Job Description
Lead Operations Engineer
The Lead Operations Engineer is part of a focused team committed to the efficient design, construction, operation and maintenance of compliant and safe gas and electricity distribution networks.
The Lead Operations Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day management of a team of Operations Engineers along with all asset related matters, ensuring compliance with safety, operational and technical requirements including national, industry and ESP’s own internal policies, procedures and processes. The Lead Operations Engineers role will be a hands-on role, coupled with management of the operations engineer team providing technical support to customers within the working day and as part of a 24/7 rota to cover on call support to the business.
Key Accountabilities
* Ensuring that the requirements of the ESPUG’s Health and Safety Policy are met.
* Ensuring that the requirements of the ESPUG’s Asset Management System are met.
* Undertaking and reporting upon asset / network condition and customer activity through planned site visits and formalised reporting procedures. Ensuring compliance with ESP’s internal design and construction policies and standards. Ensuring compliance with IGEM/ENA/ESP’s design, water industry, construction and safety standards as appropriate.
* Ensuring the day-to-day deployment and management of the operations engineer’s team is effectively and efficiently controlled
* Planning and scheduling of operations engineers work schedules to ensure the ESPUG governance metrics are met and exceeded where possible
* Completion and submission of all weekly, monthly and annual reporting deliverables
* Planning, reviewing and cost control of all maintenance and service activity deliverables
* Undertaking regular reviews with operations engineers, setting and managing personal objectives to support the role, departmental and company goals.
* Attending and participating in reviews and updates of the current operational procedures and technical standards.
* Providing support to give assurance that all company, industry and national requirements are understood by all UIPs/ICPs, SLP’s, contractors and service providers and any non-conformities are formally reported and managed to closure.
* Assist in maintaining current accreditations, qualification of new accreditations and industry compliance for all ESPUG assets.
* New assets - Provide assurance that assets being designed, installed, tested and commissioned are fit for business purpose, complying with industry / regulatory and legislative standards and requirements.
* Existing assets – provide assurance that assets being maintained, repaired, diverted or replaced are fit for business purpose, complying with industry / regulatory and legislative standards and requirements.
* Ensuring that service provider health and safety requirements are suitable, sufficient and implemented.
* Providing data, information and reports through audit, inspection and review to enable asset management system objectives to be met.
* Attending and participating in reviews and updates of the current operational procedures and technical requirements.
* Provide effective monitoring, operational support and guidance to ensure that asset to be adopted are constructed safely, efficiently and cost effectively.
* Management of supply and service contracts and oversight of any outsourced works.
* Carry out ESP’s technical and safety audit/inspections pre and post construction for all assets, including ESP’s suppliers.
* Undertake and support technical investigations e.g. interference damage, network incidents and other issues that may arise.
* Functionally test and check to ensure the competent deployment of people, plant and processes
* Participate in safety technical and competency (STC) reviews of new and existing UIPs/ICPs, SLP’s, contractors and other service providers to ESP.
* Assist with the authorisation and verification process of personnel working on ESPUG assets.
* Assist with UIP SCO compliance including CP and AE duties as required.
* Participate in the ESP and ESPE out of hour’s standby rota(s).
Person Specification
* A proven, positive and proactive background in leading a team of operational engineers, leading from a hands-on perspective, whilst being able to stand back and plan resource and activities accordingly.
* A strong demonstrable background in LV electrical distribution network management, maintenance and testing.
* Be able to attend sites and assess the status, specification, quality and fitness for purpose of the companies existing low voltage assets / networks and assets / sites under construction, including water and gas assets
* Demonstrate several years’ experience in the electric distribution business, knowledge of gas and water networks would be advantageous.
* Knowledge and practical experience of working with electricity, water and gas distribution networks including design, construction & operation and maintenance
* Key underpinning knowledge of the relevant industry standards, regulations, specifications and legislative requirements.
* A recognised or demonstrable background of supervisory management and/or H&S qualification such as IOSH or NEBOSH would be desirable for this role.
* Low voltage Authorised Person is essential for the role. Holding or working towards an Authorised SAP level would be desirable for this role.
* SCO authorised up to 7barg would be desirable.
* Professional registration such as Eng Tech or IEng with a professionally registered institute such as IGEM or IET.
* Knowledge of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA), and the monitoring of Customers that are using the ESPUG electronic noticing system.
* Knowledge of Wayleave, Easement and Land Transfer requirements and negotiations.
This role is remote based, but you will cover the South/London/Bucks/Oxford area including site visits. The position comes with company car and occasional overnight stays may be required. You will also be required to travel to the Head Office for meetings or locations outside your territory, as required.