Summary

Responsible for the Cooperative’s system distribution and transmission line staking, including procurement of right-of-way and preparation of staking sheets for these lines. Work closely with Operations Supervisors, Manager of Field Services and Data Analytics, district and system warehouses, and System Engineer to improve the work order flow and minimize work in progress.

Reporting

• Reports to: Director of System Planning
• Directs: Field Engineering Representative’s I & II

Responsibilities

• Assign new connections, special projects, and system improvements to the Field Engineering Representatives I & IIs.
• Plan and coordinate the distribution line staking of system improvement jobs, associated with the Work Plan, to ensure they are completed on time.
• Review in detail all completed work order jobs to ensure correct staking practices are used in accordance with Co-op policy and approved engineering principles.
• Train the Field Engineering Representatives I to perform the preliminary “work-up” on special projects, system improvements, three phase connections, and large power connections. This includes proposed routes, conductor size, requirements, requested loads, and voltages, potential problems, transformer sizing and assistance as needed.
• Conduct on-site inspections on problem jobs.
• Oversee the management of workloads of all District Field Engineering Representatives I & IIs.
• Provide technical support and standardization to Field Engineering Representatives I & II and monitor work practices, staking principles, jobs completed, efficiency, errors, goals and improvements where needed.
• Facilitate lines of communication between Field Engineering Representatives and Operations Supervisors to ensure, as much as possible, that jobs are constructed as designed.
• Be available after hours by pager and cellular phone and serve on stand-by duty.
• Ensure that subordinates attend training and oversee safety program participation.
• Advise, direct, give evaluations and hold meetings as necessary on technical and safety-related issues.
• Assist in developing annual district budgets for operations, maintenance, and capital, to be maintained throughout the year.
• Assist in special projects as necessary.

Education and Experience

• Associates degree in a related field and 5 years electric distribution design at an FER I level or higher, and correlated experience and/or training.
• Experience in PC applications for GIS, Automated Staking software, and other engineering software packages required.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to maintain professionalism and control under all circumstances.
• Has and maintains a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record and is able to operate SVEC vehicles.
• Must become and remain certified in CPR and first aid. Must also be skilled in the use of safety equipment.
• Ability to handle the challenge of operating efficiently under a very flexible schedule due to the number of unanticipated and unplanned requests for services from the various individuals, departments, and outside contacts with whom this position is involved.
• Leadership ability and the ability to motivate peers toward goal achievement.
• Strong verbal, written, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform job responsibilities in a timely manner within established guidelines under minimal supervision.
• Ability to interview and select employees.
• Ability to supervise, coach and direct employees assigned.
• Ability to work well with other departments’ personnel and to break down “silos”.
• Ability to dissect and resolve complex problems quickly and systematically.
• Complete complex staking issues to keep a steady workload out in front of crews.
• Possess effective techniques to research and access all sources necessary to fulfill position responsibilities.
• Must participate in the On-Call program for the Operations Center.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to and from work.

Physical Requirements

• Participation in SVEC job safety and training programs, relevant workshops, seminars and other SVEC sponsored courses and events.
• Must be able to use office equipment including telephone, computer, and other systems and related software in the performance of position responsibilities.
• Must be able and available, during any and all types of weather conditions, to work weekends, holidays, evenings and other times outside normal duty hours to assist in service restoration and other emergencies that may arise or when the workload demands.
• Must always maintain an operating telephone or personal communication device at his/her place of residence. Ability to contact the telephone or personal communication device must be made available to SVEC for the purpose of contacting the manager to conduct legitimate routine and/or emergency business.
• This position involves primarily inside work. Must be able to lift objects unassisted (up to 50 pounds). Some standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling to a minimal degree.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

About Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

Chartered in 1936, SVEC maintains over 8,100 miles of electric lines and serves more than 97,000 member accounts in the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Highland (all), Page (all), Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren in Virginia, and the city of Winchester (all). Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative was the first electric cooperative chartered in Virginia. SVEC is governed by a democratically elected 10-member board of directors. Each year, at SVEC’s annual meeting, directors are elected by members. Directors serve four-year terms.

Connections working at Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative