30% Project Management: Develops and maintains scope, schedules and budgets for personnel, materials, and other resources as required to ensure the judicious completion of system required maintenance, inspection, construction, service and operations projects. Establishes and articulates departmental goals, priorities and expectations. Plans, organizes and supervises the work of supervisory personnel and field crews to ensure efficient and effective performance. Manages relationships with labor unions and represented employees to resolve conflict and ensure effective work practices. Ensures that system operation, construction, service and maintenance activities comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as company standards.
o Directs and develops goals, objectives and schedules to conduct regulatory required maintenance and inspection activities. Implements the plan with emphasis on quality, and regulatory compliance.
o Directs a comprehensive damage prevention program. Ensures the program is implemented utilizing guidelines from industry best practice, regulatory requirements and company standards.
o Directs construction activities used for the expansion and/or replacement of the gas distribution system. Implements the plan with a strong customer focus and efficient and effective utilization of resources.
o Directs the activities of the gas service workers in the administration of service functions and meter handling.
o Directs emergency response activities including standby preparedness and response to interruptions of gas service.
o Ensures the timely completion of all necessary records, paperwork, and documentation needed for accounting, regulatory, asset management, and related purposes.
o Ensures successful cross-boundary interface with other functional areas in the value chain including procurement & inventory, plant records, plant accounting, engineering, and customer service.
15% Operational Performance: Ensures reliable and cost effective distribution of gas to Unitil customers. Prepares, maintains, and analyzes statistics to measure departmental performance. Benchmarks performance to internal and external sources of data to assess the effectiveness of operating practices and results. Establishes and meets challenging goals to achieve ever higher standards for performance and results. Ensures that operating criteria and standards are aligned with corporate objectives as well as applicable codes, regulations, and industry standards.
o Collaborates with other operations and engineering groups to construct, operate and maintain contemporary, cost-effective, reliable and safe gas and production systems in accordance with appropriate industry codes, regulations, and practices.
o Promotes continuous improvement of all field work activities that affect the gas system by developing and implementing an effective QA/QC audit program that utilizes necessary benchmarks from industry and regulatory standards.
o Develops goals, objectives and strategies to foster a performance driven culture centered on efficiency and effectiveness, while striving to achieve a cooperative relationship between Unitil’s labor unions and management.
o Fosters an environment and culture of workplace safety, where employee safety and well-being are an integral part of operational performance.
15% Leadership: Develops and maintains a high performance work force; acknowledges and rewards employee’s strengths and accomplishments. Fosters a work environment of commitment and achievement, setting high performance standards, and providing the direction, training, and development needed to achieve these standards. Articulates and generates enthusiasm for the Company’s mission and goals. Leads by example; demonstrates a strong commitment to Unitil’s Core Principles and values and instills this same commitment in all employees.
o Hires and retains talented and motivated employees. Identifies essential skills, provides appropriate training, and clearly articulates expectations for conduct and performance.
o Optimizes relationships between labor unions and management. Identifies short term and long term strategies for effective labor relations and labor negotiations.
o Communicates openly by regularly discussing company strategic plans and goals with all employees, encouraging two way communication and incorporating their feedback.
o Confronts issues, addresses conflict, resolves problems and recommends solutions, which may sometimes require taking a tough principled stand, even if unpopular.
15% Financial Controls and Results: Responsible for the effectiveness of departmental controls; fosters an appropriate control environment including employee understanding and appreciation of critical controls, control activities, controls monitoring, risk assessment, information and communication. Ensures departmental O&M and Capital budget results are achieved within established guidelines. Collaborates with other operations functions to develop and manage the local operations and maintenance budget, and with engineering to develop and manage the annual capital budget of additions and improvements to the energy delivery system:
o Designs, monitors, and “owns” control activities that are integral to internal business processes; assesses risks and implements improvements as needed.
o Directs cost-effective scheduling and implementation of construction and maintenance projects ensuring optimum utilization of both internal and external (contract) labor force.
o Approves budgeted projects and expenditures; reviews and tracks schedules, expenditures and construction progress relative to budget.
15% Regulatory Compliance: Accountable for the regulatory compliance for all activities that fall within functional responsibility, as prescribed by the 49 CFR 192, Maine PUC 420, N.H. PUC 800, MA CMR 220, Unitil O&M Manual and the Unitil Design & Construction Manual. These duties include the following:
o System construction projects
o System maintenance activities
o Leak Survey’s
o System Inspections
o Employee Training
o Employee Qualification (OQ)
o Contractor Qualification (OQ)
o Documentation and QA/QC audits of departmental activities
o Record keeping and documentation
o Performance metrics
o Regulatory reporting
10% Strategic Projects: Oversees the analysis and resolution of complex and difficult problems where only general operational guidelines or business principals are available. Champions business opportunities and solutions to strategic issues; participates on cross-functional teams to formulate strategy and develop new approaches to key business challenges. Collaborates on the development and implementation of new systems, processes and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s operations at the enterprise level.
o Collaborates with colleagues on cross-functional teams to pursue opportunities for growth and value creation (e.g., gas expansion, new utility services, and asset acquisition).
o Collaborates on the development and implementation of new technology systems to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., GIS, AMR, and work management).
o Develops organizational solutions, and recommends structural changes, to address changing business needs.
As Needed Capitalizes on unplanned opportunities and responds to unforeseen situations; undertakes and completes assignments and special projects as assigned by management.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, or curriculum compatible with the requirements of the position or equivalent work experience.
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience, including proven supervisory/management experience.
• Must posses Operator Qualification (O.Q.) certification based upon the requirements set forth in D.O.T. 49CFR192, Subpart N.
• Must accept supervisory standby on an as needed basis.
• Must reside within a specified geographic area and be available for duties during times of system emergencies.
Last updated: 10-3-22