Assistant Operations Manager - Lakeland Electric

Posted By: Joanna White Career Center,
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
This is a highly technical and management-level supervisory position. This position schedules and directs the operations, maintenance, and environmental activities of multi-fueled, high-pressure steam, combined-cycle, and reciprocating internal combustion engine power-generating units at multiple plant site locations. An employee in this classification is responsible for coordinating the activities of the rotating operating shifts, providing 24/7 coverage at all three plant facilities, and working under the direction of the Operations Manager at Lakeland Electric's Production Division. Work is reviewed through work orders, written reports, conferences and meetings, and the overall availability and reliability of the generating units.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Manages the safe and reliable operation of modern gas, oil, and reciprocating engine electric power-generating units at three separate plant sites.  
  • Ensures environmental compliance related to operational performance and work activities.
  • Enforces employee compliance with the City of Lakeland's and Lakeland Electric's Energy Production department rules and policies.
  • Resolves conflicts within Operations' workgroups and assists in resolving conflicts between subordinate workgroups and other peer workgroups.
  • Reviews and reports on system malfunctions and unit trips, ensuring actions are taken and conclusions are documented.
  • Oversees water chemistry and verifies we operate within specified limits.
  • Maintains sufficient chemical inventory to ensure Operational continuity.
  • Supervises and manages Operations personnel, including the selection, training, and development, assigning and monitoring work, and individual performance, including recognition and issue resolution within Production, all in accordance with established operating procedures, policies, and regulatory requirements.
  • Oversees the scheduling of five rotating shifts to ensure proper coverage is maintained for safe operational continuity.
  • Directs and reviews operational work performed by skilled and semi-skilled workers engaged in keeping plants and equipment operating safely and with good physical appearance.
  • Coordinates work between shifts and provides continuity through effective communications regarding equipment status and operational changes.
  • Provides guidance and performance reviews to direct reports and subordinates.
  • Plans and/or coordinates the schedules of unit maintenance and operational testing with Engineering, Maintenance, Environmental, outside contractors, and Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP) Dispatch.
  • Manages assigned contracts (Everllence Long Term Maintenance, Siemens Training, etc.). 
  • Manages divisions of responsibility by coordinating vendor support and directing internal resources.
  • Identifies training and qualification requirements of direct reports and subordinates, and identifies required training in the production annual training budget.
  • Reviews water chemistry and oil analysis data, as well as a variety of inspection reports on plant equipment.
  • Ensures follow-up actions or work orders are written, prioritized, and scheduled accordingly.  
  • Manages preventative maintenance (PM) requirements for each generating facility and provides guidance and follow-up review for assigned tasks.
  • Manages all operating procedures and reviews updates as needed.  
  • May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. 
  • May be required to work overtime and/or alternate hours, as necessary to manage a 24/7 operating schedule for the efficient operation of the department.  
  • May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.   
  • Position is designated as Mission Critical.   
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Ensures a safe work environment and compliance with process and procedural requirements, such as Lock Out Tag Out.
  • Ensures compliance with all regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), regarding operational communications, testing, reports, and responses.
  • Develops and presents information to City Management, City Commissions, and FMPP members.
  • Interfaces with our Projects Coordinator for Operator work order planning, assignment, implementation, and compliance.
  • Provides input to our Projects Coordinator for outage scope development, planning, prioritization, and duration/critical path.
  • Coordinates and tracks monthly test run results for all peaking units, focusing on quick-start capability/compliance.
  • Interface with Operations Shift Foreman for understanding and compliance with unit performance measurements and goals.
  • Ensures direct reports' and subordinates' attendance and participation in assigned Safety meetings, environmental audits, technical training, etc.
  • Conducts performance reviews, establishing clear expectations, goals, and performance standards.
  • Recognizes and rewards good performance and addresses poor performance and safety issues through coaching and by proper use of disciplinary action.
  • Makes regular inspections of our generating units, buildings, machinery, and equipment related to plant operation. Also ensures clean, organized, and sanitary control room and office locations are maintained. 
  • Instructs subordinate work groups on occupational hazards and inspects work activities and plant site conditions to ensure appropriate safety practices and precautions.
  • Establishes and reviews management reports regarding effective employee work process qualification and performance.
  • Ensures records are maintained, including retainable confined space, hot work, and equipment clearance permits. 
  • Ensures operator logs are accurate and comprehensive. 
  • Helps prepare and recommend annual budgets for operating and maintaining the units.
  • Stays informed and current with plant operating and maintenance practices.
  • Participates in Production's processes to plan, develop, and establish effective standards, processes, goals, and performance measures related to power generation work.
  • Leads and drives toward the root cause of significant events.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)
  • High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED. 
  • Ten years of combined experience in electric power generation, five years of which are in a combined cycle plant.
  • Seven years of experience in a supervisory role, power plant control room operations, project management, incident response, or a combination of these areas totaling seven years.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
  • Two years of college-level courses or a technical degree from an accredited college is preferred.
  • Satisfactory completion of required training and knowledge/skills testing. 
  • Must be willing to work flexible hours to meet the needs of this position and specific job functions.
  • Must be available to take calls 24/7 from Operations personnel to ensure the safe, continuous, reliable operation of our generating units. 
  • Emergency response Incident Command Structure training, including ICS-100, 200, 300, and 700, within one year of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE:
  • Knowledge of generation dispatch and marketing processes and how generation unit availability, reliability, and efficiency affect dispatch and operation within the connected transmission system.
  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements, including environmental (EPA, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), etc.), safety (Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)), and security (NERC and DHS).
  • Knowledge of and experience with personal computers, including the following computer applications: Maximo, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
  • Thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance processes associated with multi-fueled power generators, including high-pressure steam units, combined cycle units, combustion turbine peaking units, diesel peaking units, reciprocating engines, and associated supporting and environmental systems.
  • Thorough knowledge of power generation policies and procedures, safety regulations, chemical hazards, and other precautions as required to promote an effective and safe workplace.
  • Thorough knowledge of the equipment, process specifications, and operating functions required to safely and efficiently operate and maintain equipment and systems that are an integral part of the generating units.
  • Thorough knowledge of locations, operating and maintenance characteristics, and requirements of the various parts of the power plant system, such as controls, lube oil system, seal oil system, etc.
SKILLS:
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Skill in managing people, generation processes, budgets, and material supplies.
  • Skill and proficiency in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Maximo software.
ABILITIES:
  • Ability to create, maintain, and support a safe work environment.
  • Ability to establish and communicate directives and goals to peers and subordinates.
  • Ability to effectively delegate responsibility and authority to subordinates and effectively manage people.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and a large staff of technical, skilled, and semi-skilled employees, other City employees, and the general public.
  • Ability to calculate flow rates, ratios, percentages, and heat rates. 
  • Ability to assess pressures and temperatures, steam tables, and generator capability curves. 
  • Ability to coordinate and manage the economic dispatch of generating units and respond to service interruptions or loss of generating capacity.
  • Ability to plan and determine the proper course of action based on personal observations and experiences.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • The job requires some sedentary work with some walking or standing, exerting up to 30 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
  • The job risks include occasional exposure to traffic, electrical voltage, heights, pollen, dust, noxious fumes, toxic chemicals, extreme cold/hot temperatures, adverse weather conditions, bright/dim light, and loud noise.
  • The job requires normal hearing, speaking, visual perception, field of vision, color perception, depth perception, sense of smell, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination).  Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone.  Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders.  Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace.  This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.  All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

To view the complete description and to apply, visit here.