Light & Power Operations Manager

Location:  City of Fort Collins, CO Download:  City of Fort Collins, CO - Light & Power Operations Manager Brochure

City of Fort Collins, CO - Light & Power Operations Manager

The Community
Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University, has a population of 158,600 within 56 square miles and is located at the northern edge of the picturesque Rocky Mountain Front Range.  Fort Collins is consistently ranked among the top cities by national magazines and organizations for its great schools, low crime, good jobs in the high-tech field, and fantastic outdoor life.  The community is highly educated with 79 percent more college graduates than the national average.  In addition, the community's median family income is $76,700 which is 20 percent greater than the national average.  Fort Collins is sixty miles north of Denver and the Denver International Airport.

Economy
Fort Collins has a strong economy anchored by the Colorado State University (CSU) campus with nearly 25,000 students and 7,000 employees. Founded in 1870 as a land grant college, students from every state and 95 foreign countries attend CSU. Graduate and undergraduate degrees are offered in nine colleges, and CSU is known for major research advances in agriculture, engineering, veterinary sciences, technology, and water.

Major private sector employers in Fort Collins include Hewlett Packard (1,250 employees), Poudre Valley Hospital (3,000 employees), and Woodward, Inc. (1,300). Innovation occurs across industry sectors in Fort Collins. Craft brewer, bioscience, software, hardware, water innovation, and clean energy companies contribute ideas, inventions, and products that positively impact the local economy.

In 2010, 225 patents were registered to researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs in Fort Collins.

Known as the community's "crown jewel" Downtown Fort Collins has a large selection of eclectic, unique shops and restaurants. In the summer public plazas invite social gatherings and outdoor concerts. Old Town Square, a pedestrian only business district, is a vibrant hub of activity for all ages with outdoor patios and regularly scheduled entertainment.

Education
The Poudre School District (PSD) serves approximately 24,000 students and includes four high schools in Fort Collins and the surrounding area. In addition there are several charter schools in Fort Collins including Ridgeview Classical Schools which was rated among the top ten charter high schools in the nation (U.S.News & World Report, December 2008). For more information about PSD, please visit psdschools.org. Additional educational institutions in Fort Collins include Front Range Community College, the Institute of Business and Medical Careers, University of Phoenix, and Regis College.

Recreation
With 875 acres of developed park land including six community parks and 49 neighborhood/pocket parks, recreation opportunities abound in Fort Collins. The City also maintains 30,000 acres of natural areas and more than 32 miles of recreational trails.

Accolades

  • 2012 Top Downtown in the Country, Livability.com, November 2012
  • Money Magazine ranked Fort Collins, 6th Best Place to Live in the Nation in 2010
  • Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community, League of American Bicyclists, May 2013
  • Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government recognizing the Sustainability Services Area formation, Alliance for Innovation, March 2013

Government
Fort Collins was incorporated in 1873 and has operated under the council/manager form of government since 1939. The City Council consists of six district Council Members elected on a non-partisan basis for four-year terms and a Mayor elected at-large on a non-partisan basis for a two-year term. The Mayor Pro Tem is chosen from among the entire Council and serves a two-year term. The City has 27 Boards and Commissions that provide advice and recommendations to the City Council on issues such as affordable housing, art in public places, the environment, human relations, and the needs of senior citizens, youth, and women.

The City Council appoints a City Manager who is responsible for managing municipal operations that consist of a $504 million calendar-year budget and 2,299 FTE's. The current City Manager has worked for the City for 17 years and was appointed City Manager in 2004. In addition to traditional municipal services, the City has an electric utility, a regional airport jointly owned by the City of Fort Collins and the City of Loveland, and the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery which was created through a unique public/ private partnership.

Light & Power Department
Fort Collins Utilities derives electric power as a partner in the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). PRPA is a wholesale electricity provider which acquires, constructs and operates generation capacity for the cities of Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland and Estes Park. The four cities each have a share of the governance of PRPA by seating both an elected official and the utility director on the Board of Directors. Policies and decisions governing PRPA operations are made using a shared governance model which allows PRPA to respond to community needs, build on community strengths, and advance community values.

The Light & Power department serves approximately 68,000 homes and businesses making it the 42nd largest municipal utility out of more than 2000 municipal utilities in the country. Light & Power operates and maintains one of the most reliable electric distribution systems in the country, which is over 99% underground.  The department constructs, operates and maintains electric substations, extends temporary and permanent light and power services, and installs and maintains the city's streetlight system (approximately 11,000 throughout the community).

The Position
The Light & Power Operations Manager directs and manages operations of the Light & Power department by developing and administering staff, plans, budgets, rates, services and departmental policies and procedures consistent with objectives established by the Utilities Executive Director.  The Light & Power Operations Manager provides general oversight and direction of work of the Electric Field Services Department, Electric Systems Engineering Division, Standards Engineering Division and Electric Systems Design & Information Technology Division.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the overall operational results provided by Light & Power operations.
  • Serves with other Utilities' department managers as member of the Utilities Service Area management team.
  • Develops and administers short term and long range plans, policies and procedures based on the goals and objectives of the Utilities Service Area and City.
  • Ensures financially successful operations of the enterprise to provide funding for general government operations.
  • Directs the preparation of Light & Power's budget based on the goals and objectives of the Utilities Service Area and City.
  • Monitors the department's budget and authorizes expenditures.
  • Reviews and analyzes programs, operations and associated costs forecasting departmental progress with regard to stated objectives and future needs.
  • Develops short and long range master plans to meet the future needs for electric service within the City.
  • Evaluates the results of overall operating and service levels and provides regular reports to the Executive Director and Electric Board as needed.
  • Provides general oversight, direction and regular review for all direct reports under supervision.
  • Ensures that all Light & Power activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws governing business operations.
  • Maintains a sound plan of corporate organization establishing policies to insure adequate management development and to provide for capable management succession.
  • Develops and implements procedures and controls to promote communication and adequate information flow.
  • Reviews proposed state and federal regulations and legislation regarding electric distribution, transmission and generation to determine their impact on the Utilities.
  • Formulates policies, procedures, goals and associated code changes for the Light & Power Department, and recommends such to the Utilities Executive Director.
  • Represents the Light & Power Department to City Council, other local, state and federal agencies and to the general public.
  • Consults with other City and Utility departments to define goals, resolve conflicts and schedule work to provide the best possible services to the City of Fort Collins citizens.
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of strategic and financial planning; ability to manage large funds and budget effectively.
  • Knowledge of electric industry issues in the areas of distribution, transmission and generation (especially renewable).
  • Advanced knowledge of standard engineering practices.
  • Knowledge of principles of electric utility design and planning.
  • Knowledge of theories and operation of electric systems and equipment.
  • Knowledge of general business and management principles.

Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible management level experience in an electric utility.  A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Financial Planning, or related field from an accredited college or university is required; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. A valid driver's license is required; a Professional Engineering License in the State of Colorado is preferred.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have operational knowledge of the principals and practices of an electric utility; municipal experience will be beneficial. A working knowledge of sustainability practices, underground utilities, and advanced meter systems will be necessary for this role.  The successful candidate should possess financial knowledge to include fiscal planning, budget management, and asset management. Project management experience will be beneficial. 

The ideal candidate will have a proven interest in building and maintaining relationships with City officials, subordinates, representatives of other agencies, and the general public. The ideal candidate should be a visionary leader, who can communicate the need for new technology and ideas.  This person should be politically astute with the ability to demonstrate a positive example of competence, professionalism, energy and work ethic to the organization.

The ideal candidate will possess superior management skills and have the ability to make strategic decisions pertaining to staff and procedures within the department. This person will have a successful background in operations improvement and change management. The ideal candidate must have the capacity and interest to be an effective mentor for staff. This person must display strong collaboration and team building skills to be successful; advanced written and verbal communication skills are essential.  

Salary
The City of Fort Collins is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will also be available for a successful out of area candidate.

How to Apply
Applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: LPOM

Affion Public
2120 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
888.321.4922
Fax: 717-214-8004
www.affionpublic.com

 

**Deadline to receive resumes is May 20, 2015

Posted: 03/22/2022