Electric Operations Field Leader

NiSource Inc.; Merrillville (IN); On-site; USD 97,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

NiSource Inc. in Merrillville, IN seeks a Leader for Electric Operations to oversee a team providing emergency response, dispatch, and system switching for maintenance and improvements. You will drive safety, operational excellence, and staff development across front-line workers.

The role requires extensive leadership, strong safety knowledge, and the ability to coordinate with internal/external groups to ensure reliable service and adherence to budgets. On-call and rotating shifts may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 4+ years of experience in the electric utility industry and/or background within a related utility, and skilled trades.
• Demonstrated Leadership experience
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to quickly assess and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Strong knowledge of on-the-job safety and compliance requirements
• Ability to motivate stakeholders with varying priorities to accomplish a common goal.
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Ability to coach and develop employees
• Knowledgeable of distribution and transmission line and substations (troubleshooting, maintenance, and operational activities)
• Understanding single line diagrams, engineering drawings, prints, and standards.
• Periodically assumes the duties of the department manager.
• Additional hours more than 40/week and a shift rotation 4 days on 4 days off (days and nights) will be required to meet expectations of this position.
• Review, write and approve a proper switching order in accordance with NIPSCOs General Orders.
• Basic understanding of electrical concepts and theories.
• Responsible for directing their teams to meet CAIDI, SAIDI, SAIFI, ETR, and other customer commitment goals.
• Directs field damage assessment and restoration work for electric system outages.
• Works with Dispatcher -Operators and other operating groups to resolve these issues.
• Conducts frequent communications to keep abreast of construction progress and maintains close affiliation with all field operating personnel.
• Supervise and provides guidance to Dispatcher-Operators, addressing and resolving routine and emergency substation and line switching, electric system restoration, and outage evaluation issues.
• Communicates frequently with Leadership, Planning, Engineering, Substation, Construction, Technical Service, Local Operating personnel, and customer groups to address current and future operational and construction issues.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Safety Leadership by promoting and assuring a safe working environment, as well as, helping to support the continued improvement of electric operations public safety.
• Provide leadership, direction, and performance coaching to the front-line workforce.
• Serve as a consistent and regular presence in the dispatch center providing leadership, direction, and feedback to the front-line employees.
• Actively manage the development, training, and evaluation of front-line workers to improve individual and team performance.
• Manage and enforce the terms in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (where applicable)
• Promote Operational Excellence by motivating, coaching, and developing staff to meet established objectives
• Create an environment in which front-line workers are actively involved in the spirit and steps of Continuous Improvement.
• Ensure optimal use of resources by supporting the development and driving the execution of the teams' work plans along with proper management of Operating and Maintenance and Capital Budgets.
• Collaborate with and build strong working relationships with internal and external groups to coordinate work efforts.
• Ensures that work is completed according to company standards, regulations, processes, and procedures.
• Ensure employees effectively use tools and technology to complete their daily work.
• Cultivate and advance a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Convey a leadership image that is consistent with the organization's values, demonstrating the qualities, traits, and demeanor that commands leadership respect.
• Troubleshoot process systems, equipment failure/concerns, or inefficiencies when they occur.
• Respond to emergencies within the company's established procedures, incident command system structure, and storm recovery structure.

Skills

Leadership

Emergency decision-making

Safety compliance

Team coaching

Effective communication

On-call readiness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

NMS

SAP

GIS

CIS

Job description

NiSource Inc. in Merrillville, IN seeks a Leader for Electric Operations to oversee a team providing emergency response, dispatch, and system switching for maintenance and improvements. You will drive safety, operational excellence, and staff development across front-line workers.

The role requires extensive leadership, strong safety knowledge, and the ability to coordinate with internal/external groups to ensure reliable service and adherence to budgets. On-call and rotating shifts may apply.