PROJECT MANAGER - ELECTRIC UTILITY
PROJECT MANAGER – ELECTRIC UTILITY
$63,900 – $82,400, commensurate with relevant experience
Full-Time
DPU - ELECTRIC, 1392 Aurora Ave., Naperville, Illinois
Department of Public Utilities - Electric
Job Description:
The City of Naperville seeks a professional possessing three or more years’ experience leading technical projects to become Project Manager for the City’s publicly-owned Electric Utility, focusing on projects related mostly to Utility assets. Reporting to the Utility’s Asset Manager, this newly created position will successfully manage various projects for the Electric Utility with an emphasis upon coordinating Utility personnel and City Purchasing personnel in the preparation of bid specifications for needed equipment, material and services. The Project Manager prepares & tracks related purchase orders, and develops & maintains vendor relations for the Utility, and brings projects to a close within time and budget constraints.
As a public utility owned by the customers it serves, Naperville’s electric utility has proudly served the community for 120 years. Bringing power to 60,000 customers each month, the utility provides reliable, quality, responsive and cost-efficient services in support of the health, welfare & growth of the City. This is achieved principally by effective operation, maintenance and replacement activities; a well-planned and executed capital improvement program; an active employee safety and training program; and continuous public information. Locally controlled and managed, the Naperville Electric Utility provides rates that are among the lowest in the state. Other benefits of local management include greater reliability, efficiency and quicker responsiveness to customer concerns.
The 4th largest city in Illinois, Naperville’s electric utility maintains 16 substations, 60 miles of transmission and 1000 miles of distribution lines (of which 90% are underground), and has a 350 MW peak demand / 1,400,000 MWh annually. Naperville’s electric grid was enhanced and modernized via the installation of 57,000 smart-meters with a wireless mesh and fiber-optic backbone network several years ago.
Responsibilities:
As a professional manager of projects, the incumbent successfully engages other Utility staff members, staff from other City Departments, and/or vendor/contractor personnel in order to accomplish assigned project requirements (or pieces thereof); applies knowledge, skills, tools & techniques to Electric Utility project activities in order to meet project requirements; plans, executes and completes utility projects; defines the project, builds a comprehensive work plan, and manages to the budget; and is accountable for the success or failure of projects. He/she directs project teams to meet defined goals; facilitates commitment and productivity from staff and project team members; mitigates obstacles and motivates team members; and manages expectations by aligning projects to business goals, managing stakeholders, and communicating project status, milestones (and unexpected difficulties) effectively.
In addition to managing technical projects, the Utility’s Project Manager is also responsible for managing the facilities & grounds of the Naperville Electric Service Center and the utility’s 16 electric substations, overseeing related maintenance & upgrade projects and effectively coordinating on-going facilities & grounds activities with City Department of Public Works personnel. The Project Manager is responsible for facility security at the Electric Service Center and at the substation properties.
Primary duties include:
• Assisting the Utility Engineering and Operations staff with vendor bid documentation preparation, coordinating the collection of required technical specification and standards, assisting with the development of vendor qualifications, and tracking status of bids and proposals.
• Coordinating and monitoring project work performed by contractors, ensuring conformance to project specifications, budgets and timelines as assigned.
• Coordinating vendor communications with internal team members. Setting up meetings or conference calls with vendors. Assisting vendors to introduce new products to appropriate Utility representatives.
• Preparing specifications for annual contract renewals for material and services for the Utility.
• Managing/performing site security at the ESC and at substations; managing related facilities & grounds projects & processes. Coordinating with Public Works personnel the maintenance activities for the Electric Service Center and Electric substations.
• Preparing documentation and vendor qualifications for the disposition of Utility scrap.
• Coordinating, assisting, or preparing & tracking purchase requisition documentation.
Qualifications:
At a minimum, applicants must possess:
• a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (engineering preferred)
• Three years’ related experience (leading and/or directing projects, or similar). Professional project management certification may be substituted for some of the required education and/or experience.
• Project management knowledge and previous PMBOK-related training, and
• A valid State of Illinois Driver’s License
Preferred credentials include previous experience purchasing and/or obtaining material, supplies or services for an electric utility, and/or PMP certification.
Top candidates will possess knowledge of engineering and operations procedures and practices relating to the purchasing of material, supplies and services within an electric utility; currently relevant technology & software, such as AutoCAD, GIS and other department-specific technology (e.g., CitiWorks, etc.); and of project management principles.
They will also be able to demonstrate strong analytical skills, written & verbal communication skills, and problem-solving skills. They will possess proven abilities to establish & maintain effective working relationships; to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, with technical and non-technical audiences; to maintain focus in a fast-paced, multitasking environment and manage time effectively; and a desire to learn new position-related skills in a diverse, frequently changing environment.
Additional Information:
A dynamic community of 148,000 residents, the City of Naperville is conveniently located 28 miles west of Chicago, and occupies 39 square miles. It has gained national recognition for its family-friendly environment, excellent schools and library system, low crime rate and vibrant downtown area. Money Magazine frequently includes Naperville among its “Best Cities in the United States” in which to live.
It’s also an excellent place to work! The municipal government employs 900 dedicated individuals in a wide range of job categories. In return for your “great service all the time,” we’ll provide you with a collaborative working environment, a forward-looking leadership team, a competitive benefits package, plus access to the employee fitness center.
PLEASE NOTE THE APPLICATION PROCESS! 
The City of Naperville only accepts online applications. Apply by visiting the City’s main web page (www.naperville.il.us, and simply click “Careers.” Then scroll down and select the job title Project Manager – Electric Utility” for information and to apply.
It is important that your application is complete and thorough. Please include all requested education, experience, attachments and other information. Resumes and other supporting documents may be provided at the time of application; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Incomplete applications are subject to rejection. Notifications to applicants will be sent electronically to the email address you provide.
The City of Naperville complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify Human Resources in advance at (630) 305-7066.