Dir, Telecommunications Services Jobs

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

The Director, Telecommunications Services is responsible for planning, design, and implementation of Dairyland’s telecommunications systems.

Direct the Telecommunications Services group in promoting a team-oriented environment, including Telecommunications management, in order to research, design, implement, and administer solutions.

Work with business partners, stakeholders, and Information Services to ensure that telecommunications solutions meet company needs.

Lead, plan and oversee the development and execution of Dairyland’s fiber sales and utilization strategy and business functions. Determines objectives and establish operating processes and procedures to create and maintain financial soundness and profitability while ensuring optimum service to customers. Coordinate the acquisition of new accounts and maintenance of customer relationships while developing and providing solutions that satisfy customer requirements.

Create functional strategies and specific objectives for telecommunications, ensures timely execution of projects, safety, and develops budgets and procedures to support the functional infrastructure.

**ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS**

Documentation, Design and Budgets:

• Administer telecom budget for capital, operations and maintenance within the Dairyland budget processes.
• Ensure regulatory compliance requirements are met and documented.
• Maintain Telecommunications infrastructure and configuration data as required.
• Lead a team-focused environment to design and develop telecommunications systems for Dairyland, its member cooperatives, municipals, and other systems.
• Create and direct strategic telecommunications projects, ensuring project management rigor, quality and delivery of services.

Analysis

• Develop and execute a plan to grow fiber business based on targeted sales and/or other measures.
• Fiber optic network design and capital investment plan.
• Lead analysis of business case proposals for key communications technologies to demonstrate ROI and cost-benefits.
• Evaluate new business and expansion opportunities
• Direct teams designing and implementing SCADA systems for Dairyland and member cooperatives.
• Manage customer development, proposals, pricing, negotiation, contracts, account expansion and customer service functions.
• Research new and emerging technologies that help achieve strategic goals
• And recommend new services to leadership.
• Lead analysis of various communications solutions to meet business requirements and communicate solutions to stakeholders and senior management.
• Lead teams performing radio frequency (RF) propagation, path profile, and interference analysis for Dairyland and member cooperative systems for RF system design.

Direct management responsible for Dairyland's Telecommunications Operations and Telecommunications SCADA initiatives, including coordinating priorities and activities.

Select, coach, develop, and evaluate staff.

Representation

• Represent Dairyland on Utilities Telecomm Council (UTC) and other technical committees as directed by supervisor.
• Establish and maintain relationships with new and existing customers through correspondence and face-to-face contact to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Involvement in industry research and development trade groups.
• Serve as representative on Dairyland and other cooperative committees concerning the development of telecommunications systems as directed by supervisor.
• Responsible for vendor bid evaluations, and for direction of management oversight of vendor work.
• Maintain excellent relationships with vendors, contractors, and members while carrying out the responsibilities of the position and network with other telecommunication providers to develop and cultivate working relationships to enhance services and access new markets.

Administration

• Research and support application for funding opportunities (grants, low interest loans, etc.) that allow Dairyland to meet or exceed member needs with the lowest possible cost.
• Perform capacity planning and budgeting as it relates to network infrastructure and assess network demand and design solutions for current and future network requirements.
• Ensure business operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Ensure skilled and efficient administration of telecommunications technologies used at Dairyland and for member cooperatives (telephony, cellular data and voice, microwave, fiber, mobile radio, leased circuits, FCC licensing).
• Support and keep abreast of bylaws, guidelines, policies/procedures and philosophies relative to the department.
• Support a strong safety culture and promote a safe work environment for employees in the department, including employees in the field and office.

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, electrical engineering, computing, or business-related discipline with at least 10 years’ experience in the design and installation of telecommunications systems required.

Master’s degree in business or related field preferred.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience Directing a Broadband Or Technology Related Business Preferred.

Demonstrated history of successfully delivering technology services and at least 7 years of management experience required.

• Skills** : Ability to lead others, passion for customer service, problem and conflict resolution.

Ability to create a business case based on sound financial and business justification and ensure execution of projects to defined plans (project management discipline).

Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, including communicating technical needs and concepts to executive staff.

Broad knowledge and expertise of telecommunications and fiber-optic technology. Understanding of general utility communication specifications, operations, installations, and general knowledge of all industry related equipment and procedures.

Computer literacy and experience.

Ability to differentiate colors.

• Licenses and Certifications** :

Valid driver’s license required.

• Environmental Demands** : Works indoors.
• Physical Demands** : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently works around computers, monitors, and electrical hazards.

Field visits and safety observations of telecommunications field crews.

• Other Job Characteristics** : Available for occasional after-hours call.

Extended hours and overnight travel are sometimes required.

Business partnership and customer service skills are required for working with DPC and cooperative personnel, manufacturers, instructors, salespeople, and other utility personnel.

Limited supervision. Must be both a team-oriented and an independent knowledge worker as required.

Variably paced work.

Some Benefits Of Working With Us Include

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible.

• New Flexible Work Program
• So much more!
• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Robust Wellness Program
• Life insurance

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace. Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.