(Electrical) Systems Engineer, Senior Distribution Engineer, Distribution Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Reading Municipal Light Department Job Position Description Job Title: Systems EngineerReports to: Assistant Director of Engineering and Director of EngineeringDivision: EngineeringJob Grade: 54     Revision Date: 5/30/2024Reviewed By:  Work Location: 230 Ash St OfficeUnion: Y☒ N☐ IBEW Local 103FLSA:  Exempt ☒ Non-Exempt ☐Pay Range:  $123,601.87 to $205,853.48 

This Position Description presents illustrative work activities usually encountered by personnel filling this position. It is not meant to list all possible work activities in all possible work conditions. It is also not meant to define specific limits on work activities that may be performed by any person holding this position. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.  Position descriptions may occasionally be changed to allow the RMLD to better meet the needs of the customers, reflect applicable laws and regulations, or otherwise implement Commission policies. All non-bargaining unit RMLD workers are “employees at will.”

Job Summary
Under direction of the Director and Assistant Director of Engineering, provide electrical distribution engineering services to the RMLD. Employees in this classification apply knowledge of electrical engineering to problems and projects requiring familiarity with methods and materials of electric programs.  Performs complex power system analysis such as protective coordination, fault studies, load service reliability, load forecasts, power quality, voltage stability and system expansion studies. Must qualify as a Level 1 Control Authority and be capable of on-call rotation with other Control Authorities.  This role involves field work and may include directing line workers and grid-asset workers as requested by Operations leadership or during outage restoration or system emergencies.

Illustrative Work Activities:
Essential work activities, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following.  Other related duties may be assigned.

• Assist the Director  in the areas of short and long term electric systems planning.
• Performs circuit modeling and load analysis to determine feeder and substation capacity of the sub-transmission and distribution lines, for short and long term growth. 
• Evaluates the impact of distributed generation on the electric system
• Supports the implementation of Distributed Generation, Solar, and Demand Response programs.
• Prepares technical procedures relative to system apparatus testing, maintenance, and operation.
• Prepares technical procedures relative to emergency operating procedures (EOP), including REMVEC drills and emergency operations.  
• Monitors system power factor and determine placement of capacitors for correction of power factor.
• Prepares technical procedure for design and implementation of Volt/Var optimization techniques.
• Prepares technical specifications for the procurement of electrical sub-transmission distribution equipment, control apparatus and metering.
• Prepares construction specifications and drawings for both O/H and U/G constructions.
• Prepares technical procedures for the inspection and maintenance of substations and associated control systems.
• Performs short circuit analysis, protection and coordination studies to ensure the proper protection of the RMLD’s sub-transmission and distribution systems.
• Prepares and/or approves, organizes, supervises and executes dispatch sequenced switching orders under normal and emergency conditions.
• Instructs personnel in proper inspections, maintenance and operation of electrical apparatus.
• Performs grounding, lightning protection and power quality analysis.
• Prepares technical procedures for electrical testing of high voltage and associated control equipment.
• Prepares Smart Grid & Distribution Automation Roadmaps and schedules its implementation.
• Generates technical proposals and bids.
• Prepares Power Point and or other presentations. 
• Generates system one-lines, circuit maps, etc. 
• Provides input on Division functions and related action/reaction impacts.
• Provides input, review and recommended updates as situations arise such as code, law and configuration changes, etc. for the RMLD Service Requirements Handbook.
• Generates applications, permits, authorizations, etc. for applicable entities including wiring inspector, building codes, tree warden, etc. 
• Generates contracts and/or applicable documents regarding pole petitions, pole attachments and J/O.
• Generates construction standards for overhead, underground, substation getaways, and fiber optic.
• Designs and manages multiple 35KV, 13.8KV and 4.16KV distribution construction projects, including O/H, U/G and substation.
• Programs and operates SCADA, OMS, DMS, and other related automated distribution equipment.
• Performs all required engineering calculations and analysis (i.e. reliability, load flow, protection and coordination, short circuit, voltage analysis, life cycle analysis, system loss calculation, planning study, etc.) in accordance with applicable laws and codes.
• Provides technical information and assistance to other RMLD Divisions, Town Depts., Agencies and customers.
• Monitors and oversees NERC, NPCC, and ISO compliance standards and requirements.
• Reviews all applicable construction and design codes and standards (i.e. NESC, IEEE, ANSI, NIST, etc.) and makes necessary recommendations for modifying construction designs and practices accordingly.
• Must qualify to be responsible for overseeing emergency operations as assigned Control Authority Level 1 as determined by the Director of E&O and the General Manager.
• Develops and prepares engineering designs, drawings, circuit maps, control diagrams, charts, databases, plans and other documents of the distribution system, substation facilities and SCADA.
• Provides technical leadership for major or complex engineering and construction projects and works closely with field personnel to support project development.
• Performs GIS edits, develop load flow models, program & troubleshoot smart grid devices.
• Performs all aspects of quality Project Management.
• Performs pole guying, tension, and loading analysis.
• Performs construction cost estimating and provides budget input.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university; specialization in power systems preferred; Master’s Degree preferred.  

Experience:
Minimum of 5-7 years of demonstrated electrical engineering distribution design planning, including demonstrated ability to perform load flow, protection and coordination, short circuit, voltage analysis, life cycle analysis, system loss calculation, pole loading, guy tensioning, in accordance with applicable laws and codes.  5 years of demonstrated switching and tagging of a system equivalent in complexity. 5 years of demonstrated experience in qualified project management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of theory and practices of electrical engineering related to the areas of assignment as obtained from accredited college or university.  Knowledge of NESC, OSHA and related O/H and U/G distribution construction and safety standards, codes and regulations. Knowledge of approved engineering construction and design codes and laws. Knowledge of system modeling, system protection and coordination, utilizing Milsoft Engineering Software. Knowledge of GIS and applicable software packages. Knowledge of SCADA automation and related integrated distribution software management systems. Knowledge of formal Red Tag Switchman/Tagman procedures. Knowledge of hazardous waste prevention spill prevention regulations. Knowledge of cost estimating, budgeting, and project management. Knowledge of emergency response, switching and tagging, as a qualified Control Authority or similar. Knowledge of FERC utility accounting.  Knowledge of municipal purchasing and bidding laws. Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems. Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques (i.e. trigonometry, calculus and coordinated geometry).

Judgment and Initiative:
Under direction, perform duties in accordance with established policies, codes, laws and professional standards; unusual policy questions involving interpretation or clarification usually reviewed with supervisor.  Initiative in ensuring continued process improvements in areas of job description duties to demonstrate better accuracy, productivity, safety and customer service, is expected. Strong understanding of utility best practices for electric distribution systems enables predictive and preventative initiatives. Ability to multi-task.  Demonstrates capability for accepting responsibility for the activities of major multi-divisional function areas as a Control Authority which entails overall responsibility for system operation, manpower, prioritization, state/local authority communication, safety, mutual aid, etc. Demonstrated experience and capability in establishing own work plans and priorities, using standard engineering practices, to assure timely completion of assigned work. 

Physical Demands:
Capable of perfo