Associate Distribution System Engineer Entry

Department: Distribution Planning

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US,

Category: Engineering/Technical

Minimum Pay Rate: $93,516.80

Maximum Pay Rate: $123,843.20

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 07/17/2024

Posting Type: Open

Note for Required Experience Qualifications:

In the resume, please describe how your combined coursework, projects, internships and work experience meet the minimum experience qualifications. Please include date ranges for all items that will be used to meet this requirement.

SMUD is currently looking to fill one regular, full-time position in Distribution Operations Engineering at the entry level. Under the supervision of the Supervising Principal Distribution Operations Engineer, this position will provide real-time engineering support for the safe and reliable operation of SMUD's distribution system. The ideal candidate will work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment where they will, under supervision, troubleshoot, test and maintain the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), the Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) and other operational tools.

SMUD's ideal candidate for this position is a forward-thinking individual who will learn how to assess the status of SMUD's distribution system and how to utilize advanced tools to help resolve adverse grid conditions to ensure that the system is operating in its optimal state. The selected candidate will provide engineering support for system outages or emergencies during normal and after hours (including on-call support). They will also perform detailed analysis of power quality data and recommend solutions to improve customer experience by resolving the customer's issues. The candidate will also review customer generation interconnection proposals to evaluate their operational impacts to the distribution system and evaluate system impacts from distributed energy resources like PV, energy storage, electric vehicles and demand response. The candidate will also support, configure and maintain real-time communication links to SMUD's Energy Management System (EMS) and maintain communication with Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). The candidate will also support commissioning of new substation, generation and distribution automation devices while ensuring stable communications with the Distribution Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (D-SCADA) system.

Purpose

Performs engineering analysis of SMUD distribution system including monitoring system and component operations, identifying deficiencies, aiding in the development and implementation of solutions, and justifying and prioritizing required work; provides technical support to engineering, design, construction, maintenance, operations and other stakeholder groups; and assists in developing short, medium and long range maintenance and capital investment plans and annual operational plans to ensure a safe, reliable, and efficient distribution system. Performs various engineering functions to support the maintenance of SMUD transmission and distribution system.

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

• Ensures the safe, reliable, and economical delivery of power to customers; develops real time operating solutions and produces cost-effective plans and project proposals for the distribution of electrical power to customers; obtains, analyzes, and applies data from multiple sources such as system operating and outage reports, customer information, feeder and substation load reports, test reports, community growth plans, commercial, industrial and residential development proposals, and observing development activity in the service area.
• Assist in developing short-, mid-, and long-range distribution system plans for an assigned area by incorporating SMUD policies, goals and objectives, community agreements, analyzing system performance data, including load, reliability, voltage, power factor, and protection coordination, reviewing and evaluating impacts of load growth , Environmental Impact Reports, Tentative Development maps, public works projects and programs, commercial and residential development proposals, quit claim requests and right-of-way abatement requests, and evaluating system improvement proposals from internal and external stakeholders.
• Supports the overall achievement and completion of department projects; 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 schedules as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Aids in determining optimum system configuration and utilization requirements based on current and projected future system needs; monitors and analyzes SMUD distribution system to ensure sufficient distribution system capacity to serve current and projected load growth in a safe, reliable and cost-effective manner.
• Ensures that new developments and programs meet applicable standards and regulations; may serve as liaison with community planning agencies, developers, customers, and the public to coordinate the development of infrastructure plans, negotiate new electric services or modify existing electric services, establish electric infrastructure requirements for commercial and residential commercial developments, define and discuss operating and reliability issues, and provide other key information.
• Analyzes and solves technical operations and field problems, assesses system performance under normal and abnormal operating conditions, and ensures system design integrity; provides technical support to operations, design, and field personnel including collaborating on major load addition projects and primary service additions; performs power flow analysis and fault and protection coordination studies.
• Develops multi-year transmission and distribution system maintenance and capital improvement plans to meet reliability and regulatory compliance requirements. Development of these plans requires extensive analytical skills utilizing various tools such as Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Outage Management System (OMS) and Geographical Information System (GIS).
• Assists in the development of transmission and distribution (T&D) asset management strategies that balances capital investments and O&M expenses. Development of the strategy requires knowledge of T&D equipment and condition assessment.
• Performs engineering analysis to evaluate alternatives including a cost/benefit analysis, and develops recommendations on a course of action.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

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

Required Experience Qualifications

One or more (1+) years of progressively responsible relevant experience. This experience can include college related and internship assignments relevant to electric utility distribution systems.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License CDL and a satisfactory driving record not more than two moving violations in the last two years.

Knowledge Of

Concepts and principles relating to distribution system construction, planning, and operation; circuit analysis; short circuit calculations; load flow; grounding; protective relaying and its application to distribution systems; electrical power planning, theory; and practice including steady state and transient circuit analysis, electrical equipment design and application, grounding, protection and coordination; electric distribution system planning, theory and practice; electric system analysis and forecasting methodologies; data analysis and forecasting methodologies; computer aided modeling and analysis; techniques and practices for problem research and resolution; techniques and practices for cost benefit analyses; scientific methods and approaches to problem solving; principles and practices of economic analyses of projects and programs; principles of statistics; principles of complex mathematics including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus; federal, state, and local laws governing power distribution; techniques relating to customer relations; 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

Solve complex mathematical problems; analyze complex issues and develop alternative resolutions; conduct effective meetings; manage several assignments simultaneously with changing priorities; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely to individual or groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information; respond to and resolve customer issues, concerns, and needs; utilize state-of-the-art computer-aided modeling and analysis tools in system analysis and forecasting; perform complex distribution engineering analysis and forecasting; anticipate problems and apply innovative and creative techniques to resolve problems; perform economic analysis; compile and prepare technical, statistical, and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop preliminary cost estimates for project proposals; set work priorities; work independently; prepare conceptual designs and cost estimates for major complex installations and reconstruction jobs; weigh the relative costs and benefits of a potential action; 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

• Engineer In Training (EIT)
• California Professional Registration as an Electrical Engineer (PE)
• Data Analytics and large dataset manipulation
• Competent programming skills

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