Position Summary:

This position is responsible for 24/7 system operations including the calibration, commissioning, inspection, maintenance and repair of transmission and distribution equipment and protective relays, switches, apparatus and Power Line Carrier (PLC) communication systems associated with the transmission grid, distribution infrastructure and capital improvement projects.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

•  Perform maintenance and inspection on substation equipment by following a time based maintenance program according to the Cooperative’s Substation Equipment Maintenance Standards Plan, manufacturer recommendations and NERC compliance
• Perform monthly inspection of substation facilities and equipment, maintain records in PEC’s maintenance tracking software
• Execute formal switching orders inside substations as issued by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) System Operation Control Center (SOCC) to manipulate power flow on the high voltage transmission grid or to isolate transmission equipment
• Write and execute formal switching orders inside substations to manipulate power flow on the medium voltage distribution grid or to isolate distribution equipment
• Install mobile substations for substation construction projects, routine maintenance of substation power transformers or emergency power restoration Perform technical testing of substation equipment using specific test sets including TTR, contact resistance, oil dielectric tests, transformer power factor (Doble) testing, winding resistance, sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA), digital protective relay verification, electromechanical relay calibration, hi-pot, and phasing
• Test and inspect substation battery banks and chargers by testing strap impedance, cell voltage, cell impedance, specific gravity, temperature, charging current, and bank voltage
• Locate and repair DC grounds within substation control systems
• Perform speed tests, mechanical, and electrical inspection on substation 138KV SF6 gas circuit switchers
• Perform operating mechanism inspection, motion analysis, contact resistance, gas purity tests, and repair of 138KV SF6 gas breakers
• Perform operating mechanism inspection, internal inspection, motion analysis, power factor, contact resistance, and repair of 69/138KV oil breakers
• Extract oil samples from energized substation equipment for dissolved gas analysis (DGA) and fluid quality testing, review and interpret lab results
• Perform internal inspection and repair according to manufacture specification on a verity of substation power transformer load tap changers (LTC’s), models include RMV II, UVT, UVW, UZD, UZDRT, UZERT, UTT-B, TLS, TC525, LRT200, & 550H
• Perform Infrared thermography inspections of substations
• Repair hot spots on substation switches and connections identified thru infrared thermography inspections
• Perform Partial Discharge surveys on various energized substation equipment

• Provide expert technical support for substation capital improvement projects (CIP) by installing temporary equipment, performing load transfers, complex high voltage switching, and isolation of high voltage equipment

• Commission new substations or newly upgraded substations. Energize new substation equipment and perform all tests and electrical checks to ensure reliable operation
• Verify wiring diagrams and electrical control schematics during substation commissioning projects making corrections and design changes to ensure proper operation of all equipment and control circuits
• Program Schweitzer electronic protective relays and function test protection schemes by trip checking all new substation equipment
• Write logic scripts used as test plans for SEL digital protective relay tests
• Program, test, and commission programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) for protection circuits in substations (SEL relays)
• Perform end-to-end testing of PEC’s transmission carrier and fiber communication systems for reliable operation of the high voltage transmission grid
• Analyze test results on equipment and recommend practical, cost-effective solutions for equipment performance and repair.
• Follow work procedures and company policies
• Carry out operating procedures
• Perform emergency Call-Out duty for all substation issues and respond to substation power outages Record data on appropriate test reports to maintain NERC, FERC and TRE compliance
• Coordinate activities with other departments
• Maintain the security of confidential information
• Stay abreast of advances in technology
• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities:   May provide technical direction to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data or processing information
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service
• Knowledge of substation protection schemes including Bus & Transformer Differential, Breaker Failure, Cable Fault, and Zone Protection schemes 
• Knowledge of basic electricity, safety rules and procedures as well as the hazards involved in working around energized lines and equipment involving high and low voltage
• Knowledge of substation communication SCADA, relaying, monitoring and control systems
• Knowledge of reviewing and interpreting wiring diagrams and electrical control schematics for relay applications
• Knowledge of learned principles of electrical theory as applied to power transformers and autotransformers, relays, SCADA and TWACS systems, etc.
• Knowledge of reading manuals and interpreting diagrams
• Skilled in the use of electrical testing equipment including DOBLE 6150, DOBLE M4000, MEGGER, Hi-Pot, CT test set, phasing sticks, oil dielectric, contact resistance, and sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA)
• Skilled in time management
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Ability to use computer systems and applications
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems

Minimum Qualifications – (Education, Experience, Certification, & Licensure):

• Associate’s Degree in Electrical Power and Controls, Electronics Technology or related field
• Directly related experience may substitute for education
• Two years of Substation Technician II or equivalent experience
• Valid Texas Driver’s License

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 100 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• The employee will routinely utilize Personal Protective Equipment
• The employee will participate in emergency restoration and call-out duty
• The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions including wet and humid conditions

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud

• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period
• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation and gender identity.