Sr. Manager of Reliability Planning and Asset Management

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

City Light is seeking a Senior Manager to lead our Asset and Work Management, Systems Planning and Grid Mod Engineering teams that will provide the utility with a central long-term, data-drive Program with an unbiased focus on future maintenance and capital program planning for the utility to meet emerging reliability, load and system needs across our service area. Bringing these teams together will assist in identification of asset replacement needs, large scale electrification load needs, and critical system upgrade priorities to meet our customer’s power needs.

This is a modified Executive position that will oversee long term centralized capital and maintenance planning based on capacity, control and monitoring, and customer needs for future electrification considerations for the City of Seattle and franchise cities.

Team Overview

The Asset and Work Management Team support work and asset management tools to utilize capital and operations and maintenance funds effectively.This team is responsible for establishing and maintaining business processes that support utility Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) programs.Decisions involve broad organizational policy regarding asset planning, performance analysis, standards and capital allocation which impact the utility and the City of Seattle.Oversee Capital program prioritization decisions for the utility, specifically regarding the transmission, substation and distribution assets.The scope includes a long-term perspective and requires the development and utilization of life-cycle analysis techniques to assure long-term viability and alignment with the Utility's Strategic Plan.

The Grid Mod Team will deliver and execute on Seattle City Light’s long-term Grid Modernization Plan, leading how the utility will invest for the future across innovative initiatives such a Transmission and Distribution Automation and Smart Grid to most efficiently and cost effectively deliver the grid of the future necessary to maintain the reliability of our Transmission and Distribution system.

The System Planning Group provides management and leadership direction for the System Planning functions, assuring the long-term supply of electric services to our customers including the generation, transmission, and distribution to current and future markets.

The unit is responsible for an internal budget of $5.0M and will eventually influence over $400 million of SCL’s annual capital budget. The successful candidate will manage a group of 35 subject matter experts and serve as a key member of the management team at Seattle City Light.

This position will report directly to the Engineering and Project Delivery Officer to maintain high visibility and support within the utility.

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:

• Establish planning criteria and develop capacity expansion plans which meet planning criteria for reliability, quantity and quality of supply.
• Sustain Asset Management integration within the organization and continue to build momentum for maintenance and capital planning as an integral part of everyday work.

• Plan for future supply needs of base customers and new markets, including long-term planning of City Light’s existing grid assets for rehabilitation and refurbishment.

• Oversee the team in the use of various engineering simulation models in assessment of transmission grid and plant capability.
• Oversee load flow studies on City Light’s Radial and Network Distribution system to ensure system capacity and reliability.
• Oversee interconnection planning to maximize reliability among Puget Sound area, NWPP, and WECC regional power system.
• Develop short- and long-term horizon plan for systems planning.
• Over time, develop capital budget projects.
• Oversee Grid Mod efforts and planning as this program works to improve both our customer response and reliability numbers.
• Provide general work assignments and recommend staffing levels especially as the team grows in capacity.
• Provide oversight of section workloads, project schedules and budget.
• Communicate and coordinate with other agencies and utilities such as Puget Sound Energy, BPA, Columbia Grid, Northwest Power Pool, Western Electricity Coordinating Council, and North American Electric Reliability Council.

• Demonstrable experience working with electrical system design, operational requirements, safety, customer requirements.
• Skilled in negotiating and administering contracts and agreements, budget preparation, economics and finance.
• Actively promote, support and manage key strategic City-wide initiatives including those related to fair and equal employment, diversity and justice in the workplace.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate their commitment to and involvement in activities that create and sustain a workforce free of racism and discrimination and that values multiculturalism and diversity as a workforce and community asset.

Required Qualifications: In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Experience:Substantial management and leadership experience in electrical engineering, asset management or related areas of responsibility typically gained through 10 or more years progressively responsible assignments; at least 7 of which were as a manager or supervisor in a large, complex, multi-disciplined and diverse organization.

Education: A Bachelor's degree in engineering, economics, business administration or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

License: Current Washington State driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:The most competitive candidates will have extensive engineering planning, design and management experience and oversight of high-profile projects in support of and/or with an electric utility. In addition:

• Knowledge of public sector organizational practices, including labor relations and financial management;
• Skilled in developing, and implementing performance management and organizational measurements, methodologies and techniques;
• Experience working at and practicing leadership at a variety of management levels;
• Strong management skills including planning, organizing, problem-solving, decision making and program implementation;
• Ability to coach employees, encourage teamwork and promote high standards of customer service;
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, vendors, and customers;
• Experience negotiating consulting and vendor contracts and other agreements;
• Master’s degree preferred
• Valid WA Professional Engineering License
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills; and
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work with people from diverse professional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or withoutnotice.

Emergency Response Commitment:Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

The full salary range for this position is $66.88 to $110.35 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.