Manager, Capital Design

Manager, Capital Design

Oshawa Power, a subsidiary of Oshawa Power & Utilities Corporation, and affiliate of fiber optic, district energy and renewable generation businesses, is the local hydro-electric distribution company that supplies electricity to more than 60,000 customers in the city of Oshawa. Located just 45 minutes east of Toronto off the shores of Lake Ontario, Oshawa serves as the economic engine for the Durham Region. Home to Lakeridge Health, Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa boasts a diversified economy ranging from advanced manufacturing and power generation to information technology and transportation.

Oshawa Power maintains 1000 km of overhead and underground distribution lines within a 150 km² service territory, operated at 44 and 13.8 kV, supplied by 9 distribution and 3 transmission substations. The organization is committed to the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of electricity through responsible financial management, strategic reinvestment and continuous innovation.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the VP of Engineering & Operations, the Manager of Capital Design will oversee, direct, prioritize, review and approve electrical distribution system designs related to capital expansion, system renewal and customer connections. The successful candidate will lead a team of highly skilled design technicians focused on providing a superior customer service experience, and will be a key representative of Oshawa Power to proactively engage, advocate and develop effective working relationships and coordinated projects with community partners, stakeholders, developers, contractors, vendors, municipalities and other utilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

General

• Establish and prepare annual construction and capital design schedules
• Oversee quality, accuracy, safety, reliability, maintainability, constructability, appropriateness and aesthetics of capital designs; strive to deliver design packages that are high quality, on time and within budget
• Develop, assess and continuously improve capital project estimates; approve capital project budgets and change orders; review and approve offers to connect
• Manage, assign and schedule daily work of design staff; provide technical guidance as required
• Help develop, prepare and execute the distribution system plan
• Develop, prepare and approve distribution system equipment and construction standards
• Champion stakeholder engagement and coordinated municipal and utility construction
• Develop and improve departmental work flows and processes
• Introduce, measure, monitor and manage key performance indicators and targets, including activity and program based benchmarking
• Track, analyze and review design throughput, budget, and work quality variances; determine corrective actions where required
• Ensure regulatory and code compliance; maintain adequate design records
• Liaise with and resolve escalated issues concerning customers, contractors, vendors, regulators and municipalities

Detailed Design

• Review and approve detailed capital design packages ready to be issued for construction
• Ensure standard design drawings, bills of material and work instructions have been prepared, assembled and applied appropriately
• Review and approve deviations from required standards; perform engineering studies, assessments and calculations; use engineering analysis software
• Assist other engineers, or take the lead on the specification, review and approval of distribution system electrical equipment and the creation of new standard design drawings
• Create, update and modify load forecasts
• Ensure the GIS is accurate and up to date as the distribution system is altered, constructed and put into service

Capital Program

• Identify, develop and prepare capital construction program and project justifications
• Engage developers to forecast subdivision construction schedules and in-service target dates
• Balance resources to meet planned and emerging capital design work requests; engage procurement and construction staff to prepare for surges in work volume; work toward equalizing work volumes throughout the year and designing planned work ahead of schedule
• Prepare monthly capital construction progress reports; account for deviations in plan

Management

• Manage supervisory, professional technical, and collective bargaining unit design staff
• Set yearly performance targets; provide routine performance feedback
• Enforce corporate policies, procedures and standards adherence
• Manage attendance, performance, interpersonal and customer interaction issues
• Define department specific training plans to maintain design proficiency and competence
• Research and develop business cases to introduce new technology, tools and work methods to improve design efficiency and accuracy
• Create, promote and manage career development plans for staff

Safety & Reliability

• Ensure adherence to OHSA, EUSR, UWPC, OESC and Ontario Regulation 22/04
• Implement appropriate engineering controls, rigor and due diligence in all work processes
• Conduct safety audits of staff; ensure PPE is worn and that corporate policies and standard operating procedures are followed
• Routinely accompany inspectors during construction verification; assess build quality, design adherence and the potential for design improvements
• Report and document all system problems, equipment failures and defects; work with other engineers or take the lead to conduct root cause analysis and prevent recurrence
• Review and analyze equipment and system data; identify trends and recommend upgrades, repairs or design alterations to improve system safety & reliability

Other

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
• Licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, CAD and GIS systems
• Experience with engineering analysis software such as CYME and SPIDA considered an asset
• Knowledge of OHSA and its regulations, Safe Work Practices, Electrical Utility Safety Rules, Utility Work Protection Code, and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code
• Strong leadership aptitude; superior interpersonal and communication skills; excellent listener and motivator
• Analytical with excellent reasoning & decision making skills; ability to conduct research to support decisions and recommendations
• Organizational savvy and political acuity; ability to recognize and deal with sensitive issues in a discreet and professional manner
• Valid Class G Driver's License in good standing

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume including work experience, education, and references by September 17, 2021 to: careers@opuc.on.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when we contact you and we will work with you to meet your needs.