Relay Technician

Mypec; Johnson City (TX); On-site; USD 94,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedernales Electric Cooperative seeks a Relay Technician to maintain and test protective relay systems and distribution equipment. You will perform testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting, while coordinating with multiple departments to ensure power system reliability.

A CDL and 5 years of related experience are required. Responsibilities include field engineering support, record-keeping, and 24/7 on-call duties, with safety as a core priority.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in a related field.
• Five years of related experience required.
• Valid Texas Class A CDL and clean Motor Vehicle Report.
• Ability to read/write technical instructions.
• Ability to work 24/7 call duty.
• Proficiency in protective relay testing and field commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Performs tests, commissions, and troubleshoots protective relay schemes for distribution circuits.
• Operates, tests, and maintains high/medium voltage equipment 120V to 35kV.
• Provides field engineering support and training to journeyworkers.
• Maintains test forms and records test results.
• Coordinates with departments to minimize disruption and ensure safety.
• Responds to outages and abnormal conditions on a 24/7 basis.

Skills

Strategic planning

Resource allocation

Leadership

Budgeting

Computer systems

Relay programming

DNP for remote equipment

Technical reading/writing

Communication

Problem solving

Color vision

Education

Associate’s Degree in a related field

Tools

uF meter

Hi-pot tester

Meg-Ohm tester

Turns Ratio tester

DLRO

FLIR

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

PHYSICAL OFFICE LOCATION:PEC Haley Road Offices - 302 Haley Road, Johnson City, TX 78636

$45.15Minimum Starting Base Pay* + KPI Bonuses + Competitive Benefits

Midpoint of pay range: $56.44

*Qualifications may warrant greater starting base pay within the full pay range. Individual base pay is determined by experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training.

Relay Technician maintains the integrity and reliability of the PEC Distribution System by maintaining, testing, and repairing protective devices that monitor the power system 24 hours a day. The Relay Technician works with and coordinates with many different departments to ensure all components in the power system work with each other to provide PEC with the necessary infrastructure to provide reliable energy.

• Performs tests, commissions, and troubleshoots Protective Relay Schemes for Distribution circuits to include but not limited to transformer paralleling schemes, power line carrier equipment, line, transformer and bus differential protection, over-current, under frequency, synchronous, generation, and motor protection.
• Performs tests and maintains all new and existing protective relay and control equipment current transformers to include the condition of the primary and secondary insulation, ratio, winding resistance, polarity, phase deviation, and excitation characteristic.
• Operates, commissions, and tests low and medium voltage electrical equipment from 120V to 35kV systems to include but not limited to transformers, voltage regulators, capacitors, switchgears, reclosers, and switches.
• Provide field engineering support and training to journeyworkers and other departments in the wiring and commissioning of the distribution equipment, protective relaying, and control systems.
• Completes test forms and enter test results to keep records up to date.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, and makes technical recommendations to electricians and area leadership of electrical and relay failures 24/7.
• Implement setting changes to electro-mechanical, solid state, and microprocessor relays.

• Reviews, updates, and maintains all electrical schematic drawings to include A.C., D.C., wiring diagrams, interconnect drawings, etc. and determine whether they are consistent with PEC design philosophy and make corrections in the field with minimum supervision.
• Recommends engineering design changes of manufacturers equipment and implement once approved.
• Provides analysis of the operation of the PEC electrical system after a major disturbance and provide recommendations regarding the proper operation of the electrical system.
• Repairs various items such as electromechanical relay components and electronic circuit boards as well as other similar items.
• Coordinates (synchronize efforts) between other departments to ensure that jobs are completed with the least amount of disruption to members of the electric system and that jobs are completed in a safe and timely fashion.
• Perform 24-7 Call-Duty on a rotational basis to determine equipment condition during outages and to respond to abnormal system conditions.
• Perform all tasks in inclement weather and around medium voltage environments.
• Operate PEC vehicle(s) for business purposes in accordance with applicable Federal, State, local law and PEC policies and procedures.
• Maintain driver eligibility through appropriate valid Texas Driver's License and driving record in accordance with PEC policy.

• Maintain the security of confidential information
• Stay abreast of advances in technology
• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned

Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities

May provide technical direction to others.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of business and management principles including strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques and budgeting
• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, programming relay elements, programming DNP for remote operated equipment, entering data or processing inspection information
• Knowledge of principles of electricity, safety practices and codes
• Knowledge of electric power industry construction, regulatory and switching standards
• Knowledge of testing equipment including uF meter, RND meter, Hi-pot, Meg-Ohm, Turns Ratio, DLRO (Ductor), Primary Current Injection and FLIR
• Skilled in handling difficult or complex problems and in resolving complaints or disputes
• Skilled in establishing and communicating metrics
• Skilled in time management
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Skilled in anticipating, identifying, analyzing and resolving conflict and problems
• Ability to read, write, and understand technical instructions
• Ability to distinguish colors to identify electronics components and wiring.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing

Minimum Qualifications - (Education, Experience)

• Associate’s Degree in a related field
• Directly related experience may substitute for education
• Five years of directly related experience
• Valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and Motor Vehicle Report that comply with PEC policy

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 50 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• The employee must be available for call out duty
• The employee will routinely utilize Personal Protective Equipment
• The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions including wet and/or humid conditions
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud
• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period
• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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