Planner Scheduler

Job Title

This position is responsible for short-range planning and scheduling operational processes, analyzing results, and supporting the implementation of process improvements with an eye on maximizing operational productivity and efficiency associated with FirstEnergy's work management system.

Job Description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers' lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with Jersey Central Power & Light Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

Location – Lakewood, NJ

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and direct a solid commitment to all aspects of safety.
• Assist in providing reliable support to operations supervision by planning and scheduling activities, managing the work queue, staffing, equipment, materials, tools, switching orders, permits, work package instructions, etc. required to operate, maintain and/or construct overhead/underground line facilities.
• Develop a firm two-week plan of assigned operations center activities, and a one-month projection of anticipated future activities providing management with a daily work plan and job contingency strategy.
• Assist supervision in establishing work commitment dates and take steps to expedite projects when necessary and/or practical, as well as adjust schedule daily due to changes in available resources and/or other external conditions.
• Reflect lines employees crewing and vehicle assignments in CLICK and dispatch work daily to assigned crews.
• Utilize CLICK to create the troubleman/serviceman schedule and assign work.
• Participate in interactions with internal/external customers on inquiries concerning construction and maintenance activities.
• Coordinate work request activities with the appropriate groups to establish job start and completion dates.
• Aid in performing pre-construction work request assessments to facilitate optimal resource utilization.
• Ensure UG Utility locates are completed (i.e., OUPS, PA ONE CALL, MISO Utility Tickets).
• Ensure switching/hold offs are completed.
• Manage time and priorities, and update management on work in progress, backlog of work, section productivity and all other applicable status updates.
• Assist management by providing technical reports and metrics to ensure compliance with FirstEnergy practices and procedures. Interpret report analysis and prepare recommendations based on analysis.
• Collaborate with Consolidated Planning regarding alignment between the actual work and the budgeted annual work plan, review actual work hours vs forecasted and provide variance explanations and communicate areas requiring forecast adjustments.
• Follow existing processes and improvement practices to develop and support appropriate documentation, communication, and training.
• Discuss work to be performed with operations team to address special needs, equipment, vehicles, flaggers, and review prints when necessary.
• Plan and schedule accelerated/service work.
• Assist during emergencies and storm-related activities and travel to various off-site locations as well as FirstEnergy office locations, training facilities and customer sites, when requested.
• Attend all required regulatory training.
• Gain knowledge of planning/scheduling best practices, processes, and tools.
• Gain knowledge of National Electric Safety Code (NESC), National Electric Code (NEC), Customer Guide for Electric Services (CGES).
• Gain an understanding of the Company's Accident Prevention Handbook and Manual of Operations and the practical application in the workplace.
• Gain knowledge of the purpose, function, and operating characteristics of equipment, distribution design, residential, commercial, and utility electrical distribution systems, and construction methods, maintenance practices, service practices, standards, and procedures.
• Gain an understanding and knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements as appropriate.
• Provide day to day support to supervision and other employees on assigned activities.

Qualifications

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology or related discipline + 0-1 years related work experience. In lieu of Bachelor's Degree, minimum of 2 years related work experience is required. Related work experience includes customer service and knowledge of planning/scheduling/prioritizing of work for self or others.
• Knowledge of procedures, work methods, materials, equipment, and tools which would be used to determine the resources necessary to perform construction and maintenance work activities is a plus.
• Professionalism to work with engineer and management personnel, as well as interface and work cooperatively with customers, contractors, and the general public, in a courteous manner that demonstrates FirstEnergy's rules of engagement.
• Self-motivated and able to multitask and balance competing priorities.
• Possess solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook), along with knowledge of SAP, geographical information system (GIS), customer request work scheduling (CREWS), CLICK, power outage reporting system (PowerOn), computer aided drafting (CAD/AutoCAD), and Energy Delivery Outage Application. Experience with database query tools.
• Must have personal vehicle to commute to various facilities and locations as required and possess a valid driver's license.

Qualifications at the Lines Planner/Scheduler II level include all the above plus:

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology or related discipline + 1-2 years related work experience. In lieu of Bachelor's Degree, minimum of 3 years related work experience is required.

Qualifications at the Lines Planner/Scheduler III level include all the above plus:

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology or related discipline + 2-4 years related work experience. In lieu of Bachelor's Degree, minimum of 5 years related work experience is required.

Qualifications at the Lines Planner/Scheduler IV level include all the above plus:

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology or related discipline + 4-6 years related work experience. In lieu of Bachelor's Degree, minimum of 7 years related work experience is required.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.