The City of Bay City seeks a progressive leader to serve as Director of its Electric Utility.  Annual salary range $75,000 - $90,000.

Bay City Electric, Light & Power (BCELP) is a municipal utility, owned by the City of Bay City, Michigan.   It has served the Bay City area since 1868 when it was known as the Bay City Gas Light Company.  Today it serves over 20,000 customers in Bay City and the surrounding townships of Bangor, Frankenlust, Hampton, Monitor, and Portsmouth.  The utility is one of 2,000 community owned electric utilities that serves more than 42 million Americans.

The utility maintains more than 500 miles of overhead and underground distribution lines, fed from 10 distribution substations.  Day to day operations  include line construction and maintenance, line clearance, street light maintenance, generating plant operation and maintenance, metering installation and maintenance, service building upkeep, purchasing materials and supplies, and system planning functions.

The successful candidate will have extensive and progressively responsible experience in electric utilities management and must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field and also possess the following experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

Ten years relevant experience in increasingly responsible engineering or management positions, in the electric utility industry, at least two years in a direct supervisory or managerial position. 

The ability to lead and motivate the utility work force.  Responsible for the general direction and supervision of plans for the future development of the electrical facilities and resources.

Provide general direction for all work related to the design, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operation of the Electric Utility’s facilities, and for the design of electric rates, structure, and analysis.

Maintain current knowledge of important developments in local area, State and Federal Government agencies as they relate to the City’s electric utility.  Meet with large industrial and commercial customers and the public in general, as necessary, to represent the Electric Utility’s activities.

Possess understanding of the electric utility “purchase power” market.  Since 2007, the Bay City Electric Department has managed its own purchase power portfolio with the assistance of the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA).  Bay City is one of 14 municipalities that participate in the MPPA which provides economic benefits to participating members and is involved in joint ownership of electrical generating plants and transmission facilities, as well as the pooling of utility resources.

Working knowledge of electric utility equipment application; system operation; engineering design and standards; resource planning; personnel supervision; management/union relations and contract negotiation; financial planning and budget preparation; and administration of the Department’s financing and budget. Knowledge of the potential benefits and costs of alternative energy sources.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the activities of an electric utility engaged in the transmission and distribution of electrical power. Strong verbal and written skills.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other government officials, employees and customers. Possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Please send cover letter and resume to: Christopher W. Lewis, Director of Human Resources,

301 Washington, Suite 305, Bay City, Michigan 48708. You can also send via email, to CLewis@baycitymi.org