Engineer Supervisor – Operations Engineering Group

Engineer Supervisor – Operations Engineering Group

The Operations Engineering Group (OEG) Section is seeking to fill an Engineer Supervisor position to lead the Electric Transmission and Distribution Systems (ETDS) Unit. The core responsibilities of ETDS are leading asset sustainment, renewal, and upgrade for the Operations Division, providing engineering solutions, and supporting integration of new technologies.

Supervisor’s Responsibilities:

• Leading a diverse team of engineers to support the programmatic activities and operations engineering responsibilities of the unit.
• Driving toward a world-class safety culture for the Unit, Section, Department, and Division, including
  • Promoting safe work practices among contractors and direct reports
  • Ensuring safety through compliance with rules and procedures
  • Supporting department safety through design reviews, technical analysis and specifications, and after-action engagement
• Supervising staff by making hiring and pay decisions, assigning work, monitoring deadlines, and evaluating performance
• Aiding in the development of team members
• Evaluating staffing levels and developing succession planning strategies
• Regularly communicating and engaging with customers in the Operations Division
• Organizing meetings to review operational issues or concerns with customers in the Operations Division and organizing and managing resulting action items
• Developing and encouraging the foundation of relationships with customers in the Operations Division:
  • Trust
  • Accountability
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
• Developing strategies and budgetary requirements and guiding team members in support of Operations Division initiatives, goals, and programs
• Developing, recommending, and implementing policies, standards, and procedures
• Supporting the development and execution of department and group goals and initiatives

Unit’s Programmatic Activities:

• Routine condition assessment
• Transmission and distribution linear asset program management and engineering
• Project identification and collaborative system needs alignment and prioritization
• Risk modeling
• Reliability analysis and predictive modeling
• Failure and root cause analysis
• Operations and maintenance process documentation
• Engineering support for the downtown network maintenance
• Wildfire mitigation engineering support
• Compliance activities and NERC audits

Unit’s Operations Engineering Responsibilities:

• Ensuring operating efficiencies, effectiveness, and capacity through analysis and evaluation of reports and data
• Supporting Operations on various aspects of the electric distribution system and equipment from 34.5 kV down to secondary voltages and providing root cause analysis for system or equipment issues
• Providing operations support in day-to-day activities, planned outage coordination, non-planned outage investigations, fault locating, loading concerns, voltage issues, harmonics, RFI/EMF investigations, and safety/operations procedure reviews
• Reviewing the system coordination of line protection devices including reclosers, line fuses, and interrupter switches while working with distribution planning and system protection groups
• Developing logic for and analyzing data from various electronic devices such as electronic reclosers, power quality meters, RFI locating devices, and controllers for automated transfer schemes
• Performing circuit analysis reviews for feeder loading, phase balancing, voltages, reactive power, protection coordination, and contingency planning using Synergi® Electric modeling software
• Leading or providing technical expertise in the development and evaluation of existing and future distributed energy resources, microgrids, demand-side management, distribution automation and smart technology programs including documentation
• Managing activities around and participating in a Standby Engineer rotation that provides 24/7 engineering support, electric contact investigations, and communications to Enhanced Power and Large Customers
• Supporting all substation equipment, including power transformers, arc-resistant switchgear, mobile substations, power circuit breakers, high-voltage disconnect switches, high-voltage and distribution capacitor banks, and series reactors - and for relevant NERC standards (PRC-005 and FAC-008)
• Developing and maintaining substation equipment technical specifications, maintenance plans, and operating manuals
• Leading the procurement of substation equipment through working with procurement staff to manage and procure substation equipment and service contracts, including proposal evaluation
• Leading substation equipment design reviews and analyzing factory acceptance tests
• Forecasting and planning substation equipment replacements
• Analyzing and interpreting the results of substation equipment tests and recommending appropriate actions
• Analyzing and prioritizing maintenance work and developing maintenance intervals and practices for all substation equipment
• Providing expert technical support (including after-hours support based on business and project needs) for field personnel and design engineers for substation projects
• Providing expert guidance on standards for substation spare parts, materials, and equipment - and incorporating necessary materials and equipment into the system
• Developing, maintaining, and administering relevant training to substation personnel, including Substation Hazard Communication training - and training and mentoring junior engineers

What will it take to be successful? Candidates should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline. This position will require the ability to work both independently as well as develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with individuals and groups. A minimum of 7 years of experience in a technical role is required; 10+ years is preferred. Professional Engineer license is desired, but not required. Leadership experience is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary work. Even though the weight lifted may be of only negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those is negligible.
• Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions within an office working environment.
• Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Who We Are:
Colorado Springs Utilities, a four-service utility provider with a 100-year reputation of integrity, gives you an experience unmatched by other utility companies. We continuously strive to stay ahead of the business curve with our established priority to update and incorporate state-of-the-art technology and provide a work culture dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and synergy. In fact, we were recently awarded the Diamond Designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA), recognizing our utility for having some of the highest ratings in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements among the more than 2,000 public utilities in the nation. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is the perfect blend of mountain and city living. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you will enjoy nature at its finest while residing in the sixth most desired place to live in the United States (according to U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness