Associate Director of Electric Service VTES

Job Description

Serving as a critical member of the Infrastructure team, the Associate Director of Electric Service reports to the Director of Utilities Services with Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities at Virginia Tech. The Associate Director of the Virginia Tech Electric Service (VTES) leads a team of approximately 30 by, supervising all operational and engineering activities within the unit. This includes managing and overseeing electric system operations and improvements including engineering, generation, metering, transmission, substations, and the distribution of central primary electricity on campus and for approximately 6,000 accounts within the Town of Blacksburg. This position provides leadership and mentoring to managers and supervisors within the unit and is responsible for planning, policy development, budget development and administration, public relations, and all other administrative functions of the department. The incumbent will be responsible for the safe operation of the VTES system and will assist with and review submissions as well as administration of campus capital projects budget of approximately $1.25 million along with a maintenance reserve budget of approximately $1 million and an overall annual operating budget of approximately $33.6 million. With a continuous focus on safety, the Associate Director of Electric Service ensures reliable operation of the electric utility through routine maintenance, emergency maintenance, and other preventative maintenance. The incumbent also focuses on long-term planning strategies for the Electric Service with continual efforts to modernize electrical infrastructure and systems to enhance customer service.

The Associate Director of Electric Service will have indirect supervisory responsibility for the business function and direct supervisory responsibility for the information systems function within the Virginia Tech Electric Service. The Associate Director will review data gathered from the business and IT systems for reasonability, troubleshoot suspect data, initiate work orders where necessary, and establish parameters as needed. They will be responsible for interfacing with the Power Plant and other groups as required to monitor, trend, and assess energy consumption data for use in the evaluation and implementation of a VTES energy management plan.

The incumbent will strive to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other units within Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities. The selected candidate will work to develop and maintain positive relationships with campus and town customers.

This position is designated as “Emergency Personnel”.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in business, engineering, or related field or training and work experience that equates to an advanced degree.
• Significant management level experience in a major electric utility operation, including familiarity with FERC and state regulatory agencies, utility rate structures, and guidelines concerning electric utilities.
• Must be able to follow all safety procedures and supervise others to always follow all safety procedures.
• Considerable experience at the management level with facilities management, budgeting, people management, fiscal administration, client management, and project planning.
• Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards relating to the electric utility industry.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate with a diverse customer base in a variety of settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent service delivery to customers, administrators, colleagues, employees, students, and other constituent groups.
• Working knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.| Valid driver's license.
• Other qualifications include a demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities; excellent leadership and delegation skills; the ability to work effectively to achieve unit goals with minimal supervision and administrative support; and the ability to function effectively on a team of peer professionals.

Preferred Qualifications

 Demonstrated combined experience with engineering and business
 Significant experience in electric utility transmission, distribution maintenance, and construction activities
 Experience and demonstrated success in long-term business and multi-year fiscal planning coupled with a proven track record of progressively responsible assignments advancing into senior executive-level leadership, preferably with a public power utility.
 The ideal candidate is a goal-driven leader with in-depth knowledge of power sources, power markets, and bulk power system operations. They thoroughly understand applicable federal and state regulations and have substantial experience with financial instruments and portfolio management. They are highly skilled at managing contracts and negotiating with energy and fuel suppliers. They work well under pressure and make independent judgments and decisions.

Appointment Type

Regular

Review Date

July 6th, 2022

Additional Information

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting, with some outdoor site inspections.
• Ability to travel to and inspect various worksites which may involve entering construction sites or traversing uneven terrain, walking, standing, bending, climbing ladders, reaching, pushing/pulling. May need to safely move and handle up to 50 pounds, or more with assistance.
• Considerable sitting and repetitive motion through computer keyboarding.
• Must be able to work/visit worksites in all types of weather.
• Must have an acceptable and safe driving record.
• Must have a driver's license check.
• This position is designated as ”Emergency Personnel”.
• Must be available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week to provide support during planned emergencies or events including being physically on-site if deemed necessary.
• Some travel may be required which may include overnight stays.
• As the situation dictates, must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• This position meets the criteria for issuance of a mobile communication device (such as radio, cellphone, iPad, iPod, etc.). Devices issued are the responsibility of the employee and are to be returned in satisfactory condition upon separation of employment. Devices are to be used according to supervisor instruction and according to relevant policies.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact CPIF HR at opshr-g@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: June 17, 2022
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