To be a resource to SVEC’s Electric System and Operational Technology for current and future conditions by applying prudent monitoring, maintenance, construction, and technological solutions in order to provide the safest, most reliable service at the best possible value to member/owners while achieving Cooperative and departmental goals and objectives within Cooperative established guidelines. 

Essential functions of the job - Oversee the Protection and Coordination Program for Distribution and      Transmission System.  This includes performing protection and coordination studies, producing settings files, installing settings files, and monitoring its performance to make improvements towards safety and reliability.   Oversee the setup, maintenance and operation of the Load Management System.  This includes system inspections, functionality tests, operational strategy development, and maintenance scheduling.  Assist the System Engineering Department with the SCADA system.  This includes integration with technical systems, performance, routine maintenance, and any improvements. Oversee the setup, maintenance, and operation of the SVEC’s AMI system. Assist Manager of System Engineering to oversee the setup, maintenance and operation of equipment and controls used by Engineering and Operations such as Recloser Controls, Regulator Controls, Electronic Relaying, Communications Systems, etc.  Advise and assist with specialized installations of transformers, meters or other equipment.  Maintain a basic knowledge of construction specifications and methods in order to assist/advise in operations and construction as needed.  Maintain basic knowledge of equipment and methods used in Power Quality Analysis, Stray Voltage Investigation, Frequency Spectrum, Interference Investigations, etc. in order to assist and/or analyze the measurements and investigations.  Communicate the findings to the parties involved in terms consistent with their background.  Assist other engineers to perform engineering studies to monitor seasonal and annual performance of the system.  These include studies of voltage drop, fault current, load balancing, equipment loading, etc.  Perform individual case studies for such things as motor starting, sectionalizing problems, device settings, etc. Maintain working knowledge of Distributed Generation Interconnections on the Cooperative’s system and the Cooperative’s Distributed Resources Interconnection Requirements.  Assist in the creation of the Cooperative’s switching procedures for the Overhead Operating Manual, emergency situations, and planned activities as needed.  Advise and assist the Manager of System Operations in switching, SCADA, and Load Management.  Advise the System Operators in switching, SCADA, and Load Management.  Advise and Assist the Manager of System Engineering and Manager of System Planning in fulfilling the responsibilities of those positions. Responsible for substations, including design, bidding, ordering, coordination, preparation of contracts and construction. Advise and support the Engineering Technician(s) and System Technicians.  Advise and support the System Maintenance Engineer. Advise and support the Power Distribution Engineer. Advise and support the Manger of Key Accounts in items related to any assigned responsibilities that affect their managed accounts. Schedule is subject to change without notice. It is the individual responsibility of every employee to maintain a current awareness and understanding of appropriate laws, regulations, internal policies and procedures, and to comply fully with those laws, regulations, policies and procedures. High level of concentration on accuracy, timeliness, flexibility, reasoning, ability to prioritize and maintain confidentiality. Other duties as assigned.

Training and Experience - 10 years’ experience in electric system operations, construction, or management. 2 years’ experience in either electric system protection and control systems, planning, GIS, SCADA, database software, or Key Account management. Experience with NERC, SERC, and RFC or similar regulatory bodies.  Some experience in computer programming (basic, fortran, cobal, etc).  Experience in drafting and AutoCAD preferred.  Additional supervisory and management courses such as NRECA 300 and 400 programs of study.

Knowledge - A thorough knowledge of rural electrification and Cooperative principles.  Principles of Electrical Engineering.

Abilities and Skills - Must be able to maintain professionalism and control under all circumstances. Has and maintains valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record and be able to operate SVEC vehicles. Must become and remain certified in CPR and first aid. Must also be skilled in the use of all safety equipment. Must pass physical exam, drug & alcohol testing initially; drug/alcohol test randomly. Ability to handle the challenge of operating efficiently under a very flexible schedule due to the number of unanticipated and unplanned requests for services from the various individuals, departments and outside contacts with whom this position is involved. Leadership ability and the ability to motivate peers toward goal achievement. Strong verbal, written, analytical and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated problem-solving skills. Ability to perform job responsibilities in a timely manner within established guidelines under minimal supervision. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to interview and select employees. Ability to supervise, coach and direct employees assigned. Ability to work well with other departments’ personnel and to break down “silos”. Ability to stay current on changes to all areas for which this position has responsibility. Ability to dissect and resolve complex problems quickly and systematically. Ability to gather data and use it to make justifiable and reasonable projections of future growth and needs. Expectation to know answers or find answers and explanations to problems or events which are out of the ordinary and which other people don’t understand or don’t know how to research.  Ability to keep up with technological changes and governmental requirements, which affect job and the Cooperative. Ability to organize and coordinate material, delivery schedules, contract labor, and construction schedules for substations and transmission lines to make sure nothing is forgotten, and efficiency is maximized. Possess effective techniques to research and access all sources necessary to fulfill position responsibilities. Must participate in the On-Call program for the Operations Center. Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word. Must have access to reliable transportation to and from work.

Educational Requirements - Bachelor of Science Degree in a related engineering field required. P.E. license and 5 years related experience and/or training or equivalent preferred.

About Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

Chartered in 1936, SVEC maintains over 8,100 miles of electric lines and serves more than 97,000 member accounts in the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Highland (all), Page (all), Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren in Virginia, and the city of Winchester (all). Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative was the first electric cooperative chartered in Virginia. SVEC is governed by a democratically elected 10-member board of directors. Each year, at SVEC’s annual meeting, directors are elected by members. Directors serve four-year terms.

Connections working at Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative