Substation Crew Chief

POSITION TITLE: INTERNAL ONLY - Substation Crew Chief (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8047
DEPARTMENT: L&P Operations & Technology
LOCATION: UTILITIES SERVICE CTR - BLDG A
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $130,043.00 - 135,719.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: This is a step level position. The salary for the selected candidate will fall within the range above.
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/17/2025.

You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) - eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement + company contributions - after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

Technical and mechanical work related to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of electric distribution substations and the overall electric distribution system through maintenance, construction, and the development and application of construction standards, material specifications, and Electric Service Standards, as well as training for designers, construction, and operations personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Carries out managerial responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include recruitment, selection, hiring, development, and retention efforts; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising and managing performance; rewarding and recognizing employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Builds high performing teams.
• Leads change and transition initiatives.
• Collaborates with Light and Power and other City departments, leadership, and employees.
• Leads and fosters a positive work culture and employee engagement in the workgroup and organization.
• Communicates with other Light and Power workgroups including GIS, Engineering, Warehouse,
• Metering, Supervisory Control, and Standards to accomplish organizational objectives.
• Maintains cooperative and compatible working relations with internal and external customers, employees, contractors, and managers.
• Works as a Project Manager, assigns work, and performs associated duties specific to such projects.
• Supervises other Substation Specialists
• Assumes responsibility for job site, employee, and public safety.
• Performs high voltage switching and other duties as assigned.
• Works independently as troubleshooter for the utility after hours, during emergencies, and on weekends.
• Monitors and tracks time sheets of direct and indirect reports following Utilities and City Policies and Procedures.
• Maintains high and low voltage equipment. Performs high voltage switching and other duties as assigned.
• Works independently as a troubleshooter for the utility after hours, during emergencies, and on weekends.
• Constructs or coordinates with contractors to construct substations, including site preparation and installing of underground conduit, ground grid, breakers, power transformers, etc.
• Installs and terminates control, metering, and wiring related to protective relay switchboards and substation electrical equipment.
• Troubleshoots and maintains substation equipment, including protective relays.
• Inspects switches, breakers, bushings, and bus work for proper adjustment, contamination, chips, cracks, or other damage.
• Performs acceptance testing and troubleshooting of 15KV padmount switches.
• Performs manufacturer's preventive maintenance on substation power transformers and 15KV switchgear.
• Maintains plant UPS and back-up generator systems.
• Maintains substations and UPS batteries by performing load bank testing, cell voltage testing, specific gravity testing, cleaning, and manufacturer's specified maintenance.
• Procures and maintains adequate spare parts and mechanical supplies.
• Performs monthly inspections of substation equipment and produces status reports in hardcopy and/or computer database formats.
• Works in conjunction with Substation Relay/Comm Tech on SCADA, relay and control systems, and associated wiring.
• Recommends and specifies test equipment and supplies for inclusion in proposed budget.
• Develops and maintains documentation related to substation maintenance and operations procedures.
• Responsible for field as-builts of mechanical and electromechanical drawings.
• Supervises and maintains the mechanical aspects of the communications general plant related to distribution automation communication systems and devices.
• Must be willing and able to work on-call 24 hour days, including, weekends and holidays.

Management Responsibilities

Yes

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of equipment maintenance and repair.
• Knowledge of HVAC systems.
• Knowledge of electrical principles.
• Knowledge of substation construction and operation.
• Knowledge of 125v battery banks.
• Ability to use specialized tools and equipment pertaining to substation construction and operation.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, diagrams, and manufacturer's instruction books.
• Manage project and contract administration tasks.
• Responsible for the analysis and recommendations regarding existing and new applications.
• Working knowledge of Capital Projects Procedures in order to generate, maintain, and update project/city documents, technical specifications, and Request-for-Proposals (RFP), and bids.
• Coordinates and inspects the work of outside entities contracted to do studies, design, construction, installation, or maintenance.

Required Qualifications

MinimumPreferred

Associates / Bachelor's degree or other specialized skill training / certification may be required in some positions.
Associate's degree in electric, electronic, or degree or other mechanical sciences or equivalent from two-year specialized skill training college or technical school or utility substation certification may be apprentice program.

Experience Requirements

• Five years related experience in a leadership capacity of constructing, operating, and maintaining substations; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Valid driver's license. Class B Commercial driver's license.

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Substation Crew Chief
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana,whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.