Overview
Lead and direct plant engineers work for the District's hydroelectric facilities including the supervision of plant engineering staff, budgeting, planning, and oversight of engineering plant facilities. Responsible for identifying, recommending, implementing, and coordinating process improvement projects to enhance the performance and efficiencies of the hydroelectric facilities and ongoing District modernization projects, and to support compliance with regulatory requirements. Responsible for overseeing and working collaboratively with Generation plant management to design and implement best operating and maintenance practices that comply with FERC, NERC and WECC bulk electric reliability standards and in a manner that protects the safety of employees, contractors and District equipment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Chelan PUD does not sponsor work visas such as H-1B, E-3, F-1, OPT, student visas, TN, or any other visas. Candidates and employees must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the plant engineering to support effective ongoing hydro operations and maintenance practices, and timely and cost effective project implementation. Manage the activities of the team in accordance with District policies, District goals and objectives, and in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and regulatory requirements. Manage resource utilization using Primavera. Develop and maintain productive and positive working relationships with staff and management. Model District values and lead by example.
• Act as a Standard Owner, Subject Matter Expert or Contributor to NERC CIP Standards. Ensure the District meets its overall compliance obligations for each assigned standard. Oversee the development of compliant processes, controls and supporting documentation to provide assurance of compliance with assigned Standards. Actively monitor compliance with assigned Standards including, but not limited to, self-assessments. Stay abreast of changes and modifications to the assigned Standards.
• Prepare budgets, goals, objectives for the workgroup. Collaborate with plant staff and engineering departments to establish priorities. Participate in long range planning activities within the business unit. Recommend asset maintenance and replacement plan projects and priorities to Generation management, senior management, and the board of commissioners.
• Identify, recommend, implement, and coordinate hydroelectric process improvement and maintenance tasks and projects in concert with the hydro engineering project offices, contractors, and consultants. Direct and participate on hydro project teams and negotiation teams on technical and contractual issues while maintaining a global and holistic view of the project goals.
• Review and monitor startup and testing activities to ensure safe reliable commercial operation of new and rehabilitated systems & equipment.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry best practices, changes and technical trends in support of continuous process improvement for the Generation business unit.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• As an essential function, drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District.

People Management

• This position manages/supervises people. Direct Resources Managed: 2-9. Indirect Resources Managed: None.

Reports To
Director 

Overtime exemption
Exempt

Qualifications

Education
Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Civil, Mechanical or a related engineering discipline from a four-year college or university 

Experience

• 10+ years relevant and progressively responsible experience in power plant designs, construction, operations and maintenance, including project management, project engineering and major hydro rehabilitation projects is required. 
• 5+ years supervisory experience preferred 

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Driver's License at hire and WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire 
• Professional Engineer (PE) License in the State of Washington is preferred. 

Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities: 

• Extensive technical knowledge of hydroelectric power generation equipment, design, manufacturing and construction. 
• Solid knowledge of FERC, NERC and WECC bulk electric reliability standards. 
• Advanced understanding of plant system design, operations and modernization projects. 
• Working knowledge of budgeting and planning. 
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication. 
• Critical thinking and problem solving. 
• Project management. 
• Personnel management. 
• Contract negotiations. 
• Supervise and effectively lead and direct the work of others. 
• Collaboration and coordination. 
• Networking within the industry. 
• Facilitate presentations. 
• Identify, recommend, implement, and coordinate hydroelectric process improvement tasks and projects. 
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.

Physical Demands

• Sitting Frequent 34-66% 
• Standing Frequent 34-66% 
• Walking Occasional 11-33% 
• Stooping/Bending Occasional 11-33% 
• Reach Waist to Shoulder Occasional 11-33% 
• Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.) Frequent 34-66% 
• Repetitive Motions Frequent 34-66% 
• Talking Frequent 34-66% 
• Hearing Frequent 34-66% 
• Visual - Near Acuity Frequent 34-66% 
• Visual - Far Acuity Occasional 11-33% 
• Visual - Depth Perception Occasional 11-33% 

Working Conditions

• Exposure to Weather - Occasionally
• Proximity to Moving Mechanical Parts - Occasionally
• Atmospheric Conditions (dust, fumes, etc.) - Occasionally
• Exposure to Electricity - Occasionally
• Exposure to Toxic/Caustic Chemicals
  - Occasionally
• Noise Intensity Level: - Moderate

District Values

• Trust - We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve.
• Safety - We protect what matters most through the choices we make.
• Stewardship - We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations.
• Collaboration - We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power - partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future.
• Courage - We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.