Distribution Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with cost-benefit analyses and evaluate technologies in collaboration with Operations, IT, and Accounting to support the Cooperative’s strategic initiatives.
• Support engineering department activities, providing technical assistance to management, supervisors, employees, and customers.
• Work with commercial and industrial customers to provide customized engineering support and address service requirements.
• Assist in planning, preparing, and implementing power system analysis, distribution planning, and improvement studies.
• Develop and implement construction specifications, engineering procedures, and operational standards.
• Prepare engineering drawings, staking plans, subdivision layouts, highway projects, and mapping records.
• Utilize outage management systems (OMS), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, engineering analysis software, and mapping/GIS systems to support electric distribution operations.
• Assist with sectionalizing studies, system coordination, distribution automation, and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with operations supervisors, field crews, contractors, and staking personnel to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and according to specifications.
• Design and develop work orders that meet customer requirements while complying with Cooperative policies and procedures.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining engineering and operational agreements.
• Respond to customer questions and concerns while maintaining strong relationships with employees, customers, and the general public.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable safety standards, electrical codes, Cooperative policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage assigned projects, prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and support project completion within established budgets.
• Participate in ongoing safety training and follow all applicable company, state, and federal safety regulations.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Strong understanding of electrical power distribution systems, including design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
• Ability to perform engineering analysis, system planning, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.
• Familiarity with SCADA, outage management systems, GIS/mapping systems, and engineering analysis software.
• Knowledge of electrical distribution design, sectionalizing, system coordination, and distribution automation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with engineering teams, operations personnel, contractors, customers, and management.
• Strong customer service orientation and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidential company and customer information.

Codes & Regulatory Knowledge

• Must acquire a thorough understanding of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
• Knowledge of applicable JPEC tariffs, policies, and procedures.
• Must understand and comply with Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) rules and regulations.
• Must follow applicable federal, state, and local safety and regulatory requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and outdoor field environments.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and navigate field obstacles as required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate a computer, keyboard, and mouse daily.
• Ability to communicate effectively and perform tasks requiring the use of hands, fingers, and wrists.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, humidity, rain, and dust.

Work Environment & Conditions

• Approximately 60–70% of working time will be spent in an office or indoor environment, with the remaining time involving field activities.
• May work near moving vehicles, machinery, energized electrical lines, and equipment.
• Must follow appropriate safety precautions when working around electrical infrastructure and field equipment.
• Must reside within a 30-mile radius of JPEC headquarters.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Must be available to work extended or non-standard hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations.
• Must be available for on-call responsibilities in varying weather conditions.