Line Operations Senior Manager

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation's largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

The Line Operations Senior Manager provides leadership and management for the delivery of electrical service for the bulk of the Department service area, including construction and maintenance of the utility's transmission and distribution system. This position is responsible for ensuring that capital improvement projects and maintenance work is performed in a safe and efficient manner. This role oversees the direct deployment of electrical crews to ensure the utility's customer service, maintenance, reliability, and safety goals are achieved. They are also responsible for managing team supervisors and overseeing the work of 200 skilled craft and trade employees who are responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of City Light's Electrical Transmission & Distribution System.

This position will report to the Transmission & Distribution Officer.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead large construction development projects requiring complex overhead, underground, and/or streetlight configurations for the safe delivery of electrical energy
• Provide oversight of the delivery of electrical construction services to customers in coordination with the Customer Care Division and Design Engineering
• Plan and manage workload and efficient allocation of resources to meet customer requirements
• Resolve complex personnel and management issues such as hiring, training, performance evaluations and labor relations
• Conduct workload forecasting and planning
• Provide oversight of field worksites for safety and proper technical work practices and procedures
• Respond to City officials, business and community groups and the general public regarding the Transmission and Distribution electrical system, customer service and other unit activities
• Providing Seattle City Light with oversight of electrical construction, maintenance, and emergency response for overhead, underground, and streetlight systems serving the downtown customers. Directly responsible for service continuity and reliability.
• Overseeing the construction of system improvements to support new customers or enhance services to existing customers.
• Providing leadership for communications management by working to remove barriers that hamper utility-wide communications between employee workgroups, customers and other stakeholders.
• Creating and sustaining an environment that supports decision making and accountability throughout the utility.
• Providing direction to the National Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance as it relates to issues regarding the City's Transmission and Distribution system.
• Providing oversight for prioritizing work activities, deployment of crews & equipment. Manages labor & non-labor budgets associated with electric construction, operation & maintenance activities.
• Formulating policy and program recommendations that support and enhance city-wide goals and objectives and provide for the appropriate allocation of resources.
• Establishing and nurturing highly effective relationships with employees, customers and stakeholders that support and advance business goals and objectives. Works to remove barriers that hamper inter-and intra-department communications.
• Identify operational enhancements and efficiencies for the system or process improvements for the organization. Take action to implement these changes and be the change agent for them.
• Manager may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays and long hours during emergency outage situations and storm activity.
• Strive to improve the Utility to deliver best in class customer service to fulfill our mission.
• This position will work out of both the City Light North Seattle Service Center and South Seattle Service Center.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice .

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Education: A Bachelor's degree in engineering, economics, business administration, public administration or related field or a combination of related education, training, skill and experience.

Experience: Extensive management and leadership experience in utility engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance or related area of responsibility; 5 or more years of progressively responsible supervisory or management level experience.

Certification/License: Current Washington State Driver's License or ability to acquire Washington State Driver's license within 90 days of employment.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Experience in the construction and maintenance activities of overhead and underground transmission and distribution systems.
• Knowledge of public sector organizational practices, including labor relations and budgeting.
• Experience resolving complex personnel issues.
• Knowledge of applicable Washington State electrical utility safety rules and work practices.
• Skilled communicator capable of leading teams in an ever-changing environment.
• Experience collaborating with technical teams and field personnel to make difficult decisions, drive innovation, and accomplish work with limited resources.
• Strong ability to set clear expectations and to coach, counsel, and develop employees in a diverse workforce.
• Ability to lead and influence peers to continually improve culture, policies, and procedures.
• Experience building teams focused on customer service and operational excellence.
• Experience managing electric utility crews.
• Experience taking a large complex project and integrating it into field operations.
• Experience creating and sustaining a workforce that values diversity.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is hourly rate $56.58 to hourly rate $93.34.

Application Process

It is preferred that you please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply : This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance , SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 . A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020 . Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: Careers at Seattle City Light - City Light | seattle.gov

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov