ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER
Campaign Opens: May 7, 2013
Campaign Closes: May 20, 2013
Salary Range: $$76,368 to $95,400
I. JOB DESCRIPTION:
The position of Electrical Distribution Engineer reports to the Supervisor, Planning Engineering and works with design, engineering, operations and other departments as directed. The Electrical Distribution Engineer is primarily responsible for preparing and maintaining Trico’s standards and specifications in compliance with codes and regulations, policies, and tariffs; performing detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications; and providing analysis and design support for planning and construction of electrical facilities as required and directed by the Supervisor, Planning Engineering. The Cooperative supports a positive work environment that emphasizes the Company’s current mission statement and core values.
II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Electrical Distribution Engineer is responsible for the following functions, including but not limited to:
1. Maintains Trico’s standards and specifications, and has an understanding of the codes and regulations and cooperative rules, regulations, policies, and tariffs. Directs and coordinates planning, construction, installation, maintenance, support documentation, and testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and customer requirements. Performs detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications.
2. Approves the work of others by inspecting completed work orders and verifying that construction was compliant with rules, standards and specifications as required and directed by the Supervisor, Planning Engineering.
3. Prepares specifications for purchase of materials and equipment, supervise/train project team members as necessary and investigate and test vendors' and competitors' products.
4. Supports and trains distribution designers in the analysis and design of the overhead and underground distribution lines in compliance with regulations and standards, including but not limited to RUS, NESC, and NEC.
5. Performs alternative designs and evaluates construction materials and equipment used for projects. Analyzes various design and application problems, and prepares studies to obtain solutions. Assists in the development and evaluation of project distribution routes and site alternatives.
6. Develops and prepares structural/electrical drawings for final drafting by design section when required, as well as, design specifications for equipment/material purchases and construction.
7. Supports long range system plans, construction work plans, and annual budget/work plans as needed in compliance with rules, regulatory requirements and polices, in collaboration with the Supervisor, Planning Engineering and Trico committees. Models Trico’s electric system using Milsoft’s Windmil to prepare studies requested.
8. Serves on and/or chairs Trico committees as directed by the Supervisor, Planning Engineering.
9. Work as needed with dispatch, operations and equipment techs during outages and for planned switching etc., utilizing engineering background and software such as ArcGis mapping, iVUE and Milsoft.
10. Evaluate, prioritize and budget for capital needs, expenses and the manpower to stay abreast of the programs; conducts studies and evaluations for power line upgrades to mitigate, solve and track problems and complaints about power quality, power supply and power reliability issues; schedules employees; models planned electric systems as needed to help analyze for planning and switching; prepares outage, sectionalizing and planning maps and reports; and performs any other duties necessary to provide Trico’s employees with an up-to-date model of its electric plant, equipment, and services.
11. Works with outside and inside crews to gather accurate information on the existing electric system and all new line extensions and work plan projects; uses staking sheets, specifications, subdivision designs, cost estimates and contracts to produce accurate designs; and works with the various Trico committees to budget and plan for construction and long range plans for review and approval by the Supervisor, Planning Engineering.
12. Ensures the safety of employees working in the field on electrical system projects by researching the Material Safety Data sheets for any chemicals they may be using. This individual must have training and maintain certification as an OSHA defined “Qualified Employee” meaning the Employee must have:
a. the ability to distinguish live parts;
b. the ability to determine voltage of parts;
c. the knowledge of minimum approach distances; and
d. the ability to use protective equipment.
III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
The position of Electrical Distribution Engineer must have the following minimum qualifications:
1. A four (4) year Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or equivalent. Prefer Arizona registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Electric Power or have the ability to gain a PE within one year of starting work.
2. 5 years’ experience with a broad exposure to electric power distribution engineering regulations and standards (e.g. NEC, NESC, NFPA, IEEE, OSHA, RUS), planning studies, report writing, distribution system overhead and underground design, transmission design, and engineering computer applications.
3. A working understanding of standards and construction practices for inspection of projects/work orders and developing cooperative standards.
4. Ability to work with department managers and supervisors, engineering consultants, as well as equipment techs, meter techs, linemen, designers and able to motivate and accomplish required work through other people.
5. A working understanding of sectionalizing issues for the purpose of solving sectionalizing and coordinating with the sectionalizing engineer.
6. Excellent mathematical skills to be able to perform high-level engineering calculations and analysis to design distribution and transmission projects including, conductor sag and tension calculations, conductor and conduit size calculations, regression analysis of data and other standard electrical analysis.
7. Excellent language, critical thinking and communication skills to analyze, interpret written journals, technical procedures, and regulations for the purpose of writing reports, procedure manuals, etc. and making effective presentations to all levels of employees, managers, members and the general public.
8. Ability to work irregular hours as required in the performance of the responsibilities of this position. Out-of-town travel will be required from time-to-time for meetings, workshops and seminars specific to the position.
9. A positive and proactive attitude.
IV. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work is primarily performed 70% indoors and approximately 30% outdoors. When working outdoors, the environment may be dusty and dirty around construction sites.
The job requires the ability to bend, squat, crouch, kneel, push/pull, reach above shoulder level, and twist about 10% of the time; 20% walking; 40% standing; and 50% sitting.
The individual must be able to reach overhead, wear protective equipment, climb ladders, lift in awkward positions, and work in confined spaces. Occasionally the position requires lifting and carrying up to 35 pounds from a floor to waist to overhead level, and occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds from the floor or waist level overhead. The position requires extensive fine finger dexterity, including simple and firm grasping, fine manipulation and repetitive movements using both hands.
If interested in this position, please send a letter of interest and resume to: Human Resources, Trico Electric Cooperative, P. O. Box 930, Marana, AZ 85653, FAX to (520) 547-4842, or email as soon as possible. Emails are preferred. All applications must be received by close of business day, Monday, May 20, 2013.
Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc.
is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
EOPE / M / F / V / H and a Drug Free Workplace