Associate Substation Engineer Entry/Journey

Purpose

Under general supervision, designs standard and non-standard transmission and distribution substations, lines, and facilities in compliance with relevant SMUD, local, state, and federal safety and engineering codes, laws, and regulations.

Nature and Scope

This classification is comprised of two levels: Level E is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level J upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in ensuring that electrical transmission and distribution facilities are adequately designed to meet SMUD power requirements as well as local, state, and federal safety and engineering codes, laws, and regulations; contributes to the development and construction of utility power system projects by preparing designs of electrical facilities such as distribution sub-stations, distribution lines, and standard and non-standard service facilities; prepares rough design drawings and diagrams; oversees the preparation of finished drawings; reviews final drawings for accuracy and conformance with design requirements; prepares draft technical specifications for equipment purchases and electrical systems; collects, computes, and compiles engineering data/statistics for equipment power requirements, electrical load surveys, and similar data and interprets and makes recommendations based on data collected.
• Ensures the performance and progress of assigned projects and the proper and efficient use of SMUD resources; develops plans that define project scope, budget, schedule, and resources; manages project design and construction including budget management, scheduling, coordination of engineering work, resources and materials, and reporting and resolution of issues; writes procedures and provides field engineering support to SMUD technicians during construction and startup of facilities; resolves conflicts with external agencies, customers and/or contract staffs, and between internal groups.
• Ensures the selection and performance of contractors in accordance with project needs, requirements, and contract agreements; reviews requests for contract services; writes specifications for contract bid requests; evaluates bids; manages contract services for assigned projects; processes contractors material submittals and drawings; inspects and reports on contractors construction procedures; performs final inspection of completed construction.
• Ensures that materials and equipment utilized in the construction and maintenance of SMUD power distribution and transmission facilities meet established standards, specifications, and quality requirements; performs source inspections of manufacturing facilities for pre-qualification and during production; prepares receipt inspection procedures; conducts receiving inspection on critical items; works with the test laboratory to conduct electrical and mechanical tests on new materials to determine suitability for intended use and compliance with specifications.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains working relationships with other departments and work groups that interface with assigned projects; develops and maintains clear and open channels of communication; obtains and dispenses information necessary to projects; confers on situations and problems of mutual concern.
• Contributes to the development and appearance of SMUD property exteriors by developing landscaping and irrigation design and specifications with emphasis on the selection of materials for quality, low maintenance, hardiness, size, and compliance with environmental requirements.
• Under the close guidance of Senior and/or Principal level Distribution Design Engineers, increases technical knowledge and expertise by learning and performing the following functions/duties: develops distribution line design and construction standards; evaluates new distribution line materials and equipment; coordinates trial material and equipment installations and performs comprehensive review of application, construction issues, test results, and performance; initiates stock material specifications for new material purchases, modifications, or deletion of obsolete equipment to maintain supply of safe, high quality equipment to build SMUD distribution overhead and underground lines and facilities; inspects manufacturers plant facilities to evaluate their production procedures and capabilities; determines quality control measures and test material methods to improve uninterrupted flow, quality, and cost reduction of SMUD stock distribution materials; analyzes failed distribution equipment/materials and recommends corrective actions; designs transmission sub-stations.
• Performs a variety of duties to support the overall achievement and completion of department project; assists in planning, reviewing, and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Performs related duties as required.

A copy of the full job description can be accessed here:and

Required Experience

Entry level

One (1+) or more years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the planning, design, and operation of electric utility distribution systems.

Journey level

Three (3+) or more years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, and operation of electric utility distribution systems.

Required Education

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer (PE) with the State of California may be substituted for the degree requirement. Valid California Drivers License.

Knowledge Of

Principles, procedures, and practices related to distribution system design, construction, operation, and protection; principles, procedures, and practices related to electrical power engineering including circuit analysis, electrical equipment design, short circuit calculations, grounding, and protective relaying; principles, procedures, and practices related to manufacturing processes of electrical equipment and components including welding, rubber/fiberglass/plastic extruding, metal fabrication, and assembly; applicable industry standards such as ANSI, IEEE, NEMA, ICEA, ASTM, ISO 9000, ISO 9001 and ISO 9002; federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing manufacturing and safety; SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs, and other special agreements; principles, procedures, and practices related to basic civil engineering design requirements utilized in the design of distribution lines and distribution/transmission sub-stations; principles, procedures, and practices related to power system analysis; principles, procedures, and practices related to engineering economic analysis; methods and techniques for planning, organizing, and overseeing work activities; techniques and concepts related to teamwork; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques; concepts for cost control and project scheduling; performance management techniques related to project management; principles and practices for contract management; procedures and practices for cost control and project scheduling; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; techniques and practices for problem research and resolution; procedures and practices for overseeing contractor/consultant work activities; procedures and practices for project budget management; safety policies, practices, and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Analyze and resolve problems by research and investigation, determining relationships and interaction between elements, creating and implementing detailed solutions including process changes; interact with others to influence and motivate; interpret SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs, and/or other special agreements; oversee adherence to safety policies and procedures; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; explain policies, regulations, procedures, and/or activities internally/externally; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely to individual or groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information; develop and maintain project budget and schedule; plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects; analyze situations, documents, and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations; appraise situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action; interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements; interpret, clarify, understand, and analyze verbal/written information and ideas; organize highly complex and conflicting data in a readily understandable manner for various audiences; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

Journey level

• Five years of design experience related to high-voltage (115 kV and above) substations.
• Contract procurement and management skills
• Experience leading project teams

Physical Requirements