Director Network Engineering & Operations - Network Engineering & Operations - Akron West Akron Campus
FirstEnergy Corp

JOB DESCRIPTION

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers' lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00]

Provides strategic direction and leadership for FirstEnergy's Network Engineering & Operations department, including the following core managerial areas of responsibility:

Information Technology (IT) Networks: Core networks that are foundational for FE's enterprise communications - including Transport-WAN (Wide Area Network), Data Network-LAN (Local Area Networks), Voice & Video Operations, Fiber Networks, Data Center networks, and external communications to ISP and cloud providers. Responsible for FE's network routing & switching, wireless LAN (802.11x) networks, data center networks (Nexus, PODs, etc.), voice & video services (VoIP, PBX, voice mail, voice recorders, phones, IVR, video, and satellite), optical transport systems (DWDM, SONET, MPLS), wireless transport systems (microwave, two-way land mobile radio, cellular), and FE's 9,000+ mile fiber network. Responsible for frequency coordination services and maintaining FCC compliance for licensed spectrum.

Operational Technology (OT) Networks: Purpose-built networks for utility operations and those networks on the edge that provide communications for real-time monitoring & control, asset health monitoring, and other operational systems located in control centers, substations, and field area network environments. Responsibilities include the architecture, engineering, design, implementation, operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and ongoing reliability of real-time data networks for the Energy Management System (EMS), Distribution Management System (DMS), Generation Management System (GMS), Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA), Field Area Networks supporting line switching & advanced Smart Grid functions, and encryption technologies used to support those networks. Also accountable for engineering support for related DC power systems, generator backup power, coordination of construction & modification of FE communication towers, and drafting services for network systems.

IT System Operations: Key operational functions supporting IT and the larger FE enterprise, including the Systems & Network Operations Center (SNOC), Enterprise Systems Management (ESM), Print-Insert Operations, and Data Center Operations. Responsibilities include 24x7 monitoring of FE systems and networks, including applications, databases, servers, and voice & data networks, executing batch job scheduling functions, maintaining a centralized monitoring environment to provide proactive management and timely response to problems, accountability for CIP change control and configuration management compliance monitoring & reporting, and aligning FE's data center operations to industry best practices. Also responsible for printing over 55 million bills per year, as well as associated bill insert operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic direction and daily leadership for the Network Engineering & Operations department, which is primarily responsible for the platforms that deliver secure, reliable, and high-performance business and operational communications for the FE enterprise, monitoring and response to network & system events, data center operations, and printing of FE customer electric bills.
• Provides sponsorship and oversight of an $80M+ annual portfolio of communications projects funded by IT and FE Utilities (Tx and Dx). Functions in a key leadership role to secure funding, champion, and drive the $165M target annual transmission investments in Network & Security that cut across multiple peer departments. This is key investment vehicle enables the network communications investment strategy to improve the resiliency and capability of communications used for the monitoring, control, protection, operations, and maintenance of FirstEnergy's energy delivery operations.
• Delivers high-performance, high-availability network communications systems, with monitoring as appropriate to achieve service expectations, scalable to business needs, and with appropriate disaster recovery capabilities.
• Ensures the operational performance and maintenance of existing networks as well as design and delivery of new products/product enhancements.
• Maintains functional knowledge of technology, technology changes, and emerging business requirements.
• Leverages leadership and technical staff to develop and champion strategies that advance FE's processes and utilization of IT assets, in alignment with business needs.
• Champions compliance and maintains strong relationships across IT and Corporate compliance teams to ensure technical standards and regulatory requirements are defined, documented, implemented, and enforced in the network and system operations environments.
• Coordinates closely with IT peer groups to ensure that FE policies and sound security practices are followed.
• Coordinates with Operating Companies, FEU/FET support groups, and external entities to accomplish objectives.
• Ensures the departmental capital & operating budgets are managed to the approved plan.
• Ensures that departmental projects maintain scope, schedule, and budget.
• Directs personnel actions in accordance with the company's guidelines and procedures. Appraises performance and provides rewards & recognition to foster high-performing and cohesive teams. Clearly communicates priorities & expectations to the staff. Mentors & coaches' staff on work related issues.
• Ensures that change management procedures are properly followed.
• Champions FE's Core Values & Behaviors, through coaching and by personal example.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or related field, with at least 12 years of related experience. In lieu of a degree, 15 years of related experience required. Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree preferred.
• Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
  • Experience in an Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or Network Engineering field.
  • Knowledge of WAN, LAN, fiber, and voice & video systems.
  • Knowledge of real-time systems and networks (EMS, GMS), field area networks, and SCADA communications.
  • Knowledge of environmental support systems for these various technology platforms (e.g., HVAC, AC/DC power systems, batteries, generators, etc.).
  • Knowledge of operations management and monitoring tools.
• Role model of FirstEnergy's core values and behaviors; unwavering integrity and trustworthiness
• Experience developing or working with diverse teams and building an inclusive work environment
• Strong interpersonal, communications, presentation, training, and mentoring skills.
• Knowledge of building business cases for projects and project management (from conception to execution).
• Knowledge of project management concepts and tools.
• Knowledge of IT technologies, systems, and processes.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements impacting systems and networks.
• Familiarity with FE business units, to enable effective prioritization of work based on business need.
• Work experience within electric utility operations is preferred.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

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