VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

I. IDENTIFICATION

• Title: Director of Engineering (or Manager of Engineering Dependent on Experience)
• Department: Engineering
• Reports To: Vice President of Engineering, Operations & Power Supply

II. OBJECTIVES

The Director of Engineering is responsible for the overall planning and design, performance, and functions of engineering for the Cooperative. Performs diversified engineering, lands and administrative duties that require technical knowledge of electrical, civil, and mechanical applications.

Valley Electric’s Engineering area performs a number of critical utility functions:

• System Planning
• Distribution Design
• Transmission Planning
• Outage Analysis
• Generator Interconnection
• Service Staking
• Mapping & GIS
• Lands and Right-of-Way
• T&D Project Management

III. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversight, Development, and Mentoring of Engineering Department

• Directly supervises employees in the Engineering Department. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these personnel and the systems they operate/maintain.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Cooperative’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Mentoring junior Engineers, and creation of development plans for succession planning.
• Develops the departmental budget, monitors expenditures, and analyzes expense and growth on a year-to-year basis.
• Serves as Chairman of the Standards Committee which sets the standards for equipment and procedures.
• Develops, executes, and administers policies of the Cooperative as they relate to those employees within the Engineering department.
• Oversees the installation and upgrade of computer assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks, to ensure its effectiveness and compatibility with general and consumer computer functions.
• As a member of the Management Team, responsible for setting organizational goals, policies, and procedures, and input into VEA’s strategic direction for all technical functions.

Technical Engineering Analysis for System Expansion, Protection, and Planning

• Develops, presents, implements, and maintains studies to protect and improve the overall integrity and operation of the electric plant system to maintain reliability and adequacy of the electric service. Studies deal with such topics as voltage drop and sectionalizing, line loss, power requirement, power factor improvement, arc flash, transmission and substations.
• Participates in the development, implementation and maintenance of short- and long-range construction work plans for VEA’s electric system, including capital expenditures.
• Direct and lead interconnection requests and studies along with consultants.
• Directs the design of major distribution extensions into subdivisions and large power consumers including compliance with all related specifications and regulations, including NERC/WECC standards, National Electrical Safety Code, and device certification.
• Direct activities related to Graphical Information System (GIS), Mapping, and Lands support for distribution expansion, as well as updates associated with transmission and generation.

Directs Procurement and Scoping of Outside Engineering Consulting Services and Major Project Construction

• Oversees and manages the design and construction of transmission line and substations. Responsible for ensuring that all material and labor related contracts are executed resulting in material being ordered economically and timely. Coordinates schedules and project deliverables with consultant engineers and contract construction crews.
• Prepares procurement and construction bids and closes out documents associated with large and special projects.
• High Voltage transmission, substations, low voltage distribution system design
• Maintain Positive Working Relationships with Internal Departments, State Agencies, and External Stakeholders
• Coordinates and directs project related efforts with VEA’s IT, Communications, and Operations departments.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with neighboring utilities and federal and state agencies.
• Directs the acquisition of right-of-ways, easements, fee title lands and water rights. Directs the preparation of legal descriptions, maps and supporting documents for said rights.
• Responsible for administration of VEA policies and rules for the development and management of contracts with large subdivision developers and commercial and industrial services. Ensures compliance with the Cooperative’s rate schedules and line extension policies.
• Provides technical supervision, guidance, and final inspection to ensure that line construction is performed in a manner consistent with the Cooperative’s construction work plan and specifications and conforms to all applicable construction and safety requirements, standards, and codes. Implement and oversee biological environmental requirements and practices for federally and state protected plants and animals during construction activities. Ensure environmental disturbance is minimized and necessary restoration is implemented post construction.
• Provides assistance on restoration plans during major outages, as required.

The duties and key responsibilities listed herein are not the only ones the employee can be required to perform. The employee may also be expected to perform other tasks, duties and training as instructed by the Vice President of Engineering, Operations, and Power Supply, as well as the CEO.

IV. AUTHORITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• The Director of Engineering shall have full authority to carry out the responsibilities and duties of this position in conformity with established policies and procedures.
• The Director of Engineering is accountable to the management of the Cooperative for the efficient performance of these responsibilities and that, although some of these responsibilities may be assigned to another person, the accountability for the successful completion of these responsibilities cannot be.
• The Director of Engineering is required to use initiative and judgment in making decisions, remembering that the Cooperative’s best interest will be affected.
• The Director of Engineering will be expected to make suggestions for the improvement of operations and efficiency.
• The Director of Engineering shall secure the approval of the Vice President of Engineering, Operations, and Power Supply in making decisions when policies are not clear or require interpretation.

V. RELATIONSHIPS

Employee will communicate, collaborate, and cooperate with colleagues, customers, and vendors.

Inside the organization:

• The position reports directly to the Vice President of Engineering, Operations and Power Supply, with additional reporting responsibilities to the CEO.
• Reporting to the position are the Manager/Supervisor of Project Engineering, Supervisor of Lands and GIS, System Engineer(s), Engineering Technician(s), Transmission Planning Engineer(s), Engineering Project Manager(s), and GIS/Mapping Technician(s).

• Reporting may be direct or indirect, based on organizational structure.

Outside the organization:

• Outside Consultants: Engineering, environmental, permitting, IT and lands/surveying related consultants, Construction crew and environmental monitor contractors
• Other companies and organizations: Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), Creech Air Force Base, California Independent System Operator (CAISO), adjacent utilities such as NVE, WAPA, and SCE, vendors, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United State Forest Service (USFS), Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), Nye County personnel, Nevada Department of Transportation, Members, and key accounts.

VI. SPECIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education: Candidate is required to have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related Engineering degree. Professional certification or the ability to obtain such registration highly preferred.

Experience: A minimum of twelve years related cooperative industry engineering experience required for this position. Director position shall also require a portion of experience to be in management and/or supervisory positions. Experience with electric utilities, information technology systems and telecommunications systems. Alternative equivalencies to this experience may be considered at the discretion of executive management.

Manager position maybe considered if applicant does not meet the criteria for Director.

Knowledge: This position requires the application of engineering theory and practice in carrying out its responsibilities. An understanding of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and other related regulations is required.

Abilities and Skills: Position requires good oral and written communications skills. Must have the ability to work independently, perform the activities necessary to complete work assignments described in the position description and be able to handle and prioritize multiple assignments. Must have the ability to make decisions and set realistic deadlines. Ability to supervise a variety of positions and direct work of others. Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Nevada Driver's License.

Working Conditions/Work Environment: Work will typically be indoors, seated at a desk. Outside work in all kinds of weather may be required at times. Ability to work occasional irregular hours including nights and weekends. This position requires being on-call 24/7. Some travel.