoServ.
- Supervise, coach, motivate, and lead managers of their department including holding employees accountable for achieving desired results.
- Oversee the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets for System Planning & Major Projects, Standards & Material Inventory, Joint Use, and Engineering GIS cost centers.
- Direct and oversee the preparation of engineering studies including but not limited to Construction Work Plan (CWP), long range planning study, and all other utility requirements studies such as interconnection, cathodic protection, or arc flash studies
- Direct and oversee major distribution system design and construction including management of professional engineering contractors which may be utilized in the engineering of these projects.
- Approve the design, layout, staking, plan preparation, cost estimating and coordination for all overhead and underground utility construction including construction work plan projects, thoroughfare widening or relocations projects, distribution feeder extensions and additions, and other infrastructure upgrade projects.
- Directs the creation of engineering drawings that effectively communicate design details to field personnel and contractors while maintaining a high level of accuracy for bill of materials and cost estimates.
- Direct and oversee the research and development of standards, specifications, and application best practices for distribution utility equipment.
- Direct and oversee the inventory coordination, forecasting, and management of CoServ’s material supplier ensuring appropriate inventory levels are achieved for projects.
- Direct and oversee the utilization of GIS platforms and ensuring data accuracy for design entry, as built recording, and data analysis to facilitate efficient engineering and operational activities.
- Direct and oversee the administration of joint use department including the negotiation and enforcement of contracts with attachment operators to facilitate timely and accurate revenue collection for such activities.
- Coordinate with other departments and solicit input and feedback on the development of specifications, inventory levels, and inventory controls and processes for distribution system devices.
- Interface, provide support, and coordinate with transmission service provider on planning and construction of transmission and substation projects for CoServ’s system.
- Act as subject matter expert for technical compliance matters associated with NESC, NEC, ANSI, OSHA, ERCOT and other governmental or regulatory requirements.
- Develop and enforce work procedures, rules, and policies to ensure that work and activities performed by department employees comply with CoServ’s tariff, policies, standards, specifications, criteria and rules, and the regulations of entities with regulatory authority.
- Establish internal controls and enforce approval level authorities for departmental operational and capital expenditures.
- Determine departmental staffing and engineering consultant requirements and acquire needed staffing with appropriate and required approvals including negotiate rates, terms and conditions and contracts with engineering firms for required consultant staffing.
- Develop with other stakeholders, implement, and oversee employee development program for CoServ design and engineering personnel.
- Provide technical oversight in the research and development of standards and specifications for utility design and construction, distribution line material purchasing, and engineering design and philosophy documents and guides.
- Oversee and approve periodic updates of the CoServ Distribution Reference Guidelines, which serves as the technical reference manual for design best practices and competency guidelines for the employee development program.
- Conduct and facilitate training as a subject matter expert on utility engineering topics related to material selection and application, GIS, joint use, engineering analysis, and utility code application.
- Recommend and approve all necessary annual changes for CoServ Electric and Gas Service Policy to ensure adherence to pertinent local and national codes and CoServ operational requirements.
- Negotiate terms with consulting firms to provide engineering and design services to CoServ.
- Manages professional engineering contractors which may be utilized in the engineering of certain projects.
- Interface and coordinate with city, county and state entities and representatives, members, developers, contractors, engineering, and operations personnel and other CoServ departments related to service requests and line construction projects.
- Provide written responses for legal or regulatory actions and includes verbal testimony before legal and regulatory entities.
- Maintain business relationships with City, County, State, and Regulatory authorities and includes appearances before City, County or State authorities.
- Negotiate and act on behalf of CoServ Electric and CoServ Gas regarding service certification subject matters.
- Complies with established CoServ safety and operating rules, procedures and guidelines including reporting unsafe practices to a supervisor.
- Complies with established CoServ Information Security Handbook, policies, procedures, and guidelines including reporting suspected information security incidents to Tech Support.
Secondary Position Responsibilities
- Provide support and technical direction to CoServ personnel for all aspects of Engineering areas or responsibility.
- Serve and represent CoServ on local and/or national technical committees.
- Participates as a voting member for technical items related to CoServ’s Standards Approval process.
- Maintain good working relationship and facilitate good communications between their departments and all other departments at CoServ.
- Reviews completed work orders and cost data to assure conformance with plans and acceptability of construction charges.
- Coordinates design efforts with Business Development to ensure utilization of accurate costing information and supports business acquisition.
- Assist in technical training of Design Services and Operations employees and other employees as directed or requested.
- Actively promote CoServ’s objectives, plans, programs, and goals.
- Attend meetings, conferences, schools, and workshops to maintain and increase knowledge about utility best practices, engineering practices, and codes and regulations.
- Demonstrate continuous improvement by establishing metrics and streamlining processes for a positive member experience.
- Participates in CoServ’s Leadership Communications Team (LCT) and Emergency Response Program (ERP).
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of NEC and NESC codes, applicable codes and regulations, standard utility practice, good engineering principles, and CoServ tariffs, service rules, policies, and line extension policies.
- Stay alert to public and political questions that may arise and develop an informed response.
- Attends CoServ University training as required.
- Performs other duties and activities as directed.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Direct reporting departments include System Planning & Major Projects, Standards & Material Inventory, Joint Use, & Engineering GIS.
- Manage a department of approximately 40 employees in office and field settings.
- Including contract employees and consultants as needed to meet project timelines.
Assures employees understand the hazards associated with the work to be performed, safety rules that apply and the proper procedures to perform their work safely.
- Directs design and engineering staff.
- Ensure subordinates adhere to the CoServ policies and procedures.
- Communicates Company policies to employees.
- Provides employee development opportunities.
Position Requirements
Education, Experience, and Certifications Required
- High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalency.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, AND fifteen (15) years of utility distribution and/or operations experience with a minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience
- Registration as Professional Engineer in Texas OR ability to be licensed within 6 months of hire.
Education, Experience, and Certifications Preferred
- PMP Certification OR Master’s in Business Administration, Engineering, or related technical field.
Skills and Abilities Required
- Proficient in oral and written communications.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and strict timelines.
- Excellent decision making, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Proven planning, organizing, and leadership skills while being team oriented.
- Must be capable of effectively executing company objectives and goals.
- Results oriented leader with proven success in managing expectations, communications, and technical areas of expertise.
- Demonstrated strengths in time management, project management, follow-up, and execution.
- Ability to create win/win situations in conflict resolutions.
- Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint, Visio, and Power Point.
Skills and Abilities Preferred
Physical Requirements
- Works both in the office and outdoors.
- Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
- Drives company vehicle as needed.
- Operates office equipment such as a computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, etc.
- Ability to sit for long periods of time.
- Works in potentially hazardous conditions caused by pets and wildlife in or near the work site.
- Works in areas with possible exposure to poison oak, poison ivy, and insect stings.
Other Requirements
Must have and maintain a valid Texas driver's license.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)