Engineering

Manager
Job Description

Job Classification: Exempt, Full-time
Reporting Relationship: Assistant General Manager

Primary Accountability:
The Engineering Manager is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, reviewing, and monitoring
the activities of the Engineering Department at FreeState Electric Cooperative ("Cooperative") including
the design and planning of the electric system to ensure reliable, safe and cost-effective projects are
planned, constructed and maintained at the lowest reasonable cost consistent with good engineering and
business practices. Additionally, this position manages, supervises, coordinates, directs and assists the
Engineering Department employees with the knowledge and expertise needed to provide our members
and other departments the necessary tools and information needed to complete projects efficiently and
effectively while maintaining a safe work environment.

Major Duties:
• Organizes, evaluates and directs activities involving, but not limited to, sectionalizing, OCR
maintenance, regulator placement, specification and maintenance, substation inspections,
transformer specification and maintenance, mapping program, Milsoft program, Load Research
program, meter specification and maintenance, Load Management program, SCADA system
operations and maintenance, project management, engineering files, and engineering computer
programs.
• Directs the development of construction work plans to ensure adequate service capability within
FreeState’s electrical system.
• Provides leadership, guidance, and coaching to the Engineering Department employees to ensure
Cooperative goals and objectives are met.
• Oversees the Engineering Department which includes interviewing, hiring, and training
employees, in addition to addressing complaints, implementing corrective action, and resolving
problems.
• Assists in the development of all studies required by RUS (Construction Work Plan, Long Range
Plan, Sectionalizing Study, Contingencies Study, etc.).
• Appraises the performance of Engineering Department employees, coaches employees on
performance, provides positive feedback when warranted, and encourages continued growth and
development.
• Identifies training/professional development needs and prepares employee development plans
to ensure adequate skill levels are maintained across the department.
• Ensures all work procedures and service order tasks are completed utilizing uniform practices and
procedures across both districts.
• Oversees the installations of distributed generation.
• Oversees and monitors value-added service programs for members, assists in promoting energy
efficiencies, and manages peak shave generators.
• Oversees the reviews of service orders, work orders and outage reports for accuracy and
completion.
• Oversees and prioritizes work plan projects for staking engineers and provides updated
information to the Operations Manager.
• Evaluates all engineering related software/hardware to ensure employees have the correct tools
available and installed to complete their jobs effectively and efficiently.
• Enforces all Cooperative safety rules, policies, and procedures for the Engineering Department
and takes corrective action when necessary.

• Monitors, evaluates and maintains the SCADA system including interpreting data, installing, and
specifying system information as necessary.
• Prepares, plans, and presents engineering related presentations to help educate and inform the
Board of Directors, staff and our members.
• Reviews completed work orders for compliance with applicable codes and construction practices.
If correction action is needed, documents, distributes and enforces the corrective action.
• Advises and assists management on special equipment in addition to the rebuilding and repair of
equipment.
• Manages the coordination and overall integration of engineering projects.
• Oversees the annual capital and operating budget for the Engineering Department.
• Attends meetings, workshops and seminars as directed.
• Provides necessary information for long and short-range projects and oversees the
implementation of the projects.
• Complies with the proper operating practices in the use of the Cooperative’s two-way radio
system.
• Recommends specifications of transformers, meters, regulators, and line protection devices.
• Oversees and assists in staking when requested.
• Reviews EL reports before submission to the KCC and other utilities, in accordance with required
procedures.
• Assists in the operation and maintenance of the AMI system.
• Determines and coordinates major system improvements with the Operations Manager.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Assistant General Manager.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from a college or university accredited by the
Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology is required.
• Must have or obtain a Kansas Professional Engineering (PE) certification within one (1) year of
employment.
• At least fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in electrical engineering, with
an emphasis on project planning, scheduling, supervising and budgeting, is required.
• Knowledge of electrical distribution system equipment for the purposes of designing and
documenting the new electrical services and system improvements is required.
• Knowledge of electrical construction as it interacts with electric distribution systems is required;
Experience with a public utility or rural electric cooperative is preferred.
• Knowledge of employee practices and related laws, regulations and standards.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in resource allocation, human
resources modeling, leadership techniques and the coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of the maintenance and operations of computer systems, engineering computer
applications, and basic engineering economics.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management.
• Advanced proactive customer service and follow-up skills with the ability to maintain a
professional relationship with members and staff, including times during frequent demands.
• Ability to delegate authority and achieve results through the motivation and effective
performance of others.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of
directors.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical
situations.
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Engineering Manager Job Description

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form
and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to organize, multi-task, plan and set priorities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect and cooperation amongst team members.
• Ability to exercise good judgment with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships across all levels of the Cooperative.
• Detail oriented with a high degree of accuracy and thoroughness.
• Demonstrate poise, tact, and diplomacy in daily interaction with Cooperative members and staff.

Physical Demands:
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read computer screens, mail and talk on the phone.
• Must be able to walk a mile over uneven terrain, jump ditches, and any other requirement
associated with power line construction and right-of-way clearing to observe work.
• Ability to unpack and move supplies up to fifty (50) pounds.

Work Environment:
• Professional and deadline-oriented environment in an office setting.
• Interaction with staff and members.
• Some night time and out-of-town work necessary.
• Some outside work in all types of weather.
• Must be able to report to their primary worksite after regular business hours, as soon as possible,
in the event of an emergency situation such as electrical outages, inclement weather, etc.

Additional Duties:
Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description
does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this
position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other
job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.


Employee Signature Date Supervisor Signature Date

Rev 8/2017 3
Engineering Manager Job Description