Senior Power System Control Tech

This requisition expires on November 8, 2025, but may close earlier if the position is filled prior to the expiration date.
Responsible for managing all aspects of the protection systems in the Denton area under direction of DME Engineering.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

DUTIES

• Plan, schedule and direct all testing and maintenance of the protection system; serve as Subject Matter Expect (SME) and Power System Control Lead, as appropriate.
• Train assigned staff members in National Electrical Testing Association (NETA) best practices, North American Electric Reliability Corporation PRC-005 testing tasks, and DME standard operation procedures, as directed by DME Management.
• Oversee and perform installation, setup, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment, relaying schemes, DFR equipment, and associated communication equipment for DME and Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) projects.
• Lead and perform, as needed, functional testing of substation control circuits for relay panels, transformers & circuit breakers.
• Oversee substation electrical equipment troubleshooting, including but not limited to protective relays, RTU's, circuit breakers, transformers, switches, meters, and communications for protective relays.
• Oversee and perform annual NERC PRC005-6 testing and maintains document of compliance for Texas Reliability Entity (TRE) audits.
• Ensure apparatus testing for substation breakers, current and potential transformers is completed, as needed.
• Develop written standards for commissioning, testing and maintenance procedures for protective relaying, digital fault recorders, and remote terminal units.
• Commission Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) including reviewing settings files for the RTU, sets up communication, and tests the digital, analog and control points.
• Review, approve and implement recommended changes in system protection studies, including but not limited to, the annual Relay Coordination and Loadability Study.
• Retrieve relay settings, event reports, and sequential event recorder (SER) data as needed from substation devices.
• Review, approve, and implement changes to relay settings due to changes in protection schemes, temporary changes in system configuration or other causes.
• Maintain records of current relay settings for all protective system devices owned or operated by DME and TMPA on network drive.
• Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), including but not limited to, describing protection schemes for feeders, transformers, transmission lines, and capacitor banks.
• Perform audits of the distribution and transmission relay settings to spot errors and create consistency.
• Ensure field mark prints capture all changes made during relay installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
• Assist with creation and review of system protection designs for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
• Assist with procuring protection system components for CIP projects or maintenance needs.
• Analyze event reports to determine root cause and perform corrective actions, as needed.
• Perform a variety of delegated research tasks and projects; document findings; prepare reports, graphs, and other illustrative materials, as required.
• Research, identify and provide information on industry innovations that support the continual improvement of the DME protection system.
• Support DME Engineering staff with other regulatory requirements, including but not limited to PRC002, PRC004, and PRC027.
• Ensure relay test equipment is properly maintained and calibration is performed annually.
• Support internal stakeholders during regulatory audits; provide supporting evidence and explanation of maintenance tasks.

Supervisory/Budget Responsibilities

• Assist with selection, training, and coaching of assigned staff.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education, Experience, And Licenses/Certifications

• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Electronics, Electrical Power and Controls, or related field; and,
• Six (6) years' experience in commissioning relay protection systems, calibrating relays, testing, and repairing substation relaying and control schemes; and,
• Six (6) years' experience with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories relays 351S, 311L, 387, 411L, 487B, 487E, 487V, 587Z, 501, 551, 751A; and,
• Two (2) years' experience with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories automation devices 2032, 3530, 3355, and with Subnet Substation Server software; and,
• Four (4) years' experience with Megger SMRT and Omicron CM test sets and Enoserv RTS software; and,
• Four (4) years' experience with carrier and fiber-line and relay communication systems,

OR

• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job.

Required Skills/Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Local laws and regulations, as well as City of Denton policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of and utilization of SEL AcSELerator Quickset, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office software, spreadsheets, and familiar with using database tables and associated applications.
• Knowledge of NESC, NEC, and other regulatory requirements for electric service in new buildings.
• Skill in protective relay, substation communication, and/or SCADA/Automation theory and application, general electrical/electronic theory and computer hardware and software skills.
• Skill in using Doble relay testing system (RTS) and Powerbase software.
• Skill in reading and comprehending highly technical or specialized materials.
• Skilled in reading and interpreting plans, blueprints, schematics, and/or other related electrical documents.
• Skill in interpreting and applying applicable electrical and relay requirements and processes.
• Skill in moderate problem solving; identifying moderate-to-complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to apply the testing standards defined in National Electrical Testing Association (NETA).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work, maintain attention to details and quality, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written forms, as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Ability to develop, understand, interpret, and apply rules, policies, and procedures operations.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing work environment to facilitate/accomplish needed activities.
• Ability to read, interpret, and implement national electrical codes in utility project designs, electronic instructions, profile plans, blueprints, sketches, diagrams, and drawings.
• Ability to document all adjustments necessary and approved to complete the project.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow safety protocols and safe work procedures.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must have and maintain a valid Class "C" Driver's License and valid state required minimum automobile liability insurance prior to employment (must obtain Texas Class "C" driver's license and state required minimum automobile liability insurance within 90 days of hire per state law)
• Must pass a drug test, driver's license check, criminal history background check, and social security number verification.
• Must pass a physical examination.

SAFETY

• Perform preventive maintenance on tools and equipment; ensure equipment is in safe operating condition.
• Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operate tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Promptly report unsafe conditions in the work area and/or any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Safety Sensitive (Subject to random drug testing): Yes.
• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including a computer and peripherals, hand and power tools, relay testing equipment, and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Posture: Extensive standing; moderate climbing, stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions and reaching, including fine dexterity.
• Lifting: Heavy lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Environment: Work performed inside climate-controlled substation control buildings and switchgear buildings and outside with exposure to sun, heat, cold and increment weather, noise, no/low light, insects, poison oak/ivy, debris, odor, and rough terrain; work requires irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Travel: Travels to City of Denton buildings and professional meetings as required.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position. Must be able to respond to call-in within 30 minutes and be responsible for call when your name comes up on rotation list. Must be available to be on stand-by and work emergency call-outs.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

CORE VALUES

• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Service-Oriented
• Strategically Focused
• Fiscally Responsible

TOP TIER BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage in addition to life and disability insurance plans
• Employee Health Clinic
• Paid Vacation Days and Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan

EEO STATEMENT
The City of Denton is an equal opportunity employer. It is the City of Denton's policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.

ADA/EOE/ADEA
This job description is not an employment agreement, contract agreement, or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.