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Manager, Distribution Operations Engineering
Job Summary:
This leadership position manages the Distribution Operations Engineering organization and is responsible for providing strategic and technical leadership for engineering programs that support the safe, reliable, resilient, and efficient operation of Portland General Electric's electric distribution system. Reporting within the Standards, System Health & Maintenance organization, this role leads a team of engineers responsible for power system analysis, scoping distribution reliability and resiliency improvements, supporting outage restoration, system planning, power quality, industrial customers, and continuous improvement of electric system operations. This position support engineers at our operations centers west of the West Hills of Portland south past Salem and can be based in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and possibly other operations centers in this region.
As the leader of this critical engineering function, you will provide direction and oversight for engineering activities supporting control center operations, field operations, planned and emergent system work, distribution outage coordination, switching strategies, operational technology systems, and emergency response activities. The organization serves as a key technical resource for electric system operations by developing engineering solutions and operating strategies that maintain reliability, support customer service, reduce operational risk, and improve situational awareness across the power system.
This role partners closely with the System Control Center, Power Delivery Operations, System Planning, Maintenance Engineering, Project Management Office, Customer Service, Local Government Affairs, Key Customer Managers, and external reliability organizations to ensure that operational decisions, grid technologies, engineering analyses, and operational obligations are effectively coordinated and executed.
The position is accountable for advancing operational excellence through engineering analysis, outage readiness, system restoration planning, grid modernization initiatives, and reliability performance improvement programs. The role also develops technical capability across the organization, provides leadership during system emergencies and abnormal operating conditions, and serves as a key advocate for safety, reliability, resiliency, and operational excellence across PGE's electric system.
Key Areas of Accountability:
• Distribution Operations Engineering leadership and organizational performance
• Control center engineering support and operational decision support
• Power system analysis and support
• Grid reliability, resiliency, and risk management
• Outage restoration and emergency response engineering
• System operating plans and outage coordination
• Operational technology, ADMS, and control system support
• Power quality and specialized customer reliability technical support
• Grid modernization and advanced distribution management initiatives
• Distribution system modeling and analytics
• Reliability improvement and system hardening programs
• Financial management and resource planning
• Talent development, technical mentoring, and succession planning
Key Job Information-
Manager, Distribution Operations Engineering 6755
Grade 9
Career Level: M2
Manager
Manages professional associates and/or supervisors
Is accountable for the performance and results of a team
Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges
Decisions are guided by policies, resources and business plan; receives moderate guidance from manager
Provides subject matter guidance to associates, colleagues and/or customers
Key Responsibilities:
Operations Engineering Management Manages a team of operations engineering professionals in one or more of distribution operations, transmission operations, or power quality subfunctions responsible for coordinating with crews and other operations personnel to operate electric power distribution and transmission systems to meet power demands with adequate distribution of electricity. Performs system analyses and provides real-time engineering support to ensure reliable operation of transmission and distribution systems. Provides technical management for the team, ensuring that objectives are met and all relevant standards/procedures are followed; ensures that operational problems are identified and resolved; ensures that operational procedures and working practices are current and fit for the purpose.
Distribution Operations Management Manages the Distribution Operations subfunction providing distribution engineering support for capital and maintenance activities. Recommends improvements associated with design and construction of overhead and underground distribution facilities, standards, operations, materials and new technology. Designs, operates and maintains facilities with emphasis on high reliability and quality of service. Supports field operations, customer account management, OPUC liaisons and key stakeholder groups.
Financial Management Monitors and manages expenditures, ensuring that all financial targets are met, and examines any areas where budgets/expenditures vary from plan; assists with the definition and operation of effective financial controls and decision making.
Resourcing Oversees resourcing decisions and planning for team; partners with HR in the definition of jobs, recruitment, evaluation and selection processes.
Professional Development Reviews organizational development needs and training strategies to determine required learning and development outcomes for the team; provides guidance in the creation of development plans; monitors ongoing progress and provides coaching and mentoring and provides feedback; completes annual performance management reviews.
Education/Experience/Certifications:
Education Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.
Experience Prefer eight or more years in engineering. Certifications, Licenses and Training Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred; may be required based upon role. Must be able to obtain the NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):
Functional Competencies-
Advanced knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
Advanced understanding and application of engineering processes and procedures; working knowledge of other related departments and functions.
Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.
Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
Intermediate knowledge of construction feasibility.
Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
Advanced knowledge of process, procedures for project controls and estimates.
Advanced knowledge of system protection design practices and application.
Advanced knowledge of system protection design practices and application.
Advanced knowledge of applicable codes and standards related to the design and operation of the electrical distribution system.
Advanced skill designing overhead and underground distribution facilities including relevant civil and electrical subsystems.
Advanced knowledge of real-time and off-line power flow and power system analysis software applications.
Advanced knowledge of work management, asset management, GIS and outage management software applications.
Advanced knowledge of distribution protection schemes and device coordination principles.
General Competencies-
Advanced analytical thinking skills.
Advanced decision-making skills.
Advanced knowledge of the utility industry.
Advanced organization and prioritization skills.
Intermediate organization management skills.
Intermediate resource management skills.
Advanced risk management skills.
Advanced written and oral communication skills.
Advanced ability to manage stakeholders.
Leader Practices-
Drives Results
Plans and Aligns
Decision Quality
Drives Engagement
Courage
Physical and Cognitive Demands:
Cognitive Level-
Substantial:
Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).
Cognitive-
Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
Ability to follow accuracy standards
Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
Demonstrates sound memory
Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Schedule/ Attendance:
Ability to work long hours
Ability to work a variable schedule
Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
Ability to work shift schedule
Ability to work on-call schedule
Physical Capabilities:
• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Frequently (at least once a week or more)
• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lbs.
• Carrying: Up to 10 lbs.
Environment - Indoor/Outdoor (check all that apply):
• Office
• Plant
• Field
Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity.
PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.
Join us today and power your potential!
Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.
PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.
To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.
