Principal Substation Engineer

Purpose

Serves as a technical or functional expert or consultant providing expertise and/or direction in one or more areas of the design of complex standard and non-standard electrical transmission and distribution substations, and facilities and for the development of transmission and distribution substation design and construction standards. Assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also serve in a lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work results in assigned areas and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating, and developing lower-level staff.

Nature and Scope

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience, and qualification requirements:

Flex classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual’s experience and performance) within the series: 

• Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level.
• Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job.

Non-Flex classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series: 

• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead/supervisory role.
• Principal: Subject matter expert/lead/supervisory level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed.

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and Oversee Projects: Addresses and resolves issues with significant implications for SMUD’s distribution services. Guides and manages complex utility system projects such as power generation, substations, transmission, and distribution by overseeing project design, assessments, studies, construction, and equipment installation. Responsibilities include directing and overseeing the preparation of standards, layouts, construction drawings, equipment specifications, and design procedures; preparing or reviewing load forecasts, system expansion studies, and other power system analyses; and developing project schedules and budgets.
• Develop Technical Standards: Contributes to establishing operational procedures, guidelines and manuals for system facilities—including substations, transmission, distribution, and power generation—by developing or supervising the creation of these documents. Ensures that operational manuals and procedures are current, effective, and aligned with the maintenance and operation of system facilities and equipment.
• Represent SMUD Externally: Serves as SMUD’s representative in technical discussions with city, county, state, and federal regulatory agencies, as well as in professional organizations that develop industry standards for electrical safety, distribution design, and materials manufacturing. Maintains ongoing contacts with internal and external groups, providing technical guidance and representing SMUD in regulatory matters. Prepares or oversees the preparation of reports for regulatory agencies and contributes technical expertise to industry committees such as ANSI, IEEE, and licensing bodies.
• Promote Safety: Promotes the safe construction and operation of SMUD facilities by reviewing safety practices and history, recommending improvements in facility design and construction, and ensuring compliance with SMUD safety policies, applicable codes and regulations.
• Support Customer Projects: Develops equipment specifications and estimates costs for special facilities agreements, particularly for large and critical customers with unique service needs.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform Technical Reviews: Evaluates internal and contracted designs for quality, reliability, safety, operability, maintainability, and cost effectiveness. Audits completed substation design work and associated customer satisfaction. Conducts technical and economic assessment related to SMUD rates, rules, and billing practices.
• Prepare Reports and Presentations: Presents project progress, unique design proposals, and significant changes to SMUD executives and Board of Directors.
• Provide Leadership: Participates in team tasks to meet unit goals, schedules and standards for quality, safety and performance. Coordinates work activities, prioritizes tasks, monitors progress, and guides staff efforts. Communicates effectively with team members, incorporates their feedback, and fosters a safe work environment. Assists in staff training, performance evaluations, and the onboarding of new personnel. Participates as a team member to achieve objectives and escalates issues when solutions are not immediately apparent.
• Additional Functions: Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• Seven or more (7+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the planning, design and operation of electric utility transmission and distribution systems and facilities, including distribution and transmission substations.

Required Licenses/Certificates

• Possessing and maintaining a valid California Driver’s License in good standing (no more than 2 moving violations within 2 years)

Knowledge Of

• Operations:
  • Fundamentals, procedures, and practices related to transmission and distribution systems (including substations) design, construction, operation, and protection.
  • Fundamentals, procedures, and practices related to electrical power engineering including advanced circuit analysis, electrical equipment design, short circuit calculations, grounding, and protective relaying.
  • Fundamentals, procedures, and practices related to manufacturing processes of electrical equipment and components including welding, rubber/fiberglass/plastic extruding, metal fabrication, and assembly.
  • Applicable industry standards such as ANSI, IEEE, NEMA, ICEA, ASTM, ISO 9000, ISO 9001 and ISO 9002.
  • Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing safety.
• Administration:
  • Concepts related to evaluating and recording performance results; planning, organizing, and overseeing work activities; and training staff.
  • Methods and techniques for: basic budgeting methods; problem-solving and resolving issues; negotiating; public speaking; and contract management.
  • Procedures and practices for overseeing contractor/consultant work activities; and project cost control, monitoring, managing, scheduling, and budget management.
  • Safety policies, practices and procedures.
  • Standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software.
  • English composition, business/report writing, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

• Effectively organize people, resources and work plans;
• Serve as a consultant/subject matter expert for the department;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally;
• Juggle multiple projects and priorities with multiple deadlines;
• Troubleshot, evaluate and problem solve;
• Interpret, assess, explain, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and/or requirements;
• Express ideas/facts clearly and concisely one-on-one or with groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information;
• Interact with others to influence and motivate;
• Interpret SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs, and/or other special agreements;
• Oversee adherence to safety policies and procedures;
• Plan, oversee, and review the work of others;
• Compile and prepare technical, statistical, and/or analytical reports and presentations;
• Develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences;
• Evaluate and resolve complex technical or management issues, and develop/implement resolution alternatives;
• Interpret, evaluate, and apply pertinent codes, laws, policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements;
• Organize highly complex and conflicting data in a readily understandable manner for various audiences;
• Utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of design experience related to high-voltage (115 kV and above) substations.
• Contract procurement and management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 
• Proven ability to lead large project teams.
• Experience managing large budgets.

Physical Requirements