Spring 2027 Student Internship - Distribution Design and Engineering

Power up a career with us. Our people are our greatest investments. 

Be the light to help us keep our customers connected. If you are interested in a career and not just a position, Tampa Electric is the place to be! Tampa Electric offers competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth and development in a friendly and professional work environment. We embrace diversity and the inclusion of all. We believe our differences, unique perspectives and talents are our strengths and integral to the success of our company.

We’re honored to serve approximately 780,000 customers across West Central Florida and safely provide them with clean, affordable and reliable electricity. We’ve been doing it for more than 100 years, and there’s so much more ahead.

Join our team of energy experts as we build on that legacy through innovation, continued solar investments, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions all while keeping top-notch customer service at the center of all we do. 

Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a family of energy companies which also includes TECO Peoples Gas and New Mexico Gas Company. Emera provides energy to residential and commercial customers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, with career opportunities available in all of these locations.

Where Your Education Meets Opportunity

Are you a college student ready to gain real-world experience in your field of study? The TECO Energy Student Program is your opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting, contribute to meaningful projects, and grow your career from day one.

We partner with accredited four-year colleges and universities to recruit motivated students who are eager to learn and make an impact. As a student with us, you’ll take on challenging assignments that align with your academic background and our business needs—giving you a head start on your future.

Why Join Us?

• Hands-on experience in your area of study
• Meaningful, project-based work
• Professional development and mentorship
• A supportive, inclusive work environment

Start building your future with TECO Energy.

Position Summary/Details:

This position is responsible for the coordination and design of Tampa Electric Company’s (TEC) distribution system, including new construction and maintenance projects. This position will establish relationships with customers and local agencies to determine the requirements for providing service. The Engineer will generate and manage projects using TEC tools, and create the necessary permit and construction drawings. The Engineer will be responsible for the successful coordination of the project with TEC departments to completion.

Key Responsibilities and/or Learning Objectives

1. Meet with customers and/or their agents (Customers) to conduct needs and feasibility assessments

on multiple construction projects and load additions of varying scale. Manage the schedule and

required completion dates of different construction phases.

▪ Manage communication to all involved entities concerning any updates in the construction

schedule or other changes with potential impact, documenting updates through letters and

emails, as necessary.

▪ Coordinate and manage the construction activities between TEC Planning & Scheduling, Field

Construction, Operations, the Customer, and any other ED Departments.

▪ Represent customers in weekly POW meetings with all involved TEC departments.

2. Create and manage work requests (WR) in the Work Management System (WMS). Divide jobs into

phases/crews, establishing an associated WR for each of the different TEC construction

phases/crews involved: including overhead line crews, underground line crews, service crews,

grounding contractors, project conduits, and crossing conduits. Enter and continually update

targeted schedule dates, work status, and other project details in WMS for all associated WRs.

3. Perform analysis to determine the most economical and reliable solutions for customers and the

TEC distribution system.

▪ Calculate and analyze customer load for proper sizing of TEC facilities

▪ Design and determine TEC facility locations

▪ Design to NESC and TEC specifications, providing pole loading analysis, cable pulling

calculations, ruling span calculations, clearances, motor start calculations, voltage drop, and

sag calculations.

▪ Adhere to Florida Administrative Code (Tariff)

4. Using TEC’s geographical information system (GIS), design the proposed and update existing

electrical features (company assets). Establish all specifications in GIS, such as the correct

electrical connectivity, proper supporting structures, and all compatible units (CU) for materials

and labor. Resolve any identified errors in GIS, ensure all GIS task types are linked to the WMS WRs,

and export GIS material data to WMS.

5. Produce and/or oversee the production of construction prints for Field Construction, Operations,

and/or contractors:

▪ Verify and approve that locations of TEC’s existing and proposed equipment and any third

party infrastructure (water, sewer, storm, gas, telephone, and cable lines) are adequately

identified on the construction prints, and equipment specifications are captured.

▪ Based on the scope of construction and company safety standards, determine necessity and

scale of Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan that Field Construction, Operations, and/or

contractors would need for completing work in the right-of-way.

▪ Prepare GIS prints to submit to regulatory agencies for DOT, City, County, or other required

governing agency permits.

▪ Generate construction prints that clearly communicate the plan of work to the field crews.

6. Produce construction cost estimates (including labor, materials, and vehicle) and obtain/calculate

projected four year revenue as needed. Determine and communicate the need for Contribution-inAid-of-Construction (CIAC) charges to customers based on TEC revenue shortage/excess costs.

7. Access and inspect energized equipment and install current/voltage recording devices for

troubleshooting. Troubleshoot customer voltage complaints using various instruments; such as

recording ammeters, voltmeters. Install, program, and download voltage monitoring devices,

analyze results, and utilize engineering skills and practices to resolve customer voltage complaints.

8. Using visual and physical procedures, investigate, examine, and test the integrity of TEC

distribution facilities to determine the need for replacement or upgrade.

9. Interpret plans for large projects of relative complexity, such as road widening, intersection

improvements, and relocations of infrastructures. Identify all impacted TEC facilities and reconcile

the final design, protecting TEC’s assets and satisfying the local agency requirements. Provide

engineering and project management for large master-planned developments and large commercial

projects including malls, retail, and schools.

10. Support the service area Operations Engineer for reliability issues, customer complaints, fuse sizing

and coordination, load balancing, capacitor maintenance, and overall circuit improvement, as

necessary. Assist in the investigation and response to Public Service Commission inquiries.

Physical Location of Co-op:

Western Service Area Location 5402 West Sigh Ave Tampa, FL 33614 

Working Conditions

Mostly in a normal office environment, a successful candidate will visit the field approximately weekly. This will include riding in a company vehicle on-road and off-road, walking on uneven surfaces, and entering substations.

Preferred Availability:

Part – Time (20-30 hours)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

The successful applicant should be enrolled in an accredited university as a college undergraduate or a graduate level post-secondary educational program in a related discipline for the first semester the student joins the program.

Co-Op Requirements:

To qualify as a co-op student, enrollment in the university’s co-op program (proof of enrollment required); if not eligible for co-op program (or program unavailable), the student will be considered an intern.

Required Degree:

No preference/open

Year in School:

Junior or Senior

Emera Leadership Competencies:

• Builds Strong, Collaborative Relationships
• Cultivates Innovation and Embraces Change
• Drives Operational Excellence for Customers
• Speaks Up on Safety, Health, and the Environment
• Takes Ownership & Acts with Integrity
• Thinks Strategically & Exercises Sound Judgement 

A pre-employment drug screening, physical exam (as applicable), as well as a background check (including employment, criminal and motor vehicle) will also be conducted as part of the pre-employment screening.

TECO Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TECO Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is unable to perform the essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodations.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all individuals, employment decisions at TECO Energy will be based on skills, knowledge, qualifications and abilities.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Statement

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

ADA policy

It is the policy of TECO Energy to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified disabled individuals who are employees and applicants for employment, unless it would cause undue hardship. The corporation will adhere to applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines, including, but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1970s.

Application accommodations

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation in the application process five business days prior to the time accommodation is needed.

Pre-employment physical exams may be required for positions with bona fide job-related physical requirements regardless of disability.