Reading Municipal Light Department

                          Job Position Description

This Position Description presents illustrative work activities usually encountered by personnel filling this position. It is not meant to list all possible work activities in all possible work conditions. It is also not meant to define specific limits on work activities that may be performed by any person holding this position. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.  Position descriptions may occasionally be changed to allow the RMLD to better meet the needs of the customers, reflect applicable laws and regulations, or otherwise implement Commission policies. All non-bargaining unit RMLD workers are “employees at will.”

Job Summary

This position is responsible for managing, supervising, scheduling, and coordinating work for the Line Operations and Control Room groups.   Line Operations work includes but is not limited to inspections, design, construction, maintenance, troubleshooting, training, storm management, etc.  Control Room work includes but is not limited to the managing, supervising, scheduling, and training to ensure proper administration of the RMLD 24/7 operations.  Responsible to ensure efficient and effective operation of designed Control Room systems to support Line Operations, Grid Assets and Communications, customers, associated transmission and ISO requirements, etc.

Illustrative Work Activities:

Essential work activities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Demonstrate leadership qualities to include honesty, integrity, receptiveness, innovativeness, decisiveness, flexibility, positive attitude, etc. Provide coaching and mentoring to support proper and safe progression of employee career development. Address unacceptable behavior promptly. 
• Supervise Assistant General Foreman Operations and Line Operations group in planning and scheduling of construction, implementing projects including the prioritization of their work and maintenance of the distribution system.
• Supervise employees of the Control Room in scheduling, training, and operation of Control Room.
• Adhere to and enforces all operational policies & procedures, rules, laws, and regulations including those used in the control center relative to the SCADA/OMS/IVR systems, Radio and Telephone communication between RMLD Control Room Operators and Eversource, NERC/NPCC, National Grid and ISO transmission system operations.
• Ensure all SpryPoint tickets, etc. are field completed to ensure proper and timely documentation for subsequent work requirements, insurance, engineering analysis, time and material allocation, etc. Ensure Control Room operators provide detailed and thorough systems (GIS, SCADA, OMS, etc.) assistance to support safe troubleshooting, etc.
• Ensure GIS as-builts, updates, etc. are performed daily by Control Room Operators. Ensure any Control Room system function or operational issue is reported to Assistant Director of E&O promptly, including auxiliary systems such as SCADA/OMS alarms, peak shaving generator, cameras, gate function, etc.
• Responsible for operational staffing, including required qualifications and manpower levels required for both scheduled and unscheduled work. Ensure proper and adequate shift coverage in the Control Center for both normal and emergency operations and provides all employees sufficient system and operational exposure.
• Manage assigned projects, planning, implementing, and controlling project costs.
• Enforce compliance of NESC, NEC, OSHA overhead and underground construction standards.
• Enforce OSHA safety rules and RMLD’s operational policies and procedures.
• Review, provide and/or assist engineering in generating estimates for the labor and material costs and planning/scheduling all construction projects including routine work orders, reliability, and maintenance.

• Provide budget input and budget tracking related to managed work areas.
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and implementing integrated engineering system tools such as the IWMS, SCADA/OMS/Crew Management/VVR, GIS/Futura, etc.
• Assist Engineering and Grid Assets & Communications Group in the development of overhead and underground testing and maintenance programs including, pole and equipment testing, Transformer Load Management (TLM), Regulators, Switches, Step Down conversions, etc.
• Manage the RMLD Vegetation Management Program and contracted Tree Trimming Company, for cyclic tree trimming and other vegetation issues related to emergencies, etc., in collaboration with each of the 4 service town Tree Wardens, Conservation Commission, etc.
• Manage projects in collaboration with Grid Assets & Communications group and Engineering to ensure completion of routine work orders, maintenance, system reliability and other assigned projects.
• Develop and/or assist in the development of bid specifications for line operations projects, equipment, material, and fleet.
• Provide critical input to the development and upkeep of the Department’s Maintenance Programs, Vegetation Management Plan (VMP), Smart Grid Technology Roadmap, and Service Requirements Handbook.
• As directed, act as the RMLD’s representative, for communication with Town and government officials (i.e., Wiring Inspector, DPW, police, etc.), vendors, developers, and contractors, to coordinate project scheduling.
• Provide design input, review, inspect and coordinate work for pole replacements or attachments by other utilities such as Small cell wireless, telephone, cable, fire alarm or private cable.
• Perform quality and safety inspections online construction work performed by RMLD employees and outside contractors. Provide input on OSHA compliance issues, changes, etc.
• Perform and provide the timely recommendations and evaluations of employees in the Line and Control Room groups relating to personnel actions (i.e., CDP, promotion, discipline, etc.), to the Assistant Director of E&O. Responsible for developing and updating the CDPs for all supervised employees.  Responsible for scheduling all training and monitoring progress for supervised employees to ensure proficiencies in required skilled job duties.
• Participate, when required, in union/management negotiations, grievance procedures, and arbitrations. Responsible for the first step response under the existing labor contracts for grievance procedures.
• Provide input on operational issues and recommend Safety Committee topics for discussions and/or resolutions.
• Ability to be qualified and assigned as a Switchman, Tagman or Control Authority as required during abnormal or emergency conditions.
• Perform Chairperson duties on the RMLD Electric Safety Committee and other committees as assigned.
• Report policy and procedure violations, complete incident reports and conduct lessons learned analysis, promptly.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education:

Bachelor's Degree in engineering, utility construction, business or equivalent degree, as determined by RMLD.     Certified and required to maintain certification as a Journeyman Lineworker in underground and overhead construction. 

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a position managing utility operations for multiple line crews with demonstrated performance in both technical knowledge and leadership skills, specifically including large distribution project management of underground and overhead construction, substation operations, planning, project execution, budget input, cost control, storm restoration, mutual aid assistance, etc. Minimum of five years operational experience with Control Rooms/Dispatch Centers, including SCADA and OMS/IVR operation and functionality preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Broad knowledge of all aspects of the electric utility organizational structure and key functions including electric distribution, Transmission & Distribution line construction, NERC/NPCC & ISO rules/regulations and operational procedures, asset maintenance and management, switching operations, financial,  customer service and Control Room/SCADA/OMS/IVR operations. Proven demonstrated supervisory and leadership skill sets.  Strong communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects and programs independently, referring complex issues to supervisor. Ability to respond, control, delegate and manage line operations as directed.   Using or modifying standard procedures to ensure timely completion of assigned work.

• Judgment and Initiative:

Capable of formulating independent decisions within RMLD guidelines on operations, policies, and procedures (including construction standards) for the Line and Control Room groups.  Ability for team building, communicate effectively, manage change, and work in a dynamic environment. Ability to effectively resolve conflicts, discipline appropriately and report violations appropriately to ensure safety. Determine and report violations of policies and procedures (including construction standards) and provide feedback/lessons learned regarding corrective actions.

 Manual Skills:

Proficient with PC skills and Microsoft Office and ability to learn new utility function software, e.g. SCADA, GIS, OMS and scheduling.  May be assigned duties as Switchman, Tagman or Control Authority during emergency operations. 

Physical Demands:

During emergency conditions, must have ability to perform linework including wearing required safety equipment, climbing poles or structures and performing moderately heavy physical work in any weather for an extended period of time.

Supervisory:

Direct supervision of Line and Control Room groups up to 30 employees.

Licenses and Certifications:

CPR, First Aid, and Valid Class B or A CDL, or ability to obtain.  Construction supervisor’s license and (1B) hoisting license. 

Class D valid driver's license or equivalent is required.  All licenses must be valid in MA.

About READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPT.

Established in 1894, Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) is a municipal electric utility serving over 70,000 residents in the towns of Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, and Lynnfield Center. RMLD has over 29,000 meter connections within its service territory. Residential customers account for approximately one-third of RMLD’s electricity sales while commercial, industrial, and municipal customers account for about two-thirds of sales. There are over 3,000 commercial and/or industrial customers in the communities RMLD serves. RMLD is the largest of the 41 municipal light departments in Massachusetts with regard to electricity load, is not-for-profit, and is locally owned and controlled. RMLD is governed by a 5-member Board of Commissioners elected by Reading voters. A Citizens' Advisory Board, appointed by the four communities RMLD serves, makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. A professional staff of 75+ employees brings a broad scope of utility experience to RMLD’s daily operations, including an up-to-date understanding of the evolving energy market. RMLD purchases power from a variety of sources for distribution to customers. With a peak demand of more... than 156 megawatts and rising capacity and transmission costs, peak demand reduction is a continued focus in order to reduce future power supply costs and in turn, maintain competitive electricity rates. To that end, RMLD offers a host of energy efficiency and rebate programs to both residential and commercial customers. Solar Choice, our community solar program, also assists with peak demand reduction by generating power within RMLD’s service territory. Solar Choice provides customers the opportunity to support clean energy production without requiring the installation of a system on their own property. RMLD has long contributed to the communities it serves through a variety of community relations programs. These include school education programs, frequent educational events at local libraries and senior centers, participation in local community events such as town days, and active memberships in local civic groups. At RMLD, our focus is to be efficient, get greener, and go paperless. Our staff continuously strives toward peak performance by implementing environmentally sustainable processes, creating efficiencies to work smarter, and keeping up with the latest industry trends to provide customers the best possible service at the lowest price.

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