General Manager- Lakeland Electric

General Manager- Lakeland Electric

Salary

$208,937.66 - $355,194.23 Annually

Location

Lakeland Electric Administration Building

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

1038-26

Department

Lakeland Electric

Division

GM-Administration 2091100000

Opening Date

08/11/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description
• Benefits

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is highly responsible executive leadership work, directing the operations of a municipal electric utility. Work involves broad strategic, operational, financial, and technical responsibilities. The General Manager serves as the chief executive of the municipal electric utility, operating under authority delegated by the City Manager. The position is accountable for ensuring reliable, cost-effective utility services; maintaining regulatory compliance; achieving long-term financial sustainability; and advancing strategic initiatives to meet current and future customer needs. Performance is evaluated based on operational effectiveness, fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and achievement of strategic objectives. The City Manager reviews the employees performance to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of departmental operations in conformance with established goals and policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs all activities of the utility system, including customer service, power generation, transmission, distribution, and infrastructure maintenance.
• Develops and implements long-range strategic plans to ensure system reliability, resiliency, and capacity to meet customer demand.
• Establishes performance metrics and ensures continuous improvement in operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Oversees emergency preparedness, system restoration, and crisis management activities.
• Develops, administers, and monitors the annual operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Ensures sound financial management practices, including revenue forecasting, expenditure control, and asset management.
• Reviews and oversees rate studies and recommends rate adjustments to ensure fiscal stability and competitiveness.
• Manages debt issuance, financial planning, and long-term capital investment strategies.
• Serves as the primary liaison between utility operations and the City Manager, Utility Committee, and City Commission.
• Prepares and delivers reports, presentations, and recommendations to governing bodies, the Utility Committee, and the City Manager.
• Represents the utility before regulatory agencies, community groups, industry organizations, and stakeholders.
• Maintains strong public trust through transparent communication and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Provides executive leadership and direct supervision to senior management and departmental leadership.
• Promotes a high-performance culture emphasizing accountability, professional development, and succession planning.
• Ensures a safe and inclusive work environment consistent with City policies and industry standards.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including but not limited to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and environmental requirements.
• Oversees audits, inspections, and compliance reporting requirements.
• Negotiates power purchase and sales agreements, fuel contracts, and major vendor relationships.
• Manages relationships with engineering firms, consultants, regional utilities, and energy market participants.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures to ensure efficient and compliant operations.
• Establishes departmental goals, objectives, and performance standards.
• Ensures alignment with City policies and strategic priorities.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, or Engineering, supplemented by specialized training in electric utility operations and administration.
• Demonstrated experience in utility operations, strategic planning, finance, and organizational leadership.
• Six years of experience in the management of an electric utility.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Experience working with governing boards or electric utilities preferred.
• Completion of Certified Public Manager (CPM) or completion within three years.
• Rrequired to file a financial disclosure statement with the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 112, Part III. This filing must be completed within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter, no later than July 1 of each year in which the individual serves in this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Electric utility operations, including generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Utility finance, rate structures, and capital planning.
• Federal and state laws and regulations governing utilities.
• Energy markets, regulatory frameworks, and emerging industry trends.
• Public administration and organizational leadership principles.

ABILITIES:

• Lead a large, complex organization.
• Develop and manage large-scale budgets and capital programs.
• Communicate effectively with elected officials, staff, regulators, and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Make sound decisions under pressure, including during emergency situations.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work, with occasional walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and performing routine keyboard operations.
• Requires site visits to utility facilities with exposure to operational environments.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

This recruitment is being handled by an external recruiter.

TO APPLY:

Dipika Patel

THE ENERGISTS

e-mail: dipika@energists.com

Electronic submissions are required.

Phone (346) 446-5212

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

Employer City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address 500 N Lake Parker Avenue

Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone (863)834-8790

Website http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices