| Purpose: |
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This position leads technicians performing installation, testing, maintenance and repair activities for protective relay systems and associated communication, measurement, and control equipment required for the safe and reliable operation of Austin Energy’s (AE) Electric System. |
| Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: |
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Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Leads the installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance and repair, troubleshooting, operation, trip and function checks, point-to-point checks, in-service checks, circuit analysis, and protective relay logic verification of protective relaying equipment and schemes, substation equipment, metering, remote control, and data acquisition systems in electrical substations, with voltages up to 345 kilovolts (kV).
- Responds to on-call, emergency call-back, and after-hour outages due to weather-related events, system disturbances, equipment malfunction, and/or damage; and leads emergency electric system restoration as necessary.
- Works with electrical engineers to identify, troubleshoot, resolve issues, and make design changes. Answers customer questions and assists as needed.
- Maintains documentation on systems for International Standards Organization (ISO), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and North America Electric Reliability Council (NERC) compliance and maintains assigned vehicle, tools, stock, and parts inventories.
- Makes recommendations on commissioning, testing, and maintenance procedures to accommodate new and existing protective relaying schemes.
- Assists with field technical training and field performance evaluation of Relay Technicians.
- Interfaces with City departmental and intergovernmental entities and reviews work completed by private contractors to ensure that AE's standards are met.
- Orders, stores, receives, issues, and distributes equipment, parts, tools, and supplies that are essential to the construction, maintenance, and repair of AE’s electrical substations and related equipment.
- Reviews construction, maintenance, and repair work on AE’s protective relays and related equipment, for accuracy, craftsmanship, and thoroughness.
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| Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: |
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May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
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| Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: |
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Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge AE safety rules, regulations, work practices, standards, and procedures associated with electrical substations and protective relaying systems.
- Knowledge of safety rules, procedures, and hazards involved with working on and around energized electrical systems (lines and equipment/high and low voltage).
- Knowledge of utility communication, relaying, monitoring, and control systems.
- Knowledge of leadership and training techniques.
- Skill in data analysis and using mathematics, problem solving, and electrical power systems theory to solve protective relaying system problems or issues.
- Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
- Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks.
- Skill in operating computers and related software applications.
- Skill in properly using, inspecting, maintaining, and safely storing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Skill in operating switching devices and equipment used to de-energize and isolate circuits and devices on AE's electrical transmission, substation, and distribution system.
- Skill in inspecting and safely operating hand and powered tools, equipment, apparatus, and instruments used in the installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of protective relaying schemes, electrical substations, and related equipment.
- Skill in reading and understanding, oral, written, and electronic instructions, technical manuals, profile plans, blueprints, sketches, diagrams, and drawings.
- Skill in drawing, sketching, or modifying diagrams, profile plans, drawings, and control circuit schematics to perform collaborative problem solving, communicate with relay technicians, engineers, and management, for making field corrections or as-builts on engineering drawings, and communicate work assignments.
- Skill in leading, planning, and organizing work assignments and monitoring relay construction and maintenance programs.
- Skill in wiring and troubleshooting of AC and DC control circuits associated with high-voltage utility protection schemes; electro-mechanical, electronic, and digital relays and devices; and associated equipment.
- Ability to climb ladders and work on and around elevated work positions/platforms and bucket trucks.
- Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards in the COA Driver Safety Program.
- Ability to work flexible hours, weekends, holidays, and night work as needed.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and professional working relationships with City employees, customers, and the public.
- Ability to drive, inspect, and maintain various electric utility vehicles.
- Ability to perform strenuous work in all types of weather conditions.
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions, changes in priorities, and rotating shifts.
- Ability to properly lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
- Ability to visually discern between different colors (i.e. red from green or blue from yellow, full color vision).
- Ability to safely work in and around electrical substations, and other work areas and equipment where high voltage, up to 345 kilovolts (kV), may be present.
- Ability to conduct on-the-job-training for peers and Relay Technicians.
- Ability to diagnosis relay event data when responding to system trouble.
- Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
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| Minimum Qualifications: |
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- Graduation with an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, Avionics, or electronics/electrical-related field, plus five (5) years of experience in relay-protection of transmission and/or distribution systems in an electric utility field .
- Electric utility experience in relay-protection, substation, distribution, transmission, generation, etc. or successful completion of a formal relay-protection training program may substitute for education up to two (2) years.
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| Licenses and Certifications Required: |
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- Valid Texas Class C driver license or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of employment.
- Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record.
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