Electrical Engineer

Job Title

Technical Specialist in Protective Relays and Meters Installation

Assignment Responsibilities

Serves as a technical specialist in the installation of protective relays and meters throughout the power system and provides advice to senior colleagues and agency officials responsible for broad program operations within the area of expertise. Applies experimental theories and/or new applications or developments to extend or modify theories, concepts, and assumptions; resolve unique or client problems, conditions, or issues; significantly alter standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques; provide significant and innovative recommendations for advancing programs and/or methods; and execute significant projects representing an important segment of the agency's operating programs, or affecting the welfare of the public and/or the sustainability of natural resources and the environment. Specifically, performs the following:

• Performs fault calculations and coordinates relay settings
• Analyzes automatic fault clearing operations for proper protective scheme and power circuit breaker operation
• Develops new methods, techniques, and/or procedures to improve efficiency in the setting and testing of new relay racks
• In coordination with the assigned BPA Federal lead, provides technical expertise to the relay setting and testing team
• Facilitates and reviews field work including testing, tracking progress, and verifying that milestones and targets are met
• Facilitates the testing and calibration of new meters
• Examines scheme design for conformance with accepted practice in the specialized field
• Identifies problems and recommends and implements solutions
• Acts as a technical specialist in the development, interpretation, and application of professional guidelines required to test and commission relays and meters
• Provides technical analysis and coordinates with others in System Operations, Technical Services, Design, and District personnel on requirements and priorities for new relays
• Communicates complex technical issues orally and in writing to ensure that decisions reflect technical recommendations and support SPC needs
• Coordinates with Field Services, Project Management, Protection, RAS and Data Systems Engineering Design, Operations, Planning, and Construction
• Perform initial acceptance tests and commissioning checks for new installations and obtain data to be used by other personnel
• Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel to: Troubleshoot and solve equipment problems To identify and discern optimum equipment functioning. Use technical documentation as required to maintain, repair, or troubleshoot equipment issues. Prepare and draft reports which in general are a collection of test data, instrument readings, and other pertinent information that can be used by engineering staff to make an engineering determination on the equipment's operation.
• May perform special assignments related to System Protection Control (SPC) work including assisting with developing test programs; the development and assembly of special test circuits, and performing client tests
• Draft and prepare trouble-shooting instructions to assist with providing training to craftsman trainees
• Draft and prepare test result documentation feedback from Relay protection equipment as BPA Manager / BPA personnel

Requirements

Education & Corresponding Experience (required on matrix) Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering is required, preferably in the fields of Electrical, Electronics, or Power Engineering. 10 years' experience and knowledge of engineering concepts, principals, and practices applicable to components and facilities found on a regional transmission system is required. 10 years' experience as a System Protection Engineer is required. Required Technical Skills & Experience (required on matrix) Proficiency with administrative software such as Microsoft Office Suite products, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, including Microsoft Office 2010 is required. 9 years' experience in testing and installing protection equipment and command control circuitry projects. 9 years' experience integrating power system control systems at electrical utility or comparable public or private utility facilities. 9 years' experience setting and modifying electrical utility or comparable public or private utility power system control equipment. 9 years' experience electric utility systems, design practices, testing standards, safety standards, work standards and duties and tasks related to installation, testing, maintenance and repair of substation relay and control systems. Preferred Skills & Experience (optional on matrix) Proficiency with engineering software such as fault study analysis Aspen program, MathCad calculation worksheet, Wavewin system analysis program, SEL AcSelerator settings, and ABB PCM-600 settings, or similar software, is highly preferred. Additional Requirements (not required on matrix) Valid U.S. Driver's License is required at the time of boarding.