Title: Associate Distribution System Engineer Journey Level
Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824
Minimum Pay Rate: $114,712.00
Maximum Pay Rate: $151,985.60
Civil Service Status: Civil Service
Apply by Date:
Posting Type: Open
SMUD is looking to fill a regular, full-time Associate Distribution System Engineer position in the Transmission & Distribution Maintenance Planning team. We are seeking a highly engaged individual to join the maintenance engineering team that supports our Zero Carbon Plan. Individuals will perform engineering functions under the direction of a Supervising Principal Engineer. This position will provide real-time engineering support for the safe and reliable operation of SMUD’s power system. The ideal candidate will work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and will be responsible for the development of maintenance plans and projects, as well as troubleshooting and testing oversight of SMUD’s substation assets, that ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
SMUD’s ideal candidate for this position is a forward-thinking leader who has an extensive background in assessing the status SMUD’s power system and can utilize advanced tools to help resolve adverse grid conditions to ensure that the system is operating in its optimal state. The selected candidate will analyze complex technical problems and apply engineering principles to develop solutions; diagnose operational and design problems in electrical systems; interpret drawings, schematics, statistical data, and reports. Additionally, the successful candidate must be able to interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; operate modern office equipment including a computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job; present technical information in a clear and concise manner; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.
Note:
We are posting this opportunity for an Associate Distribution System Engineer Journey along with an Associate Distribution System Engineer Entry position. The department will be filling only one position which may be at either of the listed levels. If you are interested in also being considered for the Associate Distribution System Engineer Entry, you will need to apply to that requisition directly.
Purpose
Performs project engineering for an assigned portion of SMUD’s power distribution system including to monitor system and component operations, identify deficiencies, develop problem solutions, and justify and prioritize required work; provides technical support to distribution operations; and develops long and medium range system plans and annual implementation plans in anticipation of future power distribution requirements in order to maintain and improve the adequacy and operating efficiency of the 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 a safe, reliable, and economical power service 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.
- Develops long-, mid-, and short-range SMUD power distribution plans for an assigned area by incorporating SMUD policies and community agreements, analyzing system performance data, including load, reliability, voltage, power factor, and protection coordination, reviewing and evaluating impacts of growth such as proposed public works projects and programs, Environmental Impact Reports, Tentative Development maps, development proposals, quit claim requests, and right-of-way abatement requests, and evaluating system improvement requests from customers, systems operators, and the field.
- 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 schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
- Determines optimum system configuration and utilization requirements based on current and projected future needs; monitors and analyzes SMUD power distribution against overall current use of electrical power versus power required by community projects and programs, public works projects, private development projects, etc., in assigned area(s) in order to determine such items as technical and environmental impacts on distribution system performance, system deficiencies, areas in need of improvement, and solutions to potential and current problems and deficiencies, costs and benefits of solutions.
- Ensures that the power distribution system keeps up with current and future demands and operates effectively and reliably and that new developments and programs meet applicable standards and regulations; maintains liaison with community planning agencies, developers, customers, and the public to coordinate the development of power distribution system plans by meeting with present and potential large customers to negotiate new services, expand or modify existing services, define and discuss operating and reliability issues, establish distribution systems primary requirements for all residential subdivisions and Rule 16 commercial developments, and provide system information.
- Solves technical operations and field problems, assesses system performance under normal and abnormal 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 studies.
- 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 closely related field.
Required Experience Qualifications
- Three or more (3+) of years of progressively responsible relevant experience performing distribution system design and/or analysis.
Required Licenses/Certificates
- Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s 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
- Possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate
- Experience with Power BI, SAP, AutoCAD, PowerBase
- Understand the interrelationships between SMUD’s operations and relevant external entities
Physical Requirements
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position will be required to work onsite one or more days a week on a regular basis; sometimes more or less, depending on the work and, at any of our SMUD locations. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.