Operations Lead

umatillaelectric; Hermiston (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4‑10 Schedule (Friday's Off)

401(K) up to 11% Company Contribution

Pension Plan (100% Employer Sponsored)

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits

Competitive Wages

Vacation, Sick Leave and 11 paid holidays

Gym Membership Subsidy

Employer Sponsored Training

Various Opportunities for Fundraising

Job summary

Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Hermiston, Oregon, seeks an Operations Lead to oversee project management for various crews while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. Success in this role requires at least ten years of experience in electric utility administration and a strong background in supervisory roles.

The ideal candidate will promote a positive culture, coordinate cross-functional teams, and manage operational efficiency. This position offers a 4-day work week along with competitive benefits, including a pension plan and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of experience in electric utility administration, with three years in a supervisory position.
• Familiarity with the National Electrical Safety Code and Rural Utilities Services standards.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project management for system operators and maintenance crews.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams for inspections and maintenance.

Skills

Understanding of hazardous energy control procedures

Knowledge of utility line construction equipment

Competency in electric utility administration

Supervisory skills

Computer skills (MS Office, scheduling software)

Education

BA/BS in Management/Engineering

Tools

SCADA

OMS

Job description

Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) is the 3rd fastest growing Co‑op in the U.S. and Bonneville Power Administration’s 8th largest transmission customer. UEC offers top‑tier benefits and a coveted 4‑day work week.

The Operations Lead is responsible for overseeing and implementing project management that covers system operators as well as right‑of‑way, line, service, and maintenance crews. This individual will be capable of resolving escalations and will require coordination with other departments. The Operations Lead includes supervisory responsibilities including delegation of work to personnel. They will actively promote a positive culture and assure safety standards and company policies are adhered to. This position will work closely with other Superintendents to assure clear communications and effective teamwork.

Umatilla Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Hermiston, Oregon. Located seven miles south of the Columbia River, the Hermiston area has become a hub for logistics and data center activity. The area is 30 minutes south of the Tri‑Cities in Washington and offers plentiful recreational opportunities such as golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and snow skiing.

Benefits

• 4‑10 Schedule (Friday's Off)
• 401(K) up to 11% Company Contribution
• Pension Plan (100% Employer Sponsored)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits options
• Competitive Wages
• Vacation, Sick Leave and 11 paid holidays
• Gym Membership Subsidy
• Employer Sponsored Training
• Various Opportunities for Fundraising and giving back to the community

Summary

The Operations Superintendent position is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating department activities and personnel. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the organization. Capable of resolving escalated issues and requiring coordination with other departments. Plans and directs the system maintenance and service activities. Carries out all applicable supervisory responsibilities including delegating functional activities to personnel. Actively promotes a positive culture and assures safety standards and company policies are adhered to. This position will work closely with other Superintendents to assure clear communications and effective teamwork.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Promotes and maintains a safe work environment by adhering to all applicable safety regulations, performing tasks safely, and promptly reporting workplace incidents to the Operations Manager and Safety Coordinator.
• Leads and coordinates the operations team to ensure timely response to outages and to drive continuous improvements in system reliability.
• Coordinates with cross‑functional teams to complete inspections, maintenance, and construction projects, ensuring adherence to quality standards and schedule requirements.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable UEC procedures for meter placement and activation. Collaborates with other departments to perform routine audits of new meter installations, verifying accurate data transmission for billing purposes.
• Sets standards of performance and provides training and assistance to employees in the department to ensure quality of work performed.
• Prepares budgets for the Manager of Operations, covering system maintenance, inspections, and associated tools and equipment to support operational efficiency and cost control.

Job Duties

• Coordinates manpower and performs weekly field inspections to oversee construction, maintenance, and operations activities, ensuring safe, efficient execution in alignment with project requirements.
• Manages and supervises activities of workers engaged in construction, maintenance and operational functions of the cooperative.
• Stays current with industry best practices, equipment, and procedures in the electric power sector, and implements strategies to maximize personnel and equipment efficiency within assigned areas.
• Participates in accident investigations, contributing to root cause analysis, lessons learned and development of corrective and preventative actions.
• Supports company policies and procedures and develops specific operating procedures for approval.
• Assures operations are within various State, Federal and RUS guidelines.
• Recruits, and supervises workers directly or through a foreman.
• Partners with local union leadership and Labor Relations to develop a healthy working relationship, build a collaborative environment, and resolve employee issues.
• Completes employee evaluations on time and provides meaningful feedback for each employee. May approve apprentice and pre‑apprentice evaluations.
• Serves in the "Tech on Call" rotation to support after hour’s member needs. Is the primary contact for Tech on Call duties.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation in the workplace.
• Conducts themselves in a manner that reflects well on UEC and contributes to harmonious relations with members and the general public.
• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor and/or manager.

Supervisor Responsibility

Manages union and non‑union represented employees. Oversees and monitors contractor performance. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of direct reports. 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; evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving employee concerns.

Qualifications

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications

Education: BA/BS in Management/Engineering preferred. Eight (8) years of experience may be substituted for education.

Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as an electric utility administrator, journey level craft worker or engineer plus three (3) years in a supervisory position. Experience managing a Union Contract is preferred. Must demonstrate competency in the understanding of hazardous energy control procedures and be familiar with utility line construction equipment and work practices. Must be knowledgeable of the specifications and operating principles of power transmission and distribution equipment as well as voltage control, system protection, metering, and automation concepts. Must have a working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and be familiar with Rural Utilities Services (RUS) or other electric utility construction specification standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, members, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including MS Office Products and operations within Windows operating system, as well as communication by e‑mail and use of scheduling software. Experience with OMS and SCADA are preferred.
• Commercial Driver’s License preferred to support occasional business needs.
• Journeyman Lineman Certificate is preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled