Manager, Construction and Maintenance (Natural Gas Distribution)

Purpose

Provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the Company’s construction, maintenance, and system protection functions. Accountable for the safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective execution of departmental operations, including the management of personnel, operating and capital budgets, resource allocation, productivity, and performance.

Ensures that all activities are conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, codes, and Company policies, standards, and procedures. Leads the development and implementation of operational plans, work practices, performance standards, and continuous improvement initiatives to support system integrity, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and the Company’s long-term business objectives.

Maintains accountability for departmental financial performance and provides regulatory and business support, including the development of testimony for rate cases and the preparation of formal responses to state regulatory information requests. Responsible for gas distribution operating functions including Construction, Distribution System Maintenance, Customer Field Service Activities, System Protection, System Operations, e.g. pressure regulation and production, code compliance, budget management, HR support, work efficiency, safety.

Accountabilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Company’s gas Construction, Maintenance and System Protection functions, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the distribution system.
• Assume ownership and accountability for the development, administration, monitoring, and management of departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Develop, prepare, review, and support formal testimony for rate cases and other regulatory proceedings involving Construction & Maintenance, System Protection, infrastructure investment, operating expenses, staffing, productivity, system reliability, and related departmental activities.
• Provide operational and subject-matter expertise in support of the Company’s regulatory obligations, rate proceedings, and interactions with state regulatory authorities.
• Prepare, coordinate, and provide complete, accurate, and timely responses to formal state regulatory information requests, including data requests, interrogatories, and requests for supporting documentation related to departmental operations, expenditures, capital projects, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage both bargaining & non-bargaining personnel in all activities related to the construction, maintenance & operation of the Company’s pipeline system.
• Ensure public and employee safety through enforcement of safety initiatives and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Ensure that ALL company work activities – by their field personnel - are performed in accordance with both State and Federal Codes and Regulations.
• Maintain a safe, reliable & efficient distribution system through the proper management of resources, workload and prioritization.
• Develop and maintain business justifications for capital investments, operational initiatives, and resource requirements, ensuring that proposed expenditures support system safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and long-term value.
• Provide positive leadership and direction to direct/indirect supports. This includes the encouragement of independent & creative decision making with regards to improving their immediate areas of responsibilities in their own divisions.
• Review and continually monitor available resources and work practices in order to ensure a high level of productivity and efficiency.
• Support regulatory inspections, compliance audits, and internal reviews by ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and availability of required records, documentation, and operational information
• Ensure that the most cost effective use/mix of resources and equipment is utilized in completing all anticipated workload to meet departmental goals.
• Develop and counsel direct report (i.e. Field Ops Supervisors) on issues of company policy, handling of union relations, establishment of best practices and any other areas pertaining to the department goals and strategy.

Accountabilities Continued

• Establish clear communication of departmental expectations, goals and procedures and ensure that their supporting direct reports meet both divisional and company objectives.
• Work to develop, establish and implement clear productivity standards for the C&M workforces.
• Utilize the results of these productivity standards to establish a clear link between the level of performance and the need for additional training coaching, counseling and/or discipline – for all field personnel.
• Promote customer satisfaction through communication, responsiveness and quality workmanship for all direct reports.
• Serve as the primary departmental liaison with city and town municipalities on matters involving construction activities, pipeline maintenance, restoration, permitting coordination, and other operational matters.

Education and Experience

• Associates Degree or equivalent professional experience
• 10+ years of experience in Gas Operations
• Advanced organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple assignments
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, subordinates, City and Town
• Proven experience developing, managing, forecasting, and controlling operating and capital budgets, including variance analysis, resource allocation, and investment justification
• CDL license preferred