Director of Operations - Nebraska

Job Description

Job Specifications

Our Nebraska Gas Director of Operations oversees a team of 353 individuals and is responsible for 300,000 natural gas customers in 319 communities.  This position is absolutely critical to our Nebraska Gas Operations. We are looking for an experienced individual from the energy or utility industry to lead our team whose number one mission is to provide our customers with safe, reliable energy. We seek an individual who is growth-minded and that can take our team to the next level.

SALARY RANGE:  $127,250 - $209,750 (Determined by the knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant.)

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:   Vice President – NE Operations 

LOCATION:  Lincoln, Nebraska

• A comprehensive relocation package is offered for this position! Details about this package will be shared during the interview and offer process. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure that safety, financial, operational, regulatory, and customer service goals are developed, communicated, monitored, and achieved.
• Position the organization to safely and reliably serve our natural gas customers and communities, driving delivery of first-class utility customer service.
• Assist and lead in developing the 5-year strategic plan, capital plan, and operating budgets.
• Assist in the development of corporate initiatives that span natural gas operations on an enterprise-wide basis. 
• Lead and manage the safety culture through safety programs and emergency response plans. 
• Provide mentorship and coaching throughout the year to the Nebraska Gas Leadership team’s development. 
• Active involvement in analysis and support of rate reviews and other regulatory matters.
• Manage third-party contractors to ensure appropriate pricing, qualifications, and compliance with terms/conditions of contract. 
• Review and update policies, procedures, and work rules as needed to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations and standards at the state and federal level. 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review and approve work orders, capital project spending, contracts, and various permits.
• Maintain strong and open working relationships with internal partners including, but not limited to gas engineering, legal, regulatory, IT, HR, etc. and with external partners including, but not limited to community leaders, the Nebraska Public Service Commission and the State Fire Marshall’s office.
• With the assistance of Human Resources, support leaders in efforts to attract, retain, and develop the diverse, top talent needed to meet the business goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 10 years of increasingly progressive leadership and management experience, within the utility, energy, or a related field is required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. 

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of natural gas transmission, and distribution systems including pipeline safety, construction, operations, maintenance, and regulations.
• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, monitor and accomplish strategic goals.
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct workload and prioritize business needs.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills.  Ability to articulate, communicate and influence.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple major projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to represent the company in front of various stakeholders: employee groups, major customers, regulatory agencies, governmental officials, and industry associations.
• Innovative thinking and the ability to adjust to quickly changing business needs.
• Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining agreements and their application in the workplace.
• Possess strong financial, analytical, and operational understanding to properly review projects to ensure they meet company expectations.

MENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The mental and physical descriptions are representative of the activities an employee in an office job performs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mental Requirements: Understand, remember, apply oral and/or written instructions or other information, and communicate routine factual information. Understand opposing points of view on highly complex issues and to negotiate and integrate different viewpoints. Make decisions which have significant impact on the Company's credibility, operations, and services.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee continuously accesses, inputs, and retrieves electronic information and communicates regarding the information. Employee frequently moves about the office space. Employee must be able to operate routine office equipment including computers and similar equipment. Must be able to routinely perform this work for an average of 6-8 hours per day and occasional extended hours as necessary. Must be capable of regular, reliable, and timely attendance.

Specific lifting abilities required by this job include light work. The employee is continuously moving about the job site or office space. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of reaching and moving controls exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.

About our Company: We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package!  Annual incentive program, 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, paid time off, additional Veteran PTO, paid holidays and annual floating holidays, company paid short term and long term disability, paid maternity and paternity benefits, health and wellness program, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. 

Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.