Northern Wasco County PUD is excited to announce a new opportunity for a Broadband Manager to join our utility team. This exempt, full-time position (40 hours per week) offers a flexible hybrid/remote schedule and the option of a 4/10 workweek.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Broadband Manager is responsible for leading the planning, implementation, and long-term operation of the District’s broadband initiative. This position provides technical oversight of engineering, construction, and network operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory and grant requirements. The role serves as a liaison with internal departments, external vendors, and community partners, ensuring successful service delivery and the long-term sustainability of the broadband program.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: We are proud to offer a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package, including but not limited to:
•100% employer-paid premium for Medical/Rx/Dental for individual and/or family coverage
•100% employer-paid premium for vision coverage for individual and/or family coverage
•100% employer-paid Basic Life Insurance 2X annual salary
•401(k) 7.5% base + 7.5% match = 15% total possible employer contribution
•100% Employer-paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability
•Business Travel Insurance
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
•Lead Broadband Program Execution: Oversee all technical aspects of the District’s broadband program, from design to long-term operations.
•Oversee Engineering & Construction: Select and manage engineering consultants and construction contractors. Secure permits, easements, and regulatory approvals for construction. Ensure designs, permitting, and builds meet technical standards, and comply with regulatory
and grant requirements
•Coordinate Vendors & Third Parties: Procure and oversee technical vendors and contractors, including engineering firms, construction teams, and network operations providers. Work with other staff to ensure compliance with State procurement laws. Approve invoices and assure quality of work.
•Build & Manage Team: Participates in recruitment, selection, and retention of department personnel. Monitors and evaluates performance of staff and work processes to ensure continuous improvement. Motivates and supports employee professional growth and development. Coaches and improves employee performance through effective communication, documentation and feedback, and performance assessments.
•Prepare for Network Operations: Plan and coordinate the setup of systems for network monitoring, maintenance, customer installations, and technical support. Provide long-term oversight of these system. Make justified recommendations for staffing and resource needs.
•Oversee Asset & Inventory Tracking: Ensure systems and processes are in place for effective tracking of network assets, materials, and equipment, to meet compliance and operational readiness requirements.
•Budget Development & Management: Assist with development of capital and O&M budgets. Manage to approved annual budgets.
•Ensure Compliance & Reporting: Support grant compliance, regulatory adherence, and provide technical documentation and updates to District leadership and community partners.
•Facilitate Cross-Departmental Coordination: Work with other internal District departments (e.g.,
Customer Service, Finance) to ensure successful service delivery and long-term operational readiness.
•Community Partner Liaison:
Interface with community partners, acting as the District’s representative on broadband-related issues.
Secondary Functions:
•All PUD employees are expected to work outside of normal business hours when required during emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects.
•Makes periodic presentations to the Board of Directors and to community partners.
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
PLEASE NOTE: This position requires the use of various tools/equipment that are related to performing the essential functions of this job.
•Effective leadership skills to produce and promote effective outcomes.
•Knowledge of broadband technologies (FTTH, GPON, active Ethernet, etc.), network architecture, permitting, and construction practices.
•Familiarity with grant-funded infrastructure projects, including compliance and reporting requirements.
•Demonstrates professional verbal and written communication skills when communicating with co-workers, PUD customers, contractors and/or outside agencies.
•Maintains a positive, courteous, and respectful attitude in all interactions.
•Effective independent decision-making skills with limited supervision.
•Exercises independent judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
•Completes timecards, reports, data tickets, logs, or similar paperwork following prescribed formats as explained by supervisor.
•Requires math skills sufficient to be able to make calculations involving fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, or other math skills normally used in accounting.
•Proficient in the use of the Microsoft 365 suite of applications.
•Strong skills in project management techniques and practices.
•Ability to manage confidential information.
•Demonstrates cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and through the valuing and welcoming of cultural differences in all position responsibilities.
•Supports the District’s mission to serve our customers and foster a safe and positive work environment by personally exhibiting behavior that aligns with the District’s Core Values & Beliefs.
•Must perform the duties of this position in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety regulations and protocols.
Supervisory and/or Functional or Technical Responsibility or Oversight:
•Supervises Broadband technical and operations staff
•Coordinates the work of outside vendors, contractors, and consultants.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Recommended Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered.
Education/Experience:
Required
•Bachelor's degree in engineering, telecommunications, information technology, project management, or a related field.
•At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in broadband, fiber optic network deployment, or utility infrastructure programs.
•Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
•Valid and current driver’s license. Driving records must be acceptable and insurable by NWCPUD insurance carrier at standard group rates. An annual consent for a release of one's driving record is also required.
Preferred
•Professional certifications such as PMP, PE, or equivalent.
•Experience working for or with public utilities or local government agencies.
•Knowledge of Oregon state procurement laws and public contracting requirements
Job Scope:
+ Decisions focus on establishing company long range objectives and strategies.
+ Tasks and information relative to this position are of a confidential and/or sensitive nature requiring strict confidentiality and professional conduct.
Mental or Visual Demand: Concentrated mental and/or visual attention; the work involves performing complex tasks to very
close accuracy and quality specifications, or a high degree of hand and eye coordination for
sustained periods.
Working Conditions: Work is typically performed under reasonably good working conditions, while exposure to any
or all of the above elements may occur, such exposure is generally not present to the extent of
being disagreeable.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, bend at waist, crouch, twist, balance on uneven ground, overhead reach, grasp, pinch, keyboard, and able to push up to 50lbs, and/or lift, pull, and carry up to 25lbs.
This organization believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not to limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors. Northern Wasco County PUD reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Northern Wasco County PUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer