AE Relay Tech Supervisor

austintexas; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Energy is seeking a dedicated supervisor to oversee technicians performing installation, testing, maintenance, and repair of protective relay systems and related equipment across substations up to 345 kV.

You will coordinate field activities, ensure safety, maintain ISO/ERCOT/NERC documentation, and lead training while managing parts, tools, and on-call coverage to support reliable operation of AE's Electric System.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising technicians in electrical substation environments.
• Strong understanding of protective relaying systems and associated equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot, analyze data, and implement design changes.

Responsibilities

• Supervises installation, testing, maintenance, and repair of protective relaying equipment.
• Oversees on-call responses and after-hours outage restoration coordination.
• Maintains documentation for ISO/ERCOT/NERC compliance and inventories.
• Leads field trainings and evaluates performance of Relay Technicians and Trainees.
• Reviews work for accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Reading blueprints

Electrical safety

Communication

PPE handling

Tools: hand & power

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Testing equipment

Job description

About This Position

This position supervises technicians performing installation, testing, maintenance, and repair activities for protective relay systems and associated communication, measurement and control equipment required for the safe and reliable operation of Austin Energy's (AE) Electric System.

Job Description

Purpose: This position supervises technicians performing installation, testing, maintenance, and repair activities for protective relay systems and associated communication, measurement and control equipment required for the safe and reliable operation of Austin Energy's (AE) Electric System.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Supervises the installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, operation, trip and function checks, point-to-point checks, in-service checks, circuit analysis, and protective relay logic verification of protective relaying equipment and schemes, substation equipment, metering, remote control, and data acquisition systems, in electrical substations with voltages up to 345 kilovolts (kV).
• Responds to on-call, emergency call-back, and after-hour outages due to weather-related events, system disturbances, equipment malfunction, and/or damage, and supervises emergency electric system restoration as necessary, which may include contractors.
• Works with electrical engineers to identify, troubleshoot, resolve issues, and make design changes. Answers customer questions and provide assistance as needed.
• Maintains documentation on systems for International Standards Organization (ISO), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and North America Electric Reliability Council (NERC) compliance and maintains assigned vehicle, tools, stock, and parts inventories.
• Makes recommendations on commissioning, testing, and maintenance procedures to accommodate new and existing protective relaying schemes.
• Is responsible for oversight, field technical training, and field performance evaluation of Relay Technicians/Trainees.
• Interfaces with City departmental and intergovernmental entities and reviews work completed by private contractors to ensure that AE's standards are met.
• Orders, stores, receives, issues, and distributes equipment, parts, tools, and supplies that are essential to the construction, maintenance, and repair of AE's electrical substations and related equipment.
• Reviews construction, maintenance, and repair work on AE's protective relays and related equipment, for accuracy, craftsmanship, and thoroughness.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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 AE safety rules, regulations, work practices, standards, and procedures associated with electrical substations and protective relaying systems.
• Knowledge of safety rules, procedures, and hazards involved with working on and around energized electrical systems (lines and equipment/high and low voltage).
• Knowledge of utility communication, relaying, monitoring, and control systems.
• Knowledge of leadership and training techniques.
• Skill in data analysis and using mathematics, problem solving, and electrical power systems theory to solve protective relaying system problems or issues.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Skill in operating computers and related software applications.
• Skill in properly using, inspecting, maintaining, and safely storing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Skill in operating switching devices and equipment used to de-energize and isolate circuits and devices on AE's electrical transmission, substation, and distribution system.
• Skill in inspecting and safely operating hand and powered tools, equipment, apparatus, and instruments used in the installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of protective relaying schemes, electrical substations, and related equipment.
• Skill in reading and understanding, oral, written, and electronic instructions, technical manuals, profile plans, blueprints, sketches, diagrams, and drawings.
• Skill in drawing, sketching, or modifying diagrams, profile plans, drawings, and control circuit schematics.
• Ability to collaboratively problem solve; communicate with Relay Technicians, engineers, and management; make field corrections or as-builts on engineering drawing; and communicate work assignments.
• Skill in leading, planning, and organizing work assignments and monitoring relay construction and maintenan