Chief Engineering Officer

Position: Chief Engineering Officer

Department: Executive

Reports Directly to: General Manager/CEO

Directs: Engineering Services Supervisor and Assigned Personnel, as directed

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Chief Engineering Officer is responsible for the planning, design and integrity of BEC’s electric system. The position is one of high responsibility for reliable, economical engineering services and procedures for the Cooperative. The Chief Engineering Officer must have demonstrated leadership quality, thorough working knowledge of all aspects of cooperative engineering practices and personnel management.

The Chief Engineering Officer performs the functions of engineering and personnel management which may include, but are not limited to, supervising and developing personnel, allocating resources, developing, conducting, and monitoring accounting and member services activities in accordance with established policies, plans and objectives of BEC.

The Chief Engineering Officer will train, coach and supervise, both directly and indirectly, all aspects of routine and non-routine accounting functions. The Chief Engineering Officer ensures that work performed by subordinates is completed in an accurate, professional manner and sets an example for others of courteous, productive work procedures.

Essential Functions of Position:

Principally works indoors in an office setting.

Must possess and maintain the ability to:

Respond in a positive manner to supervision.

Work as a cooperative member of a team.

Interact in a professional and courteous manner with co-workers and members.

Successfully work within deadlines and time constraints.

Correctly operates a laptop and desktop computer and programs/systems used.

Must possess knowledge of, or demonstrate the ability to learn, various computer applications, including BEC’s design software and member information and work order system. This includes Microsoft Office spreadsheets and word processing.

Accurately and legibly completes all documentation (computerized timecards, etc.) in accordance with BEC policies and procedures and submits such documentation to the proper individuals for recordkeeping purposes

Approves time and expense sheets for assigned personnel ensuring that all time is charged accurately. Authorizes and approves requests submitted by subordinates.

Responsible for hiring and developing staff and authorizing access to confidential and sensitive information utilizing internal controls.

Directs and supervises activities of engineering department personnel.

Responsible for oversight of BEC’s electric system including planning, engineering standards and specifications, and assuring appropriate voltage, protection, power quality and facilities loading.

Responsible for oversight of BEC’s electric system design including all extensions from or modifications to the electric system. Assures adherence to and appropriate and timely improvements to affected BEC policies and procedures.

Assures procurement of appropriate rights-of-way and permits for construction activities and BEC facilities.

Assures appropriate administration of BEC’s Pole Attachment Agreements and net metering programs.

Assures appropriate relationships with all members, but especially member who have large or unique loads.

Responsible for oversight of BEC’s Interconnection Standard and for installation, operation, maintenance, and upgrades to all Distributed Energy Resource (DER) interconnections.

Provides appropriate engineering expertise as requested or required within the Cooperative,

Assures and manages appropriate relationships with all engineering contractors.

Works closely with the Chief Operations Officer and General Manager/CEO in the development of work plans to ensure adequate service capability of BEC’s electrical system.

Plans, develops and recommends overall departmental objectives and work programs to the General Manager/CEO.

Advises the General Manager/CEO of conditions affecting the department and conditions within the department that will or may affect other departments or the general overall welfare of the Cooperative.

Obtains equipment necessary for the function of the engineering department, in compliance with budget procedures.

Reviews transactions processed through Engineering.

Attends and participates in monthly or special board meetings, the annual meeting, staff meetings, and all-employee meetings.

May attend board committee meetings at the direction of the General Manager/CEO.

Works closely with other coops and state, regional and national associations.

Conducts annual performance evaluations in a timely manner.

Effectively communicates and executes the directives of the General Manager/CEO.

Effectively communicates Board Meeting goals and objectives.

Develops, communicates and reports on goals and objectives of the Engineering Department.

Must be well-organized in work and department.

Operates all coop equipment in accordance with BEC policies and procedures, safety rules, manufacturer guidelines, and regulations and/or codes and seeks input from the General Manager/CEO when information is unclear, inadequate or requires interpretation.

Plans the work of the individual assignment, as directed, so that it can be done safely, properly, orderly, and as economically as possible.

Subject to travel intra/interstate, as necessary, for training, meetings, job duties, or to provide assistance to other electric cooperatives.

Complies with all BEC policies, procedures and safety rules as they apply to the Engineering Department, and recommends to fellow workers the use and practice of the same.

Equipment Used:

Desktop computers, computer keyboards, telephones, two-way radios, printers, fax machines, paper shredders, file cabinets, desk chairs, postage machine.

Other Important Duties:

- Maintains good working relations with co-workers, BEC members and the general public.

- Represented BEC by attending schools/seminars/meetings for improvement of job knowledge and skills, when requested.

- Continually explores new ideas to enhance job performance, efficiency, productivity, and work relations. Communicates these ideas to the General Manager/CEO or designee.

- Performs other duties as may be assigned by General Manager/CEO or designee.

Experience, Training, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must maintain professional knowledge of all issues relating to member services and maintain the desire to improve industry knowledge by attending webinars, seminars, etc.

Must maintain knowledge of Cooperative’s policies related to duties of the position.

Ability to travel instar/inter-state, as necessary, for training purposes, meetings, or to provide assistance to other electric cooperatives, as required.

Must be able to deal with members, the general public and fellow employees in a professional, friendly and courteous manner.

Ability to motivate, direct, supervise, train, and coach subordinates.

Ability to move about and within an office building and on various terrains.

Ability to frequently stand and/or walk and sit for extended periods of time.

Ability to perform manual and detailed hand work using both hands, sometimes repetitively, in order to operate office equipment.

Ability to lift and/or move a box of copy paper weighing approximately 40 pounds.

Ability to perform essential functions that require frequent, prolonged viewing and use of computer monitor, keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.

Ability to speak and hear clearly in order to communicate.

Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people and personalities. Requires a high degree of interpersonal skills.

Ability to be tactful and get along with diverse groups of people and personalities. Capable of conveying a positive and professional image.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, even simultaneously, as well as coordinate projects with other employees working to consistently meet deadlines and budgets.

Ability to listen to and read instructions and other paperwork.

Ability to use judgement and reasoning skills to perform the Essential Functions of the Position.

Ability to speak, hear, understand, and communicate in English.

Must have good math and computer skills.

Ability to use office equipment including the computer and all relevant software, 10-key calculator, typewriter, fax machine, copier, phone system and various other types of business machines as required to do this job.

Must be able to perform required duties during extended hours in emergency situations.

Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position.

Ability to safeguard confidential information.

Ability to complete records and forms in an accurate and understandable manner.

The fully competent incumbent must possess the following knowledge:

Must have a working knowledge of generally-accepted engineering principles.

A working knowledge of internal controls.

Working knowledge of electrical system design.

Knowledge of working with governmental entities in the areas of compliance, dispute resolution and remediation.

Strong knowledge of ERP system, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Knowledge of safety issues affecting office workers.

Must have a working knowledge of general office practices and all administrative sections.

Ten (10) years’ experience in engineering, preferably with an electric cooperative or utility.

At least five (5) years’ experience in a supervisory position preferred.

Experience in all aspects of customer service to include proper and courteous phone, face-to-face and written communication.

Education, Degrees, Certificates, and/or License Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field, engineering degree preferred, but work experience may substitute for degree in rural cooperative.

Valid Texas Driver’s license and an acceptable driving history.

Must be eligible to be and remain insured as a driver by the Cooperative’s group liability policy for the automotive fleet.

NRECA certified in supervision and/or management. Must obtain within three (3) years of appointment of position.

This Position Description is intended to identify the essential functions of a position and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform or assume additional position-related responsibilities other than those stated in this description.

BEC reserves the right to revise or change the position responsibilities as the need arises. This Position Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The time frames mentioned for successful accomplishment of training phases are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as an implied contract of employment for any amount of time.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $150,000.00 - $190,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Professional development assistance

- Relocation assistance

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Work Location: In person