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Chief Engineer, Dam Safety & Natural Resources

Employer
Chelan County PUD
Location
Wenatchee, Washington State
Salary
$146,240 - $182,800
Closing date
Jun 12, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
Specialty
Utility Engineering
Position Type
Chief / Principle
Contract Type
Permanent
Organization Type
Government

Job Details

Chief Engineer, Dam Safety 


Join our team at Chelan County Public Utility District. As one of the largest hydroelectric generating utilities in the Northwest, our mission at Chelan PUD is to improve the quality of life for the thousands of people who call our pristine desert and mountain community home.

Overview
This position manages, develops and maintains the District's Dam Safety program and is responsible for managing structural safety of our hydro assets and compliance with requirements of FERC and the Washington Department of Ecology. Leads and directs the project engineering staff to meet the goals and requirements of the Dam Safety program.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, implement, and maintain effective program activities to define and evaluate conditions likely to impact the District’s dams. Lead the monitoring and timely documentation of structural safety, stability and operability of the District’s dams, in accordance with the requirements of the ODSP and expectations of the FERC. Evaluate and recommend remedial actions needed to meet stakeholder expectations.
  • Establish, maintain, and administer employee goals, expectations, training/mentoring, succession planning, etc. as required to effectively supervise staff. Create team alignment and instill a culture of human and organizational performance. Develop, model and maintain productive and positive relationships aligned with District values and the District’s desired culture of collaboration and teamwork. Collaborate with management teams, project delivery, the business office and regulatory agencies to prioritize and schedule project resources efficiently and effectively and in a manner that appropriately prioritizes and achieves sustainable dam safety goals and objectives.
  • Oversee, develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Owner’s Dam Safety Program (ODSP) and emergency action plans. Establishes long range and annual program goals and objectives to meet and maintain compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Guidelines.
  • Maintain strong working relationship with Federal Stakeholders (e.g. FERC, USACE, Homeland Security) and internal Stakeholders (e.g. Hydro Operations, Security). Collaborates and coordinates extensively with internal and external hydro asset owners, regulators and other stakeholders to develop and maintain the necessary partnerships to ensure understanding of the District’s ODSP program.
  • Serve as Chief Dam Safety Engineer and perform all duties as defined by the FERC. Oversee the preparation of budgets and collaborate with managers in other departments to establish priorities.
  • Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
  • As an essential function, drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District.


People Management

  • This position manages/supervises people. Direct Resources Managed: 2-9. Indirect Resources Managed: None.


Reports To
Managing Director – Generation & Transmission

Overtime exemption
Exempt

Qualifications

Education

Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.

  • Bachelor's Degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering is required.


Experience

  • 15+ years of civil or mechanical engineering and project management including ten (10) years in the power generation field is required.
  • 5+ years working under a chief dam safety engineer or similar position performing duties such as dam safety monitoring, reporting, structural risk assessments, analysis, and applying FERC regulations to hydro power generation projects is preferred.
  • Prior Supervisory experience is desired.


Licenses and Certifications

  • Professional Engineer (PE) License upon hire is required.
  • Valid Driver's License at hire and WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire is required.


Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities:

  • Extensive and diverse knowledge of engineering relating to the engineering analysis and operations of hydro facilities.
  • Strong program and project management knowledge and skills.
  • Excellent leadership and interpersonal relationship skills.
  • Strong presentation, meeting facilitation and coordination skills.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws. Regulations and regulatory requirements relating to hydro facility evaluation and generation, including dam safety and public works contracting.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage consultant contracts.
  • Ability to supervise and effectively direct the work of others.
  • Able to apply a growth mindset, lead fairly by example, establish clear goals, and clearly communicate goals, plans and priorities to staff.
  • Models the District’s commitment to customers, and achievement of goals through collaboration and teamwork.
  • Makes timely and actionable decisions in own area of responsibility.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office application products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) Maximo, Primavera, and other engineering and project management related software products.
  • Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.


Background Screening

  • Pursuant to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of personnel who have access to the District's critical physical and/or cyber assets.


Drug Screening
Drug screening prior to position entry is required for the following reason(s):
Physical Demands

  • Sitting - Frequently
  • Standing - Occasionally
  • Walking - Occasionally
  • Lifting 1-10 lbs Floor-Waist - Frequently
  • Lifting 11-25 lbs Floor-Waist - Occasionally
  • Lifting 25 - 50 lbs Floor-Waist (copier paper) - Occasionally
  • Stooping/Bending - Occasionally
  • Reach Waist to Shoulder - Occasionally
  • Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.) - Frequently
  • Repetitive Motions - Frequently
  • Talking - Frequently
  • Visual - Far Acuity - Occasionally
  • Visual - Depth Perception - Occasionally


Working Conditions

  • Exposure to Weather - Occasionally
  • Proximity to Moving Mechanical Parts - Occasionally
  • Atmospheric Conditions (dust, fumes, etc.) - Occasionally
  • Exposure to Electricity - Occasionally
  • Exposure to Toxic/Caustic Chemicals - Occasionally
  • Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate


District Values

  • Safety - Protect public and employee health and safety
  • Stewardship - Acting on behalf of customer-owners, protecting public resources entrusted to us
  • Trustworthy - Competence, integrity, respect
  • Operational Excellence - High-quality innovative work execution











 

Company

Chelan County PUD is located in the geographical center of Washington State at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. A public power leader, the complex and progressive nature of PUD operations offer a unique mix of challenges and opportunities. We rely on the mighty Columbia River for much of our hydropower generation and we're proud to take a leadership role in environmental stewardship as related to this great river system. Each year we dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of work hours to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plant ecosystems. As part of hydropower operations, we've also built 14 parks that serve more than 3 million visitors each year. Rated by Sunset Magazine as one of the top 20 Western DREAM TOWNS and by Forbes in 2017 as one of the top 25 places to retire, Wenatchee is a recreational paradise with an abundance of adventure. The natural scenic beauty of the Wenatchee Valley provides a vivid backdrop to its thriving economy, where the quality of life is high and the climate is moderate with four distinct seasons, including more than 200 days of sunshine! Chelan PUD is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. M/F/Vet/Disabled

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