Manager, Telecommunications

Velco • Rutland, VT

22h • $118,643 - $166,100

About The Position

As the nation’s first statewide, “transmission only” company, VELCO manages the safe, reliable, cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont and as a part of the integrated New England regional network. Why you should join our team The Telecommunications Manager sits at the center of fast‑changing technology, critical business operations, and real impact on critical communications infrastructure. The telecom network you manage supports grid control systems (like SCADA), field crews, smart meters, and emergency operations, so your work directly affects public safety and service reliability. How you will make an impact In this role, you will continuously modernize legacy systems, often mix decades‑old equipment with new reliability without disrupting service. You'll manage a technically diverse team towards achieving high standard quality services. The Telecommunications Manager is responsible for the successful development and support of VELCO’s telecommunications services by aligning telecom strategy with those of OT, IT, and the corporate environment and with industry trends and evolving technologies. The Telecom Manager manages and oversees the daily operation of the Telecommunications team (engineers, technicians, vendors) and is accountable for simultaneously managing multiple projects – often involving cross-functional project teams - and their respective budgets. This includes overall planning, organizing and execution of departmental functions, supporting and maintaining existing applications as well as the development of new or enhanced technical solutions, and for all activities concerned with planning, selection, acquisition, design, installation, performance and maintenance of highly reliable telecom services that support SCADA, protection, control, and field operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, information technology, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in telecommunications engineering or operations, including experience with fiber, microwave, radio, and IP networking; utility or other critical‑infrastructure experience strongly preferred
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing technical teams and vendors in a 24x7 operations environment.
• Knowledge of Telecommunications technologies, software, and hardware, including but not limited to enterprise data and voice systems, SONET, DWDM, Carrier Ethernet, fiber optic and microwave networks, and trunked two-way radio systems.
• Experience in managing telecommunications systems supporting mission critical infrastructure, preferably in utility or industrial controls spaces.
• Proven record in strong leadership, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills in addition to personnel management.
• Proven record in establishing, monitoring and maintaining Key Performance Indicators for physical systems and overall team management.
• Ability to deliver complex and technical information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated technical operational technology and telecommunications skills along with analytical and problem-solving abilities with high attention to detail are also required.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills at all levels and operating areas.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to maintain a high level of trust and confidence in OT’s services from the Operational Technology and Telecommunications team as well as internal and external customers.
• Solid project management, strong analytical and critical thinking as well as creative problem-solving skills.
• Experience in performing event reviews and data-centric analytics, including Root Cause Assessments (RCAs).
• Must be able to perform typical administrative functions which may involve long periods of keyboarding and periodically of scanning, filing, copying, etc.
• Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex work, in potentially emotionally- fraught situations, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to work additional hours when necessary.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Valid driver’s license required, and periodic in-state travel required.

Responsibilities

• Functional Management Manage Telecommunications staff and contractors to ensure the successful performance of work in accordance with project plans, permits, and company requirements.
• Own the design and operate Telecom with utility grade reliability and redundancy (path diversity, failover, environmental hardening) for real time OT applications (protection and control, SCADA, substation automation, and field communications, including coordination with system operations and engineering).
• Develop strong peer relationships with leaders in the Telecommunications/OT environment and throughout the company to ensure consistent alignment with business expectations and commitments.
• Work with service providers to ensure that the environment is stable, has high availability and that robust recovery plans for critical systems are in place.
• Develop customer services, RF radio services, and maintenance programs to include predictive asset management strategies including the proper data analytics tools.
• Develop Carrier interconnections and advance external business opportunities through forecasting future technology requirements based on analyses of trends and business requirements.
• Develop a technical vision that supports VELCO’s corporate vision with its fiber optic network expansion and statewide radio system.
• Perform cost/benefit analyses of potential technology solutions.
• Develop and maintain budgets and schedules for department.
• Accurately perform budgeting and forecasting for department accounts and projects as scheduled.
• Oversee daily operations: monitoring, incident response, troubleshooting, outage management, and change management for telecom services.
• Own telecom standards, documentation, and policies (architecture, configurations, diagrams, procedures, as built records).
• Ensure staff are informed and follow all pertinent regulatory requirements for NERC CIP.
• Manage relationships with contractors and vendors to ensure that the services provided are high quality and cost effective.
• Manage relationships with other technological functions including Cyber Security, Technical Services, and applications teams.
• Establish, monitor and maintain systems and teams KPI to track performance metrics (availability, latency, incident trends) and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide business and technical consultation to management, users and staff.
• Successfully complete projects by using efficient project management techniques while coordinating resources and timetables with other VELCO departments.
• Interact frequently with a wide variety of internal and external customers, vendors, leadership and other stakeholders and provide direct support to the Telecom team.
• Purchase equipment and supplies in accordance with the company’s Procurement policy.
• Staff Management Actively lead, mentor, and coach Telecom team members while fostering a positive environment with a focus on delivering quality work.
• Plan, evaluate, and improve the efficiency of the department management processes and procedures to enhance safety, speed, quality, efficiency, and output.
• Develop work, development plans and schedules to effectively manage the Telecom team.
• Lead knowledge sharing and training for the team; including personnel development and technical training in support of VELCO’s succession management expectations.
• Develop annual budgets and monitor expense and capital expenditures (including staffing requirements).
• Lead employees to meet VELCO’s expectations for productivity, quality, safety and continuous improvement, while operating in accordance with corporate and departmental policies and procedures.
• Actively support the company’s strategic initiatives in support of the company’s mission, vision, and values.
• Establish and maintain relevant controls and feedback systems to effectively monitor operations.
• Maintain understanding of personnel-related laws and regulations and internal policies and procedures sufficient to compliantly manage assigned workers.
• Maintain employee work schedules, including assignments, vacations and sick time, and managing overtime scheduling and authorization.
• Ensure timecards are completed accurately, in a timely manner and in compliance with internal rules and wage and hourly laws.
• As vacancies occur work with leadership and Human Resources to recruit, interview, select, hire, and onboard new employees.
• Oversee daily operations: monitoring, incident response, troubleshooting, outage management, and change management for telecom services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package, which may also include comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off and incentive compensation (bonus) potential.
• At VELCO we care about our team members. Our benefits support the holistic well-being of our team members and their families — from financial security to mental and physical health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level