Substation Supervisor

The Substation Supervisor is responsible for supervising Substation crews and overseeing electric substations operations, new construction, and maintenance. Serves as backup to Substations management in administering department supervision and leadership.

The Substation Supervisor, with guidance and approval from Substations management will develop processes and procedures to be followed by Substations personnel performing tasks in construction, operations, and maintenance of electric substation and transmission facilities to include distribution breakers and apparatus, transmission breakers and apparatus, power transformers, control systems, structures, substation properties, and transmission rights of way. Serves as senior technical expert support and, on occasion, as backup to Technicians responding during and after normal business hours to all trouble calls relating to Substations in all weather conditions.

Demonstrates safe driving habits and maintains a clean driving record. Expected to demonstrate independent critical thinking, sound judgment, and responsible decision making in order to execute both routine and abnormal work activities safely and efficiently. The Substation Supervisor leads and develops subordinate Technicians, transferring knowledge and building the overall team's capability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

- Assists management as assigned with administering personnel processes and developing human resources including:

- Review applications and interviewing candidates for subordinate Technician positions

- Coach and develop personnel on all aspects of department processes

- Administer weekly, quarterly, and annual staff work schedules, duties, and goals

- Approve & monitor leave requests to ensure adequate coverage, backs up duties when needed

- Supports staff with challenges or special projects needing escalated attention

- Promote open communication with direct reports to enhance teamwork

- Develop and administer training and professional development plans

SUBSTATION DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION

- Assists management as assigned with department administration processes including:

- Support creation and monitoring capital and O&M budgets and expenses

- Develop and revise specifications for materials, equipment, and contracts

- Requisition goods and services and manage procurements for the department

- Code receipts and invoices to ensure proper expense accounting

- Recommend, develop, and implement process improvements

SUBSTATION AND TRANSMISSION OPERATIONS

- Ensure clean and organized work areas such as:

- Service Trucks

- Control Houses

- Storerooms and work stations

- Demonstrates technical expertise in S&T equipment and operations such as:

- Relay and control and data acquisition systems

- Design drawings, schematics, and symbiology

- Physical and cyber security

- Supervise and delegate operations tasks such as:

- Projects to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable electric service

- 12.5 kV and 138 kV switching operations

- Investigate and gather information with or on behalf of consultants

- Support NBU staff with tasks related to or collocated with substations and transmission rights of way

- Review proposed plan sets and technical specifications for operational validity and accuracy

- Schedule, plan, and successfully complete annual training including at least:

- One approved technical skills course

- One approved professional development event

SUBSTATION AND TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE

- Maintain and Administer routine S&T maintenance plans to ensure proper operation of all systems such as:

- Periodic site and equipment inspections and resolve reported deficiencies

- Systematically perform maintenance items prescribed by equipment manufacturers

- Ensure proper pressures in compressed gas systems

- Identify equipment needing replacement, adjustment, or modification

- Schedule infrared camera inspections and address areas of concern

- Power and control system repairs

- Upkeep of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems

- Establish and maintain S&T site and right of way maintenance programs

- Supervise periodic and reactive inspections of transmission lines and rights of way and resolve reported deficiencies

- Ensure department tools and equipment are available and maintained as required

SUBSTATION AND TRANSMISSION CONSTRUCTION

- General construction monitoring and coordination

- Supervise building, modification, and enhancements of substation and transmission facilities

- Ensure safety and quality of construction and capital improvement activities performed on and around NBU facilities by others such as:

- Contractors and consultants

- NBU staff

- LCRA and other utility Personnel

- Construction Project Management duties such as the following:

- Review and develop construction project contracts, design drawings, and specifications

- Supervise contractors and consultants and inspect their work products

- Resolve requests for information and change orders

- Resolve material procurements

- Review project after completion and report successes, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

- Must be flexible with time and tasks

- Receives and executes directions from Substations management

- Ability to work

- on and near equipment energized at hazardous voltage levels

- in confined spaces and at hazardous heights

- Ability to read, write, and understand verbal and written communications in English

- Ability to understand design plan sets and technical specifications

- Ability to lift and carry tools, equipment, and materials in hazardous environments and across uneven ground

- Ability to distinguish colors accurately

- Maintain regular attendance; leave schedule should be managed so as to not interfere with ability to accomplish tasks, including special projects and assignments with deadlines

- Adhere to NBU safety and administrative policies, procedures, and practices at all times and in all situations

- Ensure NBU staff, contracted staff, and visitors adhere to NBU safety and security standards

- Develop & maintain effective customer service skills for communications with co-workers, customers and the public in general

- Maintain strict confidentiality of business, employee and customer information in written and oral communications and safeguard sensitive documents

- Exemplifies NBU Core Values of Safety, Team, Integrity, Culture, and Stewardship

- Participate in and support initiatives to reach annual NBU Performance Measures

- Other duties as assigned

Formal Education and Work Experience Requirements

Degree/Diploma Obtained: High School Diploma/GED

Work Experience Time Frame: Five Years or More

Field of Study: General Studies

Other: Previous background in Electrical Maintenance; or Substation Construction; or Project management; or Substation O&M; or Electrical Engineering

Certification and Licensures Requirements

• OSHA 10 certification
• OSHA 30 successfully completed within first 6 months
• Previous NETA certification preferred but not required
• Previous SEL relay training preferred but not required

Other Minimum Qualifications

- Must reside within a thirty-minute response time of the NBU Service Center as measured by an internet mapping tool

- Two years of supervisory experience is required.

- Flexibility in available hours, including holidays, weekends, and/or after hours, is required.

- A valid Texas Driver’s License is required to operate a company vehicle.

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