Electric System Field Ops Director, AE - Distribution Maintenance & Modernization

Job Description:

Electric System Field Ops Director, AE - Distribution Maintenance & Modernization

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Under minimal supervision, this position is responsible for and leads a division of operations that constructs, maintains, operates, or restores the transmission, substation, relay, or distribution system. Responsible for leading and promoting a culture of safety, quality, compliance, and next-level human performance.

Job Description:

Purpose:
Under minimal supervision, this position is responsible for and leads a division of operations that constructs, maintains, operates, or restores the transmission, substation, relay, or distribution system. Responsible for leading and promoting a culture of safety, quality, compliance, and next-level human performance.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties maybe assigned.

• Directs the construction, maintenance, operation, and restoration of the transmission, substation, relay, or distribution system, its associated personnel and infrastructure.
  
• Establishes expectations for effectiveness of work management and construction activities, equipment, and systems in a productive, economic, and safe manner while adhering to policies, procedures, guidelines, and external regulatory requirements.
  
• Evaluates and monitors departmental and interdepartmental accountability and productivity to meet customer and business operations requirements. Establishes quality control measures to track effectiveness of operations and personnel and to correct any gaps or compliance issues.
  
• Focuses on cost-effective operations, maintenance, and construction practices while striving to achieve operational excellence.
  
• Provides direction to operational staff to ensure customer needs are met using an array of communication tools. Provides the necessary personnel and tools to meet key project milestones and strategic objectives and performance measures.
  
• Provides oversight and coordination of activities for each of the business units to support the Electric Service Delivery (ESD) needs of industrial, commercial, and residential customers, contractors, consultants, and developers.
  
• Ensures compliance with all safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental compliance, and industry standards.
  
• Develops and manages responsible Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget sand develops and executes mitigation strategies to address variances.
  
• Generates business case analysis including cost versus benefit and risk analysis.
  
• Manages short- and long-term strategic initiatives to achieve strategic objectives and key performance measures.
  
• Serves as a subject matter expert and business liaison to Executive team, other AE organizations, COA staff, customers, and other stakeholders.
  
• Ensures overall standards of conduct, human performance, and safety are maintained within the organization.
  
• Develops and implements business plans that promote completion of the overall COA business/strategic plans and initiatives. Recruits, develops, and retains a high-performing workforce, including management and operations staff, to ensure completion of assigned goals and objectives.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, and policies.
  
• Knowledge of electric utility processes, practices, issues, and policies.
  
• Knowledge of ERCOT operating guides and protocols.
  
• Knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Standards.
  
• Knowledge of ISO or other Quality Management systems and ability to implement corrective actions and process changesto drive continuous improvement.
  
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation and ability to meet financial and budget performance metrics.
  
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.Skill in oral and written communications.
  
• Skill in assessing industry trends and responding to industry pressures.
  
• Skill in diversity management.
  
• Ability to assimilate and act timely on conflicting, incomplete, and disparate information to meet overall objectives.
  
• Ability to embrace the principles of equal opportunity, diversity, inclusion, continuous improvement and change.
  
• Ability to coach and develop subordinate staff.
  
• Ability to understand and explain complex issues to non-utility stakeholders and to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to analyze and resolve irregular events.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible related work experience, including three (3) years of experience which were in a supervisory capacity.
  
• Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to Engineering, Business, or Construction Science may substitute for three (3) years of the non-supervisory experience.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required: None.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading safety initiatives and programs in an electric utility environment.
  
• Experience managing multiple managers/supervisors and work units within the electrical utility industry.
  
• Experience leading and/or managing cross-functional teams, organization, or work groups.
  
• Experience presenting complex technical information to executive leadership, external stakeholders, and non-technical audiences.
  
• Experience operating within the Incident Management Team (IMT) structure and in leading teams during large restoration events.
  
• Broad knowledge of the electric utility industry, including emerging trends, key issues, operational practices, and applicable safety standards and regulatory requirements.
  
• Experience leading teams responsible for electrical maintenance, illumination, network construction and maintenance, and/or smart grid operations.
  
• Experience with developing, preparing, and managing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budgets.
  
• Experience with developing and managing electric utility specific technology, personnel, equipment, and/or material support contracts.
  
• Experience leading complex, time-sensitive projects.
  
• Advanced knowledge of quality management concepts, methods, practices and techniques.
  
• Ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties.
  

Notes to Candidate:

The Electric System Field Operations Director position will direct and coordinate day-to-day operations within the Distribution Maintenance & Modernization group and is responsible for leading and promoting a culture of safety, quality, compliance, and next-level human performance.

The Distribution Maintenance & Modernization group is comprised of the following: Electrical Maintenance & Illumination, Network Construction & Maintenance, and Smart Grid Operations.

The Director of Distribution Maintenance & Modernization will have strategic oversight of staff and budgetary operations, including the evaluation of performance metrics and the implementation of corrective actions to address issues as they arise.

Location: 2412 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas

Days and Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Other hours outside of normal work schedule may be required.

Salary: Commensurate depending on qualifications and experience.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more.

Assessments:
Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing. Candidates moving forward in the interview process will receive information and instructions for preparing a short presentation to be given as part of the interview process.

Essential:
This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a city-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates,
  
• job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fi elds that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

IF YOU ARE SELECTED AS A TOP CANDIDATE:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-12-31