Apprentice through 1st Class Relay Technician in Montpelier

Green Mountain Power; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled Relay Technician to support the installation and maintenance of high voltage electrical systems. This role involves working with advanced protective relays, SCADA systems, and communication equipment to ensure the reliability of electrical distribution. The ideal candidate will apply their technical expertise in a dynamic environment, contributing to innovative solutions that enhance service delivery. Join a forward-thinking company that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and community engagement, while offering opportunities for professional growth and development in the energy sector.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Training and Development Programs

Flexible Work Hours

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years as a Relay Technician Class 2 or equivalent experience.
• Must possess FCC General Class License for radio equipment work.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and repair substation high and low voltage systems.
• Provide guidance and training to less experienced technicians.
• Perform preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.

Skills

High Voltage Electricity Knowledge

Electrical Control Systems

SCADA Systems

Communication Equipment Maintenance

Safety Practices

Customer Service Skills

Education

Associate's Degree in Electronics Technology

Tools

Protective Relay Test Equipment

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Fiber Optic Cables

Digital Fault Recorders (DFRs)

Job description

This position is primarily responsible for performing a variety of functions related to the installation, removal, maintenance, testing and repair of substation high and low voltage electrical transmission, distribution, control and communication equipment as utilized in or for the operation of Substations, Transmission, Distribution, and Generating Plants. Work is varied in nature. The incumbent applies an advanced technical knowledge of high voltage electricity, electrical control, communication and protection equipment to work performed. Works under limited supervision and in compliance with established policies, procedures and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(Majority of duties, but not meant to be all-inclusive nor prevent other duties from being assigned as necessary.)

Functional:

1. Programs, installs, tests, commissions, troubleshoots, repairs and maintains electro-mechanical, solid-state and microprocessor based protective relays, SCADA NTU's and RTU's, data concentrators, digital fault recorders, communication processors, programmable logic controllers, panel meters, transducers, IED's, control panels associated with the GMP's substation, generation, Transmission and Distribution facilities.
2. Installs, prepares and terminates control cables, coaxial and panelboard wire to required standards.
3. Terminates, splices repairs and may install fiber optic cable.
4. Responsible for the installation, calibration and repair of all transducers, transmitters and communication equipment associated with the SCADA LAN system.
5. Installs, maintains, and repairs, various forms of substation communications equipment including digital multiplexer equipment including fiber, layer 2 and layer 3 networking switches and routers.
6. Oversees the installation of equipment and other work performed by outside contractors on Company property as required.
7. Diagnoses emergency situations for proper restoration of service to customers based on understanding of the operation of all substations in the Company's system if the Controller is unavailable.
8. Utilizes protective relay test equipment for the calibration and testing of electromechanical, solid state and microprocessor based protection systems.
9. Understands and employs safe work practices associated with working in energized high voltage substations and generating stations.
10. Performs protection and control work consistent with GMP Safety, Switching and Tagging procedures by utilizing tailboard conferences, attending monthly safety meetings, and using and maintaining personal protective equipment.
11. Qualified to perform switching and tagging duties in accordance with Green Mountain Power requirements.
12. Required to be on Velco switching and/or tagging list.
13. Constructs and commissions substation and generation facility protection and control systems consistent with project schedule and cost objectives, by reviewing and commenting on designs and commissioning procedures, installing equipment, performing commissioning, returning corrected prints and commission procedure notes for finalizing documentation.
14. Maintains substation and generation protection, SCADA communication and control equipment to provide system reliability and reduce operating costs, by performing scheduled preventative maintenance, calibration, operating tests, troubleshooting and repairing protection, SCADA communication and control equipment accurately completing all job and station specific recordkeeping to support facility operation and maintenance.
15. Provides support and feedback for Engineering during the installation, testing, and commissioning of communication equipment, protection and control schemes as needed.
16. Completes daily paperwork and provides job status as required to all effective work scheduling.
17. Provides guidance and training to less experienced Relay Technicians and Relay Technician Apprentices.
18. Ability to coordinate and take the lead on all projects related to the Relay Technician position.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists in storm restoration efforts, including storm damage assessment, line patrolling, contract crew guide, and operating distribution protective devices.
2. May install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair AMI gatekeepers, 900MHz meter mesh, in building cell repeaters, satellite phones, landline phones (POTS), Multiplexed (JMUX) phone extensions and communication antennas.
3. May assist the Communication Technicians to Install, maintain, and repair, various additional forms of communications equipment including, digital point to point radio, VHF, UHF, 200MHz 2-way radios, and radio dispatch consoles.
4. Insures radio equipment is programmed and operated in compliance with FCC rules, including posting individual FCC site license.
5. Performs occasional cross functional work with the EMAC department.
6. Assists other utilities and businesses with the maintenance and operation of their high voltage electric protection and control systems for substation and generating facilities.
7. Assists in maintenance and repair of GMP's wind turbines and associated equipment.
8. Conducts infrared inspections on Green Mountain Power and customer equipment.
9. Required to act in a safe and courteous manner conducive to good public relations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

(Minimum education, experience, technical and communication skill levels and licenses/certificates normally required to perform the duties of this position.)

1. Attained, at a minimum, an Associate's degree in Electronics Technology or equivalent.
2. Obtained a passing score on GMP's Relay Technician Class 1 test.
3. Worked as a Relay Technician Class 2 for a minimum of 2 years, or equivalent.
4. Must live within a 35 minute commute of their operating headquarters.
5. Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of protection, control and communication equipment installation and maintenance principles including safety and an understanding of regulatory requirements.
6. Experience or specialized training in electronic equipment maintenance including protective relaying, SCADA, communications, PLC's, and DFR's.
7. Requires FCC General Class License when working on any licensed radio equipment.
8. Demonstrates proficiency in the techniques, procedures and use of equipment, tools and methods employed in the installation, maintenance and repair of protection and control systems.
9. Strong knowledge and understanding of the Company's safety rules and practices, and perform the duties of this job accordingly, including observing and ensuring that employees in the crew(s) are properly following safety rules, practices, and use of protective equipment.
10. Qualified to perform switching and tagging duties for Green Mountain and, if needed, VELCO.
11. Possess valid Drivers' license with a driving record suitable for insurability.
12. Must possess DOT medical card.
13. Advanced computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office applications including, Excel, Word and Outlook.
14. Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills with ability to train other employees.
15. Must have the ability to serve and satisfy internal and external customers and be a strong customer service advocate for the company.
16. This level of knowledge is normally acquired through completion of two-year electronics technology degree and 4-5 years relay technician experience with GMP, or an equivalent in related experience. (5 years)

WORKING CONDITIONS

(Typical working conditions associated with this type of work and environmental hazards, if any, which may be encountered in performing the duties of this position.)

Internal: Work is normally performed in a plant or substation environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is limited. Noise level is occasionally high and includes sounds of turbines, engines and power equipment (tools, etc.). Work involves potential exposure to bodily injury from moving mechanical parts, electric shock and toxic or caustic chemical agents while performing preventive maintenance to building or equipment. Occasionally work is performed in small cramped workspace, at heights up to 75 feet, and around water.

External: Work is routinely performed where there is exposure to outside atmospheric conditions or extreme heat/cold or moisture and exposure to traffic while performing line work functions, telecommunications installation or repair. Work is frequently performed at heights up to 75 feet and on uneven and slippery terrains and occasionally, at heights up to 150 feet for wind turbine. Occasionally work is performed in small cramped workspaces and at heights up to 250 feet on lattice tower structures. Operating and maneuvering vehicles (e.g., 4 wheel drive trucks, snow traversing vehicles, trailers, etc.) in all weather and hazardous conditions throughout the state (e.g., extreme temperatures, snow, ice, steep or narrow unimproved roads, etc.) at all times of the day and night.

Special: Work requires scheduled and unscheduled overtime including responding to emergency calls and/or service restoration purposes. Employees may be on call after hours and on weekends. May also be required to work out of town, staying overnight for a period of time, as the job requires.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

(The physical effort generally associated with this position.)

Work involves standing, walking and kneeling for most of the time, and occasional work at heights up to 250 feet above ground. Work may occasionally include pushing, pulling, lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 80 pounds floor to bench, 50 pounds floor to overhead, and holding 35 pounds extended at shoulder height such as tools and materials overhead. Working conditions, equipment failure and workloads during peak periods may cause increased stress levels.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS/CONTACTS

(Positions, other than supervisor and immediate co-workers, with which incumbent has frequent contact and the reason for contact.)

Internal: Field crews from all departments, Engineering, Accounting, Purchasing, Control Center, Power Production, Fleet, Facilities, IT

External: Customers using GMP services, manufacturers, other utilities, and service engineers.

Supervision of Others: Less experienced members of the crew, persons assisting from other departments.

ACCOUNTABILITY

(Budget/asset amount managed, revenues/profits produced, and/or other financial resource incumbent is accountable for. Also indicates judgment/decision-making level.)

This position is directly responsible for the safe and successful completion of assignments related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of GMP's power plant and substation high voltage electric distribution systems and low voltage control and communication systems.

*Internal posting criteria - if no internal candidates ARE qualified at 1st Class level, 2nd Class candidates will be considered, then 3rd Class, then Apprentice.

About Green Mountain Power

Green Mountain Power serves more than 275,000 residential and business customers in Vermont with electricity that's 100% carbon free and 80% renewable on an annual basis. GMP is partnering with customers to provide solutions that deliver resiliency and affordability while cutting carbon and costs for all. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP was named to Fast Company's 2024 Most Innovative Companies in the World list, the sixth time earning that honor. In 2024, 2023 and 2021 the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation. And, in 2022 GMP was named to TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies for its groundbreaking resiliency work to transform the grid for customers.