Vice President, Engineering

Job Description

Summary

The Vice President, Engineering, will provide overall direction to the Engineering department. Additionally, this position will be responsible for the design, construction, and planning of electrical facilities in alignment with Chugach’s objectives.

Essential Functions

1. Provide direction and oversee the engineering and construction of Chugach’s power delivery facilities.
2. Review and approve the design and construction of new electrical facilities for continuity of electrical service across the system.
3. Support annual and long-term construction plans, and related budgets in alignment with Chugach’s strategic objectives.
4. Review current practices, benchmark against leading performers, and implement best practices to improve overall service levels and productivity; establish performance indicators and measurement systems.
5. Identify business opportunities, markets, and operating efficiencies. Develop and recommend ideas for work performance improvements.
6. Provide leadership and guidance regarding the development and implementation of processes, procedures, solutions and optimization for department functions.
7. Develop, propose, and secure approval of an organizational structure and staffing to meet present operating requirements and to anticipate future needs.
8. Oversee the training and development of staff to include identifying training needs, allocating direct and indirect resources to allow for training opportunities, and evaluating investment of training.
9. Prepare and administer Department budget. Develop annual action plan and assist management team in the identification of resources.
10. Evaluate strategies of resource allocation among divisions to maximize the effectiveness of funds.
11. Provide input and secure approval for short and long-range design or construction plans, developed, and implemented by staff.
12. Develop work standards, productivity measurements, and performance review criteria.
13. Provide input and guidance for preparation of system planning and engineering studies related to system capacity and security.
14. Manage in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and internal policies and procedures.
15. Represent Chugach in the formulation of development projects with other utilities and agencies.
16. Provide leadership for attainment of divisional goals. Counsel, review, and evaluate managers and professional staff’s performance. Review managers’ appraisals of subordinates.
17. Review and update the professional engineer ethics and standards for the Division’s professional engineering staff.
18. Serve as professional witness to support Chugach’s interest.
19. Proactively implement safety programs to provide a safe workplace for Chugach employees.
20. Set policies and direction for the Engineering Division consistent with Chugach policies and management directives. Manage adherence to policies and procedures.
21. Participate in corporate strategic planning with executive and board leadership
22. Act as a representative for Chugach in legal and agency matters.
23. Prepare and present reports to a variety of audiences to include senior leadership, the board of directors, and other utilities.
24. Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

• Chief Operating Officer: Report to, receive direction, guidance, and decisions from.
• Chief Executive Officer: Give and receive information.
• Board of Directors: Give and receive information
• Division Managers and Leadership: Confer with, give and receive information.
• Other Managers and Staff: Confer with, give and receive information.

External

• Bargaining Unit Representatives
• State and Federal Agencies: Coordinate with, give and receive information.
• Other Utilities: Coordinate with, give and receive information.

Competencies

1. Working knowledge of electric utility systems operations, construction, and maintenance. Knowledge of the effect of cold weather on operating equipment.
2. Knowledge of tools, equipment, and materials utilized in construction and maintenance of electrical utility systems.
3. Working knowledge of Uniform System of Accounts; RUS construction specifications; RUS Approved List of Materials; National Electrical Safety Code; OSHA Rules and Regulations; construction materials and practices; construction/material contracts; assembly and material specifications.
4. Knowledge in budgeting practices, financial controls, and the ability to anticipate budget requirements and evaluate financial performance.
5. Familiar with applicable municipal, state and federal requirements.
6. Proven leadership, mentoring and facilitation skills, with ability to guide, motivate and develop teams.
7. Ability to perform in a fast paced and deadline-oriented environment.
8. Ability to organize workflow, manage multiple priorities, and effectively utilize resources.
9. Ability to apply tactical applications and decision making to long-term and strategic objectives.
10. Effective verbal, written, and negotiation skills with the capability to clearly convey both technical and strategic information to various audiences.
11. Proven ability to uphold ethical and professional conduct.
12. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has supervisory responsibility for the managerial staff of the Engineering Department.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Periodic field travel to include outside meetings and inspections. Some field trips by aircraft may be required. Occasional out of state travel for meetings or training. Must be available for duty during major outages and system emergencies.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, required; power option preferred. Registered Professional Engineer, State of Alaska required. Master’s degree in engineering management or business administration, preferred. Additional training in utility construction, planning, operation, maintenance, and accounting, preferred. NRECA Management Intern Program certification, desirable.

Experience

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibility, in engineering design, construction and maintenance of substations, transmission lines and distribution facilities, including underground systems, in the electric utility industry, required. Electrical, mechanical and architectural experience, required. Experience working in a union environment, preferred.

Company Description

Chugach Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Chugach is pleased to provide reliable, affordable power to more than 92,000 members from Anchorage to the northern Kenai Peninsula, and from Whittier on Prince William Sound to Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. We service over 113,000 locations with 3,782 miles of transmission and distribution lines. We have many services that make it easy to power homes and businesses with Chugach.

A little more about us: Chugach has been around for a long time, recently celebrating 75 years! We are a stable company, in a stable industry. And while we may have stability, we are modern, sustainable and forward-thinking to ensure that we provide reliable services for generations to come. We also pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. We have several 20, 30 and 40 + year tenured employees who continue foster an inclusive, innovative corporate environment. Find your spark!

Chugach's corporate vision:

Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Chugach's corporate mission:

We provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Chugach's corporate values:

Guided by our values of safety, accountability, and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, veteran's status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable, federal, state, or local law.

Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.

Chugach Electric does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application and throughout employment. Employees must be able to provide documentation to Chugach Electric to show their identity and authorization to work.

Benefits

HEALTH BENEFITS