Damage Prevention and Claims Program Manager

About Ameren Missouri

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for our 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities including the greater St. Louis area.

Our benefits include:

• Medical coverage on date of hire

• 100% employer paid cash balance pension plan

• 401(k) with company match fully vested on date of hire

• Minimum of 15 days paid vacation and 12 paid holidays

• Paid parental leave and family caregiver leave

Visit our Benefits & Perks Page for more information on benefits provided to regular full-time employees. ​

About The Position

The Damage Prevention and Claims Program Manager will be part of Ameren Missouri’s Damage Prevention and Damage Claims Oversight Group.  This position is responsible for oversight of the Damage Claims process including appropriate recovery mechanisms as well as supporting the Group's administrative tools for ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations as an underground utility owner, and contract administration of Ameren Missouri locate vendors.  This role also serves as a subject matter expert on Missouri’s 811 and other excavation regulations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Oversight of the overall Damage Claims process
• Serve as subject matter expert when internal work order management, billing systems, or other internal processes that impact damage claims billing and recovery change
• Administer Facilities Damage Claims Lists and associated SharePoint site, as well as supporting associated apps and PowerBI dashboards
• Ensure integrity of data used for State and Federal Reporting requirements and underground damage dashboard by performing reviews and audits of the Facilities Damage List and providing feedback to coworkers necessary to close gaps and improve quality of data
• Communicate key performance metrics to internal stakeholders, identifying gaps and opportunities
• Serve as liaison between Credit and Collections department and division personnel to address billing questions and disputes, and provide information for PSC complaints
• Serve as liaison to Ameren's third-party claims administrator to review excavation damages alleged by Ameren crews and ensure appropriate root cause analysis and follow up are performed to either dispute the bill or provide feedback to construction supervision to avoid future damages
• Negotiate settlements needing management approval working with Manager and division leadership on large dollar amount reductions and write-offs
• Lead the pursuit of difficult-to-recover damages by alerting Credit and Collections to escalate internal collection efforts on high-risk excavators and large losses, leveraging internal relationships to recover from alliance contractors and utility owners, and pursuing legal actions when necessary.
• Collect, review and package all documentation needed by internal and outside counsel to pursue legal action, working with division personnel to establish alignment and secure necessary representation in legal recovery efforts. 
• Provide administrative reports and participate in locator performance meetings and communication with locate contractors to address performance concerns, resolve issues, and pursue improvement opportunities
• Ensure appropriate penalties are assessed locate vendors, track damage ratios and root causes ensuring contract adherence
• Monitor and administer purchase orders and payments working with financial support coworkers to ensure appropriate forecasting
• Participate and support locate billing audits.
• Act as system administrator to manage the use of the Ameren ticket management system
• Provide support and training to Ameren coworkers in Damage Prevention workgroups and coworkers engaged in the Damage Claims process
• Serve as Administrator of Ameren Missouri membership in MO811 including map updates, billing, and management of District Codes
• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Missouri 811 regulations, Missouri Common Ground Alliance Best Practices, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and the Missouri Attorney General applicable to an underground utility owner
• Serve in capacity of Damage Prevention Specialist as needed

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.  Five or more years of relevant experience (e.g., damage prevention, property casualty claims adjusting, damage claims settlement negotiations, field operations support, etc.) required. May consider an associate's degree with seven years of experience or nine years of relevant experience in lieu of degree.   

In addition to the above qualifications, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

Proficiency with oral and written communications skills required. Proficiency with PC applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite of systems required. Working knowledge of Ameren systems including OAS and Maximo required. Proven ability to quickly establish credibility with internal and external stakeholders through individual contact required. This position is subject to call-out outside of normal business hours including emergency callouts for storm response and third-party damages.

Compensation Range:

At Ameren, base salary is one component of a competitive compensation package for employees. Our pay ranges are broad to allow for movement within our organization and to accommodate different skill sets and levels of expertise. We take into consideration a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skills, abilities, experience, education, credentials, and internal equity when determining the base salary offered. Roles are eligible for additional rewards including annual incentive payments based on individual and company performance.

If end date is listed, the posting will come down at 12:00 am on that date:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, military service or status, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other class, trait, or status protected by law.