Field Operations Manager Jobs in The Dalles, OR (NOW HIRING)

Home Job Manager of Engineering & Operations

Working independently and collaboratively with others, this position plays an integral role in executing the Wasco Electric Cooperative’s (WEC) mission, philosophy, and commitment to providing safe, reliable power to our members and exceptional service to our internal and external members. All employees are expected to maintain a high level of trust, integrity, and ethical standards.

As WEC’s Manager of Engineering & Operations, this position is responsible for the planning, design, operation, maintenance, and improvement of the WEC’s electric utility system, including transmission, distribution, substations, and associated communications infrastructure. This position provides leadership for engineering and operations personnel; ensures safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of electric service; oversees construction, maintenance, outage restoration, and capital improvement activities; and supports strategic planning through performance analysis, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits. The amount of time performing each function may vary day-to-day. All duties shall be performed in an efficient and professional manner in accordance with applicable labor agreements and the WEC Safety Manual and under the direct supervision of a designated supervisor.

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate departmental operations and personnel to ensure efficient, safe, and effective delivery of services consistent with WEC’s goals.
• Develop departmental goals, initiatives, and long-range plans aligned with the WEC’s strategic objectives while serving as an active member of the leadership team.
• Oversee distribution system operations, including construction, maintenance, vegetation management, inspections, outage restoration, contractor oversight, and emergency response
• Lead and promote a culture of safety while ensuring compliance with OSHA, NESC, environmental requirements, WEC’s policies, and all applicable federal, state, and local
• Recruit, develop, mentor, evaluate, and support employees; oversee performance management, succession planning, apprenticeship development, leadership training, and personnel
• Provide or oversee technical support for operations, maintenance, construction, system planning, and design activities, including engineering records, cost estimates, easements, permits, contracts, and project administration.
• Develop, administer, and monitor departmental budgets, capital improvement programs, expenditures, staffing levels, and resource allocation to support operational and strategic
• Direct procurement, inventory control, fleet management, facilities oversight, and equipment maintenance to ensure operational readiness and protection of WEC assets.
• Monitor operational, reliability, and safety performance metrics; identify process improvements; implement technologies and best practices that enhance efficiency, service quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Collaborate with finance, member services, and other departments while serving as a communication link between management and field personnel.
• Maintain productive relationships with contractors, regulators, government agencies, consultants, community organizations, and other stakeholders affecting WEC
• Stay current on utility industry trends, technologies, regulations, standards, and best practices through continuing education and professional development.
• Conduct field observations and inspections to assess work quality, reinforce safety expectations, ensure compliance, and maintain visibility with crews and contractors.
• It is the employee’s responsibility to work in a safe manner following the practices and procedures set by WEC.
• The employee may be asked to perform other related duties assigned by management that are not listed.

All WEC employees are expected to abide by WEC policies, procedures, performance expectations, and applicable state and federal guidelines. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. The above items are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of essential functions, responsibilities, duties, and requirements for personnel in this position. Actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on the business needs of the department and WEC.

Qualified candidates for this position will have relevant education and experience necessary to perform the essential functions and meet the minimum performance expectations for this position with or without accommodation.

• A Bachelor’s degree in engineering, management, or related field, or high school graduate with substantial postgraduate training and directly applicable experience in electrical utility
• A minimum of five (5) years of leadership
• At least ten (10) years’ experience in utility distribution operations or Fifteen (15) plus years of electric operations in lieu of education.
• Proficient use of the English language to communicate (including usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation) with employees, members, and members of the public.
• Coordinate inside and outside the WEC with federal, state, city, and county

• OSHA 10 & OSHA 30 certification
• Previous experience managing electric cooperatives and field personnel at an electric
• Five (5) years of experience as a journeyman lineman
• NRECA MIP graduate or similar leadership program graduate is

Must have a valid, current driver’s license, and a driving record which is deemed acceptable and insurable by WEC’s insurance carrier at standard group rates. An annual consent for the release of one’s driving record is required.

An equivalent combination of experience, education, and past accomplishments that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position may be considered in lieu of the outlined requirements. The WEC hiring manager may also consider, in their discretion, the strength of a candidate’s interpersonal communication skills, problem solving skills, growth potential in the position or with WEC, and the candidate’s likely substantive contribution given the current team dynamics.

Qualified candidates for this position will have and exhibit the following knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the successful and safe performance of assigned job duties and essential functions with or without accommodation:

• Technical Competence – Working knowledge of electrical power systems, regulatory compliance, and project management, including budgeting, resource allocation, and risk mitigation. Proficiency in engineering software, data analytics, and IT tools is essential, alongside strategic planning and integrating emerging technologies. Strong leadership and communication skills are critical for managing teams, fostering collaboration, and translating technical concepts. A focus on safety, reliability, and environmental sustainability ensures successful infrastructure management and alignment with organizational goals.
• Compliance -- Working knowledge and understanding of Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes applicable to the essential functions of the position, including SDS procedures, protocols, and formats, as well as regulations applicable to the provision of utility services.
• Communicative -- Exhibit strong interpersonal communication skills that promote open communication, teamwork, collegial working relationships, productivity, and accountability with integrity. Exercise tack, courtesy, and diplomacy while fostering a safe workplace that always promotes employee health and well-being. Demonstrate ability and competency to communicate clearly and concisely in both individual and group presentation settings.
• Detail-Oriented -- Maintain a high degree of steady work focus, well-reasoned decision making, and high attention to detail in actual work product, organization, planning, workflow, and project prioritization to ensure work is accurate, efficient, complete, and consistent with WEC’s quality of work expectations and deadlines.
• Analytical -- Demonstrate strong technical, troubleshooting, problem solving, researching, and analytical skills necessary to review, analyze and assess job-related data and information to perform duties, work through unexpected performance challenges, and to offer input for process Utilize strong organizational skills necessary for creating and maintaining accurate documentation and/or WEC records.
• Productive -- Complete a high volume of detail-oriented work methodically, accurately, and timely in a fast-paced, stressful work environment while working independently and/or with limited direction. Prioritize and complete all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for distractions, interruptions, and changing priorities, deadlines, and availability of resources. Demonstrate initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits to assist other team members.
• Growth-Oriented -- Seek out and approach training opportunities with active engagement and curiosity, while quickly learning and exhibiting understanding of WEC’s policies, protocols, and performance expectations. Demonstrate initiative to incorporate and implement learning principles from informal and formal training, as well as feedback from leaders and co-workers. Actively pursue professional development opportunities to add value to WEC, including learning, adopting, and quickly adapting to new techniques and technologies used in the changing utility industry.
• Accountable -- Perform duties well while actively demonstrating an appropriate level of accountability and responsibility for both work product results and the impact behaviors and decisions may have on the ability of others to do their jobs Work cooperatively in a team environment, while consistently demonstrating collaborative, respectful and productive work habits.
• Coachable -- Receive, interpret, and implement job-related instruction, guidance, coaching, and training (both formal and informal) while progressively improving skills and overall success in performing assigned duties. When issues of poor performance of negative behaviors are raised, incorporate feedback in a constructive manner that demonstrates understanding of the concern and an ability and willingness to demonstrate the required consistent and sustained
• Conflict Resolution -- Exhibit strong conflict resolution skills and demonstrated competency to work with a diverse population of members, contractors, vendors, and co-workers of all ages. Treat others equally with respect and dignity, even if you disagree with their point of view and/or if you are frustrated, angry or disappointed with their work output or comments.
• Self-Motivated -- Work independently and/or with limited direction at a self-directed pace sufficient to ensure work is completed timely and efficiently. Exercise initiative and resourcefulness to accomplish assignments efficiently and ask questions on complex issues or when in doubt. Problems are easily defined and solved according to policies and procedures, and order or priority of tasks can be modified within parameters set by supervisor.
• Computer Proficiency -- Proficient use and operation of WEC computers and other forms of office technology, electronic equipment, computer programs, and software applications, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, while ensuring WEC security protocols are maintained.

Maintain fitness, agility, and mental acuity levels necessary to meet the physical and mental essential functions of the position. The physical and mental requirements described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions.

• Perform duties in a safe and efficient manner while wearing appropriate and required personal protective Follow all safety regulations and protocols. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of proper body mechanic/ergonomics and use correct body position/mechanics, tools, or work aids to work, move, guide or place objects or materials.
• Correspond, communicate, exchange information, and appropriately respond to communications and work-related forms, documents and other information from employees, the Board of Directors, members, and members of the public using available technology, in person, in a public setting, and in other situations in which business information may be shared, discussed, and exchanged.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication style and steady work focus to ensure reactions and responses to both emergency and non-emergency situations, stress, ambiguity, frustration, disappointment, and disagreements serve as an example to others of appropriate workplace communications while contributing to a strong team dynamic.
• Exhibit sufficient mental acuity and sound reasoning abilities necessary to review, analyze, understand, evaluate, and interpret WEC policies and protocols, as well as Federal and State regulations applicable to WEC operations. Provide intellectually sound and well-reasoned answers, recommendations, and solutions to identify business problems, issues, and/or
• Efficiently and quickly analyze, process, manipulate, and accurately record extensive amounts of data (some of which is technical or complex in nature) and other information that serves as the basis for this Interpret, distill, and present complicated and/or technical information to employees, members, and others in understandable and relatable terms to aid and enhance levels of understanding and implementation.
• Move to, from and within our building and across company-related property or field site locations with consistently uneven Movement to