Description

City of Charlevoix - Electric Department Director

City of Charlevoix Profile

Title: Director 

FLSA: Exempt

STATUS: Full-time, non-union

Department: Electric Department

Reports To: City Manager

Position Purpose and Objectives:

Responsible for all operations of the Electric Department, including planning, organizing and directing Electric
Department employees and activities. Also responsible for performing technical engineering and related
administrative work, and planning, directing, and organizing municipal construction projects. Performs liaison
and staff work for the City Manager.

Scope and Environment:

Must maintain a close working relationship with the City Manager, City Council, residents/ratepayers, and City
staff. He/she must present a positive image of the City at all times. Although the work is generally in an office
setting, he/she occasionally works outdoors in various weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts,
and/or in precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, airborne particles, and to
high voltage. He/she is required to maintain prompt response-time and regular staffing of the facilities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides management and leadership for the Electric Department by developing, implementing,
  managing, and reviewing objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department.
• Directs the preparation of design specifications, cost estimates, and inspections of electric utilities;
  analyzes and recommends utility rates.
• Prepares drawings and topographical and relief maps as needed.
• Plans and directs the operation and maintenance of designated fleet and facilities/buildings, including
  responsibility for replacement of equipment and management of improvements/upgrades.
• Prepares detailed budget recommendations (for review and approval by the City Manager and City
  Council) that accurately reflect the anticipated costs for Electric Department activities and assists other
  departments in same as budgets relate to capital projects.
• Direct capital improvement projects and monitor contractors and subcontractors performance. Prepare
  bids and requisitions for plant equipment, materials, supplies, and services. Manage state and federal
  grants for assigned engineering projects.
• Direct hiring, training, and professional development of staff; work with employees, management and
  unions to correct deficiencies. Revise and maintain a health and safety program that includes frequent
  training, regular inspections, and timely documentation and remediation of unsafe conditions and
  unsafe acts.
• Coordinate work of the department with that of other City departments, outside vendors, and various
  governmental and nongovernmental agencies, such as other utility and service providers and
  subcontractors, and local businesses and industries.
• Attend City Council meetings to present budgets, activity reports, plans for future activities, and other
  related initiatives and their impact on the City.
• Participate in and represent City interests at the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) and make
  recommendations to Council concerning future power generation and transmission issues. Attend
  other regional meetings to coordinate action both inside and outside the community. For example,
  attend MPPA/MMEA and follow through on resolutions and Council actions. Represent the City,
  participating in on-going and new projects and studies of power generation and transmission, load
  growth predictions, load duration curves, costs, renewable energy projects, etc. assuring that the
  Department stay current with existing and emerging State and Federal requirements.
• Perform administrative work for the City Manager in various phases of municipal operations.
• Maintain currency in applicable technical fields.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate from a college or university of recognized standing with a degree in electrical engineering or
  related subjects and at least eight years experience (or equivalent combination of education and
  experience) involving various phases of municipal electric utility management, public works design,
  construction, maintenance and repair activities, and have administrative experience involving a variety
  of municipal management activities.
• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan is strongly preferred.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license.

Deadline to apply: Friday, October 31, 2025. Please submit cover letter, resume and five professional references to walshmuni@gmail.com.

The City of Charlevoix is an Equal Opportunity Employer.