Typical Responsibilities Include

Oversees scheduling for surveying and designing electric overhead and underground distribution lines according to Medina EC construction specifications and reviewing and verifying units used in the preparation of line design sheets.  Supervises the work and development of line designers to ensure that staking functions are performed efficiently, safely, and with superior customer service.

1. Directs all line design operations throughout Medina EC’s service area.

• Coaches, mentors, and appraises the performance of the line designers and engineering assistant/scheduler
• Manages workloads and approves daily timesheets, PTO requests, and all overtime of direct reports.
• Oversees the training and development of line designers.
• Ensures line designers promptly schedule the design, cost estimates, and easements for new lines, pole changes, retirements or adding poles for clearances, and other construction work plan projects.
• Interacts with members in an intelligent and knowledgeable manner about the use and cost of electricity, line design cost estimates, and the value-added services offered by Medina EC.

2.  Moderates department meetings to review status on all scheduled projects and assignments of both Medina EC’s line designers and contract line design personnel.

• Maintains project schedules and status reports.
• Designs and presents metrics associated with departmental functions for process improvement and overall efficiency.

3.  Reviews and approves staking sheets submitted by Medina EC and engineering consultant line designers prior to release to Operations.

• Verifies member load information, system capacity, and phase balancing in order to correctly size and connect meters, conductors, transformers and protective devices.
• Shows prudence when approving costs associated with providing facilities and service to new and existing members.

4.  Works with the Manager of Engineering and Design to facilitate the interpretation and application of policies, standards, and codes: Makes judgments necessary in the application of safety and construction standards, applicable state and         national electrical safety codes, Medina EC rules and regulations and line extension policy.

• Assists Manager of Engineering and Design in development of line design budget and business plan.

5.  Occasionally performs field staking for construction of single and three phase overhead and underground electrical facilities as work schedule and demands require.

• Meets with members for new power line routes and developers for trunk line extensions
• Conducts field inspections to determine adherence to standards for “as-built” records and inspects service entrance equipment.
• Prepares drawings, cost estimates, material lists, and all necessary forms and agreements for member line extensions, maintenance and/or rearrangement of electrical facilities as required.
• Researches deeds and easements in various county courthouses
• Creates and submits applicable permits for various entities such as TxDOT, various railroads, cities, water districts, etc. to obtain rights to construct lines within or across their infrastructure.

6.  Stays current with NISC Mapping & Staking software changes and trains line designers on changes.
7.  Stays current with all Medina EC engineering specifications, standards, and processes for overhead and underground line construction.
8.  Sets up assembly units and material item codes with cost in NISC iVUE Financials and maintains engineering and work plan work order numbers.
9.  Reviews underground locating invoices for accurate billing.
10. Participates in Medina EC’s Material Standards Committee activities.
11. Attends seminars, in-house training, and other functions relevant to position. Travel may include overnight stays and traveling alone.
12. Performs general maintenance, inventory, housekeeping, and monthly truck inspection reports on assigned vehicle.
13. Performs all duties in accordance with applicable safety policies and procedure manuals. Adheres to Medina EC, NESC, RUS, OSHA, state and other regulatory agency safety procedures and rules in the performance of all work.

• Creates and maintains a culture that motivates employees to engage in work practices that avoid accidents and injuries.

14. Wears required safety attire such as hardhat, safety glasses, steel-toed shoes/boots, etc. as appropriate; shoe/boot replacement costs are subject to policy.
15. Must attain certification on an annual basis in CPR, first aid, and fire extinguisher; becomes certified every two years for defensive driving.
16. Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Pre-requisites

Education:  Vocational/Technical school degree or Associates Degree in Electrical Technology or related field required. Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. A minimum of seven (7) years of utility experience may be substituted for some educational requirements.

Experience:  Five (5) years of experience in electric utility line design and construction or significant surveying background required. Previous electric utility experience in engineering or operations is preferred, but not required.  Experience in organizing/supervising work projects/groups and experience in work involving direct customer contact is also preferred.  

Skills/Abilities:

• Personal Characteristics – Must be a team player.  Must represent Medina EC in a positive manner by tactfully and courteously communicating with the members, general public and employees.
  • Learns, accepts, and adapts to planned and unplanned changes in work processes and workflow in a proactive and positive manner.
  • Provides a work environment that encourages expression of new ideas by staff and one that is a safe place to question current processes.
  • Able to initiate and complete projects with minimal supervision; demonstrates organizational skills and ability to set and follow priorities.
  • Exhibits promptness and punctuality in reporting for work appointments, deadlines, assignments, and productivity.
• Technical Skills – Must have/develop an extensive knowledge of Medina EC’s service area with the ability to understand and follow maps, work orders, staking sheets, and any type of forms related to work being performed.
  • Must have a thorough understanding of the installation of transformers, wiring of transformer banks, regulators, capacitors, and other special equipment related to the electrical distribution system.  
  • Must have the ability to read, utilize, and provide input for Medina EC construction specifications, line design standards, and all other related engineering technical documentation.
  • Ability to design large conductor three-phase power lines to meet NESC Class B and Class C construction standards, other code requirements, and Medina EC design standards.
• Mathematic Skills - Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts.
• Planning Skills - Must be able to schedule and set up Medina EC and contract personnel for designing line extensions, construction work plan projects, and various other projects.  Prioritizes changing workloads, and consistently meets deadlines in a cost-effective manner
• Reasoning Ability – Must possess a strong ability to define/foresee problems, collect data, establish facts, troubleshoot situations, and draw valid conclusions.
• General Computer Skills - Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel), email and internet usage.
• Specific Computer Skills - Able to create, review and modify electronic versions of staking sheets and maps utilizing NISC iVUE Mapping & Staking Software.  Knowledge of ArcMap and AutoCAD desirable
• Equipment Skills - Ability to use surveying, Global Positioning System (GPS), and all applicable line design equipment proficiently.
• Communication Skills - Must be able to convey complex concepts in a simple and concise manner using oral and written means.  Provides direction, training and assistance to line designers in all aspects of the Medina EC line design program.

 The following are essential functions of this position and not intended to be all inclusive.  An employee may be directed to perform other reasonably related job duties and responsibilities.  Medina EC reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.  The position description will be updated accordingly.  This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

About Medina Electric Cooperative

MEC (www.medinaec.org) is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative that provides electric energy to 17 counties covering 10,750 square miles in south-central Texas. The Cooperative has 129 employees serving 19,000 members with over 34,000 meters along 9,700 miles of line. The Co-op has annual revenues of approximately $134 million and a total utility plant of over $225 million. MEC receives its wholesale power from South Texas Electric Cooperative, with a fuel mix of 65% natural gas, 20.6% Texas lignite and 14.4% renewables. It is a member of the Texas Electric Cooperatives, NRECA and works with RUS, CFC and CoBank. MEC is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. The Cooperative’s mission is “Exceed member expectations in everything we do”. The cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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