Relay Technician

Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Johnson City (TX); On-site; USD 62,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc. is seeking a Relay Technician in Johnson City, TX to maintain, test, and repair protective devices for the PEC Distribution System.

The role requires working with multiple departments to ensure reliable energy delivery and system integrity. The position involves testing, troubleshooting, and setting protective relays, operating up to 35 kV equipment, and providing field engineering support.

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• Test, commission, and troubleshoot protective relay schemes for distribution circuits, including transformer paralleling schemes and protection schemes.
• Maintain protective relay and control equipment, checking insulation, ratios, winding resistance, polarity and excitation characteristics.
• Operate, commission, and test low to 35 kV equipment (transformers, regulators, capacitors, switchgear, reclosers).
• Provide field engineering support and training to journeyworkers and other departments.
• Enter test results and maintain up-to-date records.
• Perform 24/7 call-duty and respond to outages; coordinate with departments; work safely.

Skills

Electrical knowledge

Safety practices

Technical reading

Communication

Time management

Education

Associate's Degree in a related field

Tools

UF meter

Hi-pot tester

Meg-Ohm tester

DLRO

Job description

Physical Office Location

PEC Haley Road Offices - 302 Haley Road, Johnson City, TX 78636

Pay

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

Midpoint of pay range: $56.44

Position Summary

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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• 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)**

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 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

Position Open Until Filled

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.