Director of Generation Operations

General Purpose This position is responsible for the overall operation of the Burlington Electric Department (BED) McNeil Generating Station and Chace Mill Winooski One Hydroelectric generation assets. Additionally, this position is responsible for the maintenance and capital improvement for Chace Mill Winooski One Hydroelectric, Airport Solar, and BED Pine Street Solar facilities. The Director of Generation Operations will be responsible for providing high quality leadership, communication, and management for McNeil operations, and Winooski One personnel.

Union Affiliation: Non-Union

Pay Grade M30: $122,335.62 – $189,728.45 Annually

Remote Tier 2: Up to four (4) days remote/month

Essential Job Functions

• Manage the generating facilities and fuel procurement in accordance with current Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) mandates, other State and Federal requirements and City Charter provisions.
• Supervise McNeil Shift Supervisors and Winooski One Hydroelectric personnel to ensure that their specific duties and responsibilities are being fulfilled in a prudent and professional manner.
• Seek input from employees, provide feedback and recognize good performance; lead employees and at times make tough and sometimes unpopular decisions; and hold employees accountable for meeting established expectations and following procedures.
• Ensure that employees reporting to them and outside contractors at the generating facilities follow applicable safety rules and adhere to the BED/IBEW Collective Bargaining, Agreement, Personnel Manual, and Accident Prevention Manual.
• Develop and manage the annual fiscal year operating and capital budgets for Winooski One Hydroelectric and Solar Generation facilities.
• Provide input in the development of the annual fiscal year operating and capital budget for the McNeil Generating Station.
• Oversee maintenance activities of McNeil Generation Station wood and ash loaders.
• Develop, maintain, and implement BED’s Winooski One Hydroelectric and Solar Generation facilities five-year capital plans.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Operations inspections for McNeil Generating Station.
• Develop, implement, and maintain inspection and maintenance plans for BED’s Winooski One Hydroelectric and Solar Generation facilities.
• Plan, coordinate, and schedule BED’s Winooski One Hydroelectric outages.
• Schedule McNeil Generating Station annual outage.
• Assist with troubleshooting and solutions after forced outages at the McNeil and the Gas Turbine asset to get them operational in a safe and effective manner.
• Responsible for repairs and solutions after forced outages at the Winooski One Hydroelectric asset as needed to get it operational in a safe and effective manner. Ensure final field inspection of all Winooski One Hydroelectric projects are performed.
• Perform job safety checklists, procedural checks, and work closeouts with staff and contractors that are working on site at Winooski One Hydroelectric.
• Perform job safety checklists, procedural checks, and work closeouts with Operational staff that are working on site at McNeil Generating Station.
• Oversee Winooski One Hydroelectric and Solar projects to ensure they are adequately managed in terms of labor, materials, schedules, and closeout.
• Coordinate with Director of Generation Engineering and Maintenance, Chief Forrester, Environmental Specialist, and other supervisors regarding activities and operating conditions.
• Keep the McNeil Joint Owners informed on issues and concerns at McNeil Generating Station.
• Work with BED’s Policy & Planning Department to coordinate effective and economic operations of BED generation facilities and to support innovation projects that are complementary to generation facilities.
• Maintain a communicative and cooperative liaison between BED and its customers, other City Departments, City, State and Federal leaders, utilities, regulators, and others, as appropriate, relative to matters of mutual interest and expertise.
• Coordinate with BED’s Policy & Planning Department on RPS requirements in other States to maximize REC sales for all generation owned by BED.
• Prepare specifications for proposed engineering services and new equipment at Winooski One Hydroelectric, Airport Solar, and BED Pine Street Solar facilities. Evaluate proposals, review design drawings and calculations, and oversee installation.
• Ensure generating stations are operating within local, State, and Federal permitted limits for water and air quality control.
• Keep abreast of all generating facilities safety policies and procedures and ensures employees maintain awareness and adherence.
• Consult on and assist the Director of Safety in preparing revisions to the generating facilities portion of the Accident Prevention Manual.
• Develop and implement written Standard Operating Procedures for McNeil Plant shift employees, and Winooski One Hydroelectric personnel.
• Prepare and submit routine reports, including but not limited to, operating reports and bid pricing changes.
• Submit all compliance certifications required for any BED generating facility.
• Learn and perform the duties of the McNeil 12-hour Shift Supervisor in emergency situations.
• Learn and perform the duties of BED’s Power Production Technician related to Winooski One Hydro Station in emergency situations.
• Train other staff on the duties of BED’s Power Production Technician related to Winooski One Hydro Station.
• Learn and become a qualified Level 1 and 2 Operator for BED Gas Turbine.
• Perform direct backup responsibilities to the Director of Generation Engineering and Maintenance.
• Develop and implement written training plans for McNeil shift employees and Winooski One Hydro personnel.
• Respond to public concerns regarding generating facilities as needed.
• Conduct tours for the public and technical visitors as needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development
• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, or Engineering Technology is required.
• Eight (8) years of experience in power generation, utility, construction, manufacturing, or engineering is required, including leadership or management experience.
• Basic knowledge of the combustion process, hydraulics, lubrication, electricity and electronics, heat transfer, control logic, valve types, and engineering units required.
• Ability to work with control systems and software is required.
• Demonstrated computer competency in word processing, spreadsheets, and email required.
• Experience managing capital and expense budgets is required.
• Must possess demonstrated leadership and communication skills and an established record of motivating and empowering employees, holding employees accountable, and coordinating self-managed teams.
• Ability to communicate and interact with all BED employees, vendors, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to work well with customers and elected/appointed officials in high public profile positions is essential.
• Ability to effectively manage the Generating Facilities in such a manner that BED is able to meet its strategic mission, goals, and objectives.
• Experience in confined space, arc flash and lockout/tag out procedures.
• Working knowledge of National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code, and VOSHA/OSHA Standards required.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload, manage multiple projects, and meet established deadlines required.
• Ability to use special personal protective equipment such as hearing protection, rubber boots, leather gloves, safety glasses, respirator (fit test required using OSHA criteria), hard hat, etc. required.
• Must have the ability to enter a confined space and elevated areas.
• Must have the ability to operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to work long hours to accommodate workload and emergencies required.
• Responding to all BED’s Generation emergencies is required.
• Answering phone calls after business hours is required.
• Must be able to work 12 hours shift in emergency situations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Vermont State driver’s license within three months of date hired.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.

Additional Information

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or [email protected] .