Line Operations - Manager, Maintenance & Construction

Chugach Electric Careers; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Chugach Electric Association in Anchorage, Alaska seeks an experienced supervisor to plan, manage, and oversee field crews for transmission and distribution line construction and maintenance. The role focuses on safe, timely, and cost-effective service delivery with coordination across crews and schedules.

You will provide leadership, ensure adherence to safety standards, and manage outages and capital projects in alignment with maintenance plans and budgets.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibility, in electric utility, electrical contractor operations, or similar discipline.
• Experience working in a utility or union environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, schedule, and manage maintenance and construction activities for transmission and distribution lines to maintain continuity of service.
• Daily presence at construction and maintenance sites; supervise and review work crews while conducting field audits and inspections; verify safety standards, procedures, and quality expectations.
• Schedule and manage projects in coordination with established construction and maintenance plans.
• Identify and advise on priority for major maintenance, facility improvements, and additions of electrical facilities.
• Coordinate outage restoration and switching requirements with System Control / Dispatch.

Skills

Leadership

Project planning

Safety

Field ops

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Summary

This position is responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing field personnel engaged in the daily construction and maintenance of transmission and distribution lines and equipment. The position provides support for functions critical to delivering reliable, timely, and cost-effective service. This position will coordinate crews, resources, and work schedules while promoting and enforcing safe maintenance and construction practices.

Job Description

This position is responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing field personnel engaged in the daily construction and maintenance of transmission and distribution lines and equipment. The position provides support for functions critical to delivering reliable, timely, and cost-effective service. This position will coordinate crews, resources, and work schedules while promoting and enforcing safe maintenance and construction practices.

Essential Functions

• Supervise, schedule, and manage maintenance and construction activities for transmission and distribution lines to maintain continuity of service.
• Daily presence at construction and maintenance sites; supervise and review work crews while conducting and documenting field audits and inspections of work sites, equipment, and facilities; verify compliance with safety standards, procedures, and quality expectations.
• Administer and assist in investigations of damages or damage claims to Chugach's facilities caused by external entities and equipment failures.
• Schedule and manage projects in coordination with established construction and maintenance plans.
• Identify and advise on the priority for major maintenance, facility improvements, and additions of electrical facilities.
• Coordinate outage restoration and switching requirements with System Control / Dispatch.
• Provide leadership, direction, and technical support to line crews and members during field operations.
• Support, promote and coordinate safety practices and programs.
• Manage line crews performing maintenance and construction activities in accordance with Federal, State, and local permit requirements.
• Participate and contribute to weekly Construction Operations Safety Meetings.
• Develop and submit weekly completion reports of Capital and Expense completed work.
• Manage in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and internal policies and procedures.
• Review and approve material requisitions and invoices.
• Develop and maintain manpower utilization plans to effectively manage system events and outages.
• Prepare and administer employee performance reviews. Plan for staffing, training and development of department personnel.
• Establish initiatives and manage objectives to Chugach’s overall strategic goals.
• Prepare and present capital and operating budgets relating to division and contracts.
• Support continuous improvement and operational efficiency by identifying areas of opportunity and sharing recommendations with management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

• Sr. Manager, Line Operations: Report to, receive direction, guidance and decisions from.
• Managers and Leadership: Confer with and exchange information.
• Other Departments: Coordinate with and provide assistance to.

External

• Bargaining Unit Representatives
• Member-Owners: Provide assistance to.
• Contractors: Communicate with and coordinate work.
• Other Utilities: Coordinate with and maintain effective working relationships.
• State, Municipal, and Federal Agencies: Coordinate with and exchange information.

Competencies

• Knowledge of electrical utility construction, operations, and maintenance practices related to distribution and transmission lines, including logistics planning, resource planning, and project planning.
• Knowledge of budget preparation and administration and financial forecasting.
• Working knowledge of National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and State and Federal OSHA requirements.
• Familiarity with IBEW bargaining unit contract administration.
• Knowledge of electrical utility materials, equipment, tools and terminology.
• Knowledge of safe, high-quality, and productive line construction and maintenance practices.
• Ability to review project drawings and specifications and prepare man-hour and cost estimates.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, one-line diagrams, switching orders, and staking sheets for multi-voltage systems.
• Knowledge of overhead and underground distribution and transmission line construction, maintenance, and repair practices, including pole handling & setting, conductor stringing, sag and tensioning, grounding, hot sticking techniques, underground work practices, vault work and secondary work.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical directions and coaching to journeyman linemen on complex or high-risk work.
• Working knowledge of climbing techniques, fall protection, bucket truck operations, digger derrick use, and rigging practices.
• Ability to evaluate job hazards and ensure proper protective equipment, cover-up, and work procedures are followed for all line work.
• Experience with storm restoration planning, damage assessment, and leading large-scale outage recovery efforts.
• Proven ability to provide effective leadership by fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment through guidance, training, and mentorship.
• Proven ability to be self-motivated and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize assignments and delegate duties to department.
• Proven ability to uphold ethical and professional conduct.
• Demonstrated ability to organize workflow, manage multiple priorities, and effectively utilize resources.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and develop effective working relationships.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and project management software.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has supervisory responsibility for the line operations division.

Work Environment

This position requires extensive field presence and involves exposure to a variety of outdoor conditions, including remote areas, sub-freezing temperatures, and other inclement weather. Duties may include occasional travel by aircraft in varying weather conditions. Some office-based work is also required. This position is subject to 24-hour call-out on a rotational duty supervisor schedule.

Minimum Qualifications And Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, construction, or related discipline, required. Certifications in hazardous waste operations and emergency response, and CPR, preferred. OSHA Competent Person Excavation & Trench certification, preferred.

Experience

Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory responsibility, in electric utility, electrical contractor operations, or similar discipline in the field of transmission and distribution overhead, underground and substation related construction, maintenance and operations, required. Experience working in a utility or union environment, preferred.

Substitution

Additional professional experience in a similarly complex role or related field (above the 5-year minimum) may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Company Description

Chugach Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Chugach is pleased to provide reliable, affordable power to more than 92,000 members from Anchorage to the northern Kenai Peninsula, and from Whittier on Prince William Sound to Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. We service over 113,000 locations with 3,782 miles of transmission and distribution lines. We have many services that make it easy to power homes and businesses with Chugach.

A little more about us: Chugach has been around for a long time, recently celebrating 75 years! We are a stable company, in a stable industry. And while we may have stability, we are modern, sustainable and forward-thinking to ensure that we provide reliable services for generations to come. We also pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. We have several 20, 30 and 40 + year tenured employees who continue foster an inclusive, innovative corporate environment. Find your spark!

Chugach's Corporate Vision

Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Chugach's Corporate Mission

We provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Chugach's Corporate Values

Guided by our values of safety, accountability, and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, veteran's status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable, federal, state, or local law. Chugach is also an affirmative action employer. Chugach Electric does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application and throughout employment. Employees must be able to provide documentation to Chugach Electric to show their identity and authorization to work.

Benefits

HEALTH BENEFITS

Premium & Deductible are paid for by Chugach Electric. The plan includes coverage of:

• Medical, RX, Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Telemedicine