Operation Program Specialist

Operations Program Specialist 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Operations Program Manager to join our dynamic Line Operations team. This role involves analyzing and enhancing business operations, developing sustainable and quantifiable business processes, and managing various operational programs. The ideal candidate will possess specialized expertise, solve complex problems, and identify innovative solutions while working independently with minimal guidance. 

Job Function 

Provides Process Improvement, program management, Analyzes and measures the effectiveness of existing business processes and develops sustainable, repeatable and quantifiable business process improvements for Line Operations. 

 
Key Job Information 

• Requires in-depth knowledge and experience.  

• Uses best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services. 

• Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions 

• Works independently; receives minimal guidance 

• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience 

 
Key Responsibilities 

• Analysis Analyzes and integrates operational performance information from multiple sources and identifies potential program development and process improvement opportunities. Develops analytics and metrics to present to departmental leadership in support program/process efforts. Monitors departmental performance goals and metrics and identifies areas at risk. 

• Planning and Analysis Analyzes business needs and identifies potential cross-functional process improvement initiatives and program management opportunities. Scopes potential initiatives to forecast the anticipated benefits and resource needs of each. Prioritizes needs. Develops departmental continuous improvement plan and collaborates with other departments to determine resource constraints and points of overlap. Negotiates for resources. Maintains repository and roadmap of program, process, department projects, and continuous improvement activities. Decides which stakeholders to engage and how. 

• Process/Continuous Improvement Works with management to plan and implement program and process improvement, as well as departmental projects. Ensures alignment to business unit objectives. Develops program plans, project plans, process plans, success metrics, and acceptance criteria. May assign work to others and monitor for completion. Monitors and ensures that project meets acceptance criteria. Identifies risks, issues and roadblocks and notifies project sponsors. Recommends mitigation strategies. Facilitates process improvement work sessions with operational teams and business process owners. Establishes clear roles and responsibilities. 

• Consultation Researches operational best practices and makes recommendations. Develops and communicates project plans, reports, and status updates. Manages organizational change efforts. Serves as a subject matter expert in process improvement to employees and supervisors.  

Education/Experience/Certifications  

• Education Typically a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, finance or other related field or equivalent experience. 

• Experience Typically five or more years in process improvement, project management or related field. 

• Certifications, Licenses and Training Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred. Six Sigma certification preferred. 

 
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) 

Functional Competencies  

• Intermediate knowledge of project management methods and principles. 

• Intermediate knowledge of PGE’s policies, procedures, tariffs and regulations. 

• Intermediate knowledge of industry best practices related to area of discipline. 

• Intermediate skills in project management. 

• Intermediate skills in influencing without authority. 

• Intermediate skills in facilitation and presentations. 

• Intermediate skills in systems and programs used in functional area, including data retrieval. 

General Competencies 

• Advanced customer focus skills. 

• Intermediate safety leadership skills. 

• Intermediate skills in analytical thinking. 

• Advanced skills in problem solving. 

• Advanced oral and written communication skills. 

• Advanced interpersonal skills. 

• Intermediate decision-making skills. 

• Advanced organization and prioritization skills. 

• Intermediate knowledge of business process interrelationships. 

• Advanced business acumen. 

• Advanced skills in change leadership. 

• Intermediate risk management skills. 

 
Physical and Cognitive Demands  

Cognitive Level 

Intermediate: Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists. 

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks. 

• Ability to follow accuracy standards. 

• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks. 

• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment. 

• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress. 

• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change. 

• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback. 

• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement. 

• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks. 

• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization. 

• Demonstrates sound memory. 

• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks. 

 
Schedule/Attendance  

• Ability to work long hours. 

• Ability to work a variable schedule. 

• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather. 

• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance. 

Physical Capabilities 

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory  

• Frequently (at least once a week or more) 

• Occasionally (one to two times a month or less) 

• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory  

• Occasionally (one to two times a month or less) 

• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift) 

• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lbs. 

• Carrying: Up to 10 lbs. 

Environment - Indoor/Outdoor  

• Office 

• Plant 

• Field 

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