Superintendent of Substations

Position Title: Superintendent of Substations

Department: Technical Services

Reports to: Manager of Control Center

Supervision Received: Limited Supervision

Supervision Exercised: Supervises Individual Contributors

FLSA Status: Exempt

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:    

• Primary duty is in customarily and regularly directing the work of at least one or more other full-time employees or their equivalent, and managing the enterprise or a customarily recognized department or subdivision; including:
• Coordinate and lead training efforts of all reporting personnel as needed.
• Require that all Bluebonnet safety rules are followed and safe practices are used at all times and in all situations.
• Work with direct reports to develop clear, challenging, and obtainable goals for each team member.
• Promote development of team member skills, technical skills improvement, and a positive workplace environment.
• Develop, manage and adhere to the departmental budget(s).
• Maintain a high level of technical competence and knowledge of emerging technologies.
• Attend cross-functional meetings and work closely with other departments to ensure achievement of Cooperative strategic goals.
• Provide honest performance feedback to direct reports through the PMD process at least twice per year including guidance to assist employees in meeting their career development goals. Also, solicit suggestions for improvements.
• Ensure that all positions are properly staffed.
• Provide a high level of service to both members and internal customers.
• Continually develop a friendly, professional departmental atmosphere that gives everyone a chance to be successful in his or her position.
• Continually develop and recommend more efficient and effective processes and/or products to provide improved service to members and staff. Encourage direct reports to do likewise.
• Recruit, train, lead and assess performance of staff to ensure the effective completion of assigned duties.
• Is responsible for the selection, promotion, and if the need arises, the transfer, discipline and discharge of all employees within the department.
• Must be able to appropriately handle confidential information and act within the practices established by the Bluebonnet Red Flag policy.
• Maintain professional working relationships with all employees, members, and vendors at all times.

Tools and Equipment Used:   

• Office Equipment including computer, printer, copier, fax, etc.
• May be required to drive a cooperative vehicle.
• May be required to operate heavy equipment; including the portable substation.
• According to established business need, must maintain a mobile phone and appropriate communication plan.

Physical Demands:  

• Requires repetitive motion of hands and fingers such as dialing and keyboarding.
• May require lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to present information to others and perform under stress.

Work Environment:

• Primarily office working conditions in a typical office environment.
• May have occasional outside work in extreme weather conditions.
• May work in areas of low light or dark conditions.
• Hours are consistent with normal business operations as well as employee and member requirements, though may be required to take supervisor callout.
• Ability to travel frequently within Bluebonnet service area.
• Attendance at evening meetings, conferences, workshops and other professional meetings including overnight travel may be required.

Education and Experience:   

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, or Information Technology from an accredited institution in the United States, or 7 – 10 years of progressively responsible position in line construction, maintenance, substation operation and maintenance, or technology experience in an electric utility distribution system.
• 5+ year’s supervisory responsibility preferred
• 2+ years in a management role of an electric utility and prior exposure to strategic planning and development procedures preferred

Licensing and Certification:

• Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License
• Must be certified in CPR, First Aid, AED and Blood-borne pathogens.
• Requires a DOL Journeyman Lineman certification preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of Bluebonnet service area, transmission and distribution system.
• Advanced knowledge of distribution utility operational processes.
• Knowledge of basic electrical theory and utility industry and Bluebonnet specific design concepts.
• Advanced knowledge of all areas of responsibility indicated as essential Duties and Responsibilities.
• Knowledge of substations in service area and understands the related equipment and work safety in substations.
• Able to work independently and under pressure.
• Advanced skill in all applicable enterprise and department specific software and applications. 
• Advanced knowledge of cooperative policies and guidelines.
• Able to communicate effectively and in a positive manner; focused on improvement or problem resolution in a constructive, positive, and professional manner.
• Interpersonal skills that result in the effective supervision and direction of office and field personnel.
• Exceptional organizational and problem solving skills.
• Thorough understanding of general employment law.
• Able to determine and handle confidential information in a professional manner.
• May require knowledge and understanding of system maps, staking sheets and manuals.  
• May require knowledge of line feeds, line sectionalizing and coordination, sectionalizing equipment locations, feeder loading issues, special equipment-voltage regulators, capacitors and step-transformers.
• Requires advanced knowledge of technology-based systems utilized in distribution, transmission and substation utility operational processes.
• Requires basic algebra and trigonometry as they apply to Electrical Systems.
• Requires extensive knowledge and understanding of protective relaying.
• Requires extensive knowledge of SCADA software, hardware, protocols and operations; including Distribution Automation and source transfer schemes.
• Requires extensive knowledge of the following programs and regulatory entities (NERC, EEA program, LAARS program and UFLS program).
• Requires extensive knowledge of the Bluebonnet and LCRA switching manuals, best practices and must actively be involved in reviewing and making amendments if necessary.
• Requires extensive knowledge of both substation/transmission and distribution maintenance manuals.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Applications will be accepted through November 9, 2026.