Power System Engineer Senior (DER)
City of Austin Austin, TX, United States
- Location: Austin, TX, United States
- Categories: Engineering
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Oct 25, 2024
Job Description:
Power System Engineer Senior (DER)
Description
Minimum QualificationsEducation and/or Equivalent Experience:
- Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, plus seven (7) years of experience related to engineering.
Licenses or Certifications:
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, the ability to obtain a Texas PE license within one (1) year of employment.
Austin Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource ( DER ) Integration program is responsible for integrating and strategically implementing innovative DER technologies within the utility’s distribution system. As a DER Integration Engineer, you’ll engage with cutting-edge technologies, including micro-grids, standalone solar and energy storage, residential and commercial solar-plus-storage, Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems ( DERMS ), DER system protection, and other DERs, including non-inverter-based generation.
This position is ideal for engineers eager to tackle real-world challenges, grow within a collaborative team, and contribute to transformative energy solutions. Join Austin Energy in leading the transformation of its distribution system through innovation and teamwork.
Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION :
- The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Please be sure to detail on the application ALL current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
- Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
- Resumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see resumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
- Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after seven (7) days from the date of the initial advertisement.
- Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT :
- This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.
IF YOU ARE SELECTED AS A TOP CANDIDATE :
- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
- If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
- This position requires a criminal background investigation ( CBI ).
WORK SCHEDULE :
- This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.
TRAVEL :
- If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
$48.38 - $62.90
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Hybrid
- Shift may change according to departmental needs.
- Additional hours may be required to work outside of regular schedule.
Preferred Experience:
- Familiarity with Distributed Energy Resources ( DER ) and control systems
- Proficiency in reviewing and interpreting circuit maps, electrical drawings, control diagrams, and charts
- Collaborative team player who can work effectively in a team environment
- Self-starter capable of working independently with minimal direction
- Strong analytical skills and proven problem-solving abilities in both team and independent environments
- Understanding of communication protocols relevant to smart grid technologies
- Willingness to travel to project and/or client sites
- Familiarity with data analysis, data visualization, and data management tools
- Familiarity with SCADA systems, PLC programming, and communication protocols such as DNP3 or Modbus
- Project management skills
- Regulatory knowledge related to DER integration and grid interconnection.
- Innovative thinking for developing new solutions for integrating DER into existing grid infrastructure
- Technical writing skills for creating detailed technical reports and documentation
- Experience working directly with clients to understand their needs and provide technical support.
- Familiarity with power system simulation software
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Performs complex power system analyses, such as protective coordination, fault studies, load flows, service reliability, load forecasts, power quality, voltage stability, system expansion studies, and market operations. Prepares and reviews standards, equipment specifications, design procedures, and test procedures. Develops and prepares engineering designs, drawings, circuit maps, control diagrams, charts, databases, plans, and other documents for transmission and distribution systems, generation and substation facilities, market operation and settlement systems and SCADA / EMS . Provides technical expertise in materials, design, welding, equipment standards, relay coordination, technology or other areas related to the utility industry. Formulates, prepares, and implements operating and safety procedures and guidelines, and operating manuals for system facilities including substations, transmission, distribution, and generation. Prepares necessary reports to regulatory agencies. Assists in providing technical and financial inputs for projects in electric utility budget process. Identifies, investigates, and analyzes engineering design problems, and develops corrective actions. Provides technical leadership for major or complex engineering and construction projects, and works closely with field personnel to support project energization. Assists efforts to keep up with the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council ( NERC ), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC ), Electric Reliability Council of Texas ( ERCOT ) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC ) standards and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
- May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations, such as generation, transmission, distribution and other related fields.
- Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
- Knowledge of engineering standards, principles, methods, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.
- Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the local and state ordinances and laws.
- Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.
- Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
- Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
- Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems.
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, plus seven (7) years of experience related to engineering. Do you meet this requirement?
- Yes
- No
- Yes, I currently hold a State of Texas Professional Engineer license.
- Yes, I am licensed in another state and I have the ability to obtain licensing within one year of employment.
- I do not have Professional Engineer license.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
- Yes
- No
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please explain your experience working with large data sets and data visualization tools, analyzing performance data, and documenting key findings in reports for grant or business purposes?
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have experience coordinating projects with vendors and internal work groups?
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents Optional Documents