Distribution & Standards Engineer III-V, Power Delivery

Grant PUD; Ephrata (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits available

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Grant PUD is looking for an engineer to develop, maintain, and improve engineering standards for electric system infrastructure. The role involves supporting safe power delivery systems and mentoring junior engineers.
Ideal candidates will have a background in electrical engineering and the ability to interpret technical standards.

The position is hybrid and may require fieldwork. Grant PUD is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 3+ years relevant work experience for Engineer III.
• 6+ years relevant work experience for Engineer IV.
• 10+ years relevant work experience for Engineer V.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain engineering standards for power delivery.
• Conduct research on applicable codes and regulations.
• Review technical documentation and ensure compliance.

Skills

Electric system design principles

Technical writing skills

Problem-solving

Knowledge of NERC standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Category: Engineering

Requisition Number: ENGIN002561

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• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Locations

Showing 1 location

Ephrata Headquarters
30 C St SW
Ephrata, WA 98823, USA

Description

Closing Date to Apply: This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The position may close at any time once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates has been established.

Grant PUD posts the full salary range for each position. The midpoint is provided as a reference point and is not a guaranteed starting pay. Starting pay is based on job-related factors such as qualifications, experience, skills, internal alignment, and organizational needs. Most new hires are typically placed between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Benefits: This link below will provide you with Grant PUD’s benefit that may be available if hired, different employee types are eligible for different benefits.

Grant County PUD will administer a background check as part of the hiring process, if selected for this position.

Applicants meeting minimum qualifications may be further evaluated based on preferred qualifications and job-related criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will be referred for further consideration.

The District may use the applicant pool and results from this recruitment to fill additional vacancies in the same classification for up to six (6) months following the recruitment closing date, consistent with District policy and applicable law.

Position Summary

Be part of a Power Delivery team responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving engineering standards, technical practices, and equipment specifications that support the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of electric system infrastructure. This position supports safe, reliable, compliant, and cost‑effective power delivery systems by enduring standards aligning with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, utility operations, and Grant PUD objectives. Depending on experience, the role may range from supporting standards documentation and technical reviews to leading cross‑functional standards governance, equipment strategy and mentoring junior engineers.

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

General — Applies to All Levels

• Demonstrated commitment to Grant PUD’s mission, vision, values, strategic plan, and Grant PUD / IBEW Local 77 Code of Excellence. The incumbent should be familiar with these organizational priorities and behave in a way that aligns with these expectations.
• Understand and adhere to compliance requirements for this position that may include laws, regulations, security guidelines, and Grant PUD policies and procedures.
• In this position, if needed to operate a GPUD vehicle for business purposes, please refer to the Vehicle/Asset Usage Policy, IS-TA-POL-001.
• Actively participate in all aspects of our safety program, including but not limited to:
  • Following all safety policies and procedures.
  • Alerting supervisors and coworkers to unsafe or hazardous working conditions.
  • Reporting any safety incidents or close calls within 24 hours to your supervisor.
  • Accepting feedback from supervisors and coworkers regarding your own safety performance.
• Support onboarding, mentoring, and training for less experienced team members.
• Perform related duties as required or assigned.

Core Responsibilities — Applies Across Engineering Levels

Depending on level and assignment, incumbents may:

• Develop, revise, implement, update, or establish strategic direction for engineering standards, specifications, design guidelines, and technical practices for transmission, distribution, substations, or generation systems.
• Interpret utility standards and technical requirements for engineering teams, project engineers, construction crews, and internal partner groups.
• Conduct research on applicable codes, regulations, and industry standards, including IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, OSHA, FERC, NERC, CIP, and related Utility Standards, Codes, or Legal Standards.
• Review technical documentation, drawings, construction packages, equipment specifications, materials, components, and design standards for Standards compliance, process improvements, cost savings, reliability, and adherence to company or contract requirements.
• Maintain Standards documentation databases and revision control systems.
• Support or lead capital project teams through design reviews, compliance assessments, equipment specification reviews, drawing reviews, and transition from design to implementation.
• Evaluate new materials, equipment, technologies, product/material performance data, and emerging technical practices to improve standards, reliability, and operational performance.
• Develop technical specification requirements for the procurement of standard equipment and provide technical expertise when material substitutions are required.
• Coordinate with internal departments, manufacturers, vendors, suppliers, sales representatives, regulatory agencies, professional organizations, and external stakeholders.
• Engage in manufacturer/supplier visits, project site visits, industry forums, and events, including IEEE and NWPPA.
• Provide technical expertise, team leadership, training, mentoring, and guidance to crews, engineers, partner groups, and less experienced colleagues.
• Perform independent and/or collaborative research to find innovative and cost‑effective engineering solutions to operational problems.
• Perform work on systems with the highest level of risk to regulatory compliance, as appropriate for level.

Shared Equipment Scope

Equipment includes, but is not limited to:

• T&D Structures and associated equipment, including hardware, insulators, and conductor.
• T&D Line equipment, including distribution transformers, switches, and capacitor banks.
• Substation Breakers, including 13.8kV, 115kV, and 230kV.
• Substation Transformers.
• Control Systems.
• Station Battery Systems, including 48V and 130V.
• Switchgear, substation and distribution equipment, line hardware, and related electric system equipment.

Level Scope

Independently develops, implements, and updates utility engineering standards. Supports technical evaluations of new materials, equipment, and technologies; ensures standards align with federal, state, and local regulations; provides technical guidance regarding Standards applications and interpretation; supports capital project teams through design reviews and compliance assessments; analyzes product/material performance data; develops procurement specification requirements; supports vendor evaluations; and reviews standards for process improvements and cost savings.

Independently develops, implements, and updates utility engineering standards and leads technical evaluations of new materials, equipment, and technologies. Serves as Subject Matter Expert on distribution equipment, leads capital project teams through design reviews and compliance assessments, provides technical expertise and/or team leadership, develops training, performs independent and/or collaborative research, provides material substitutions as necessary, and works on systems with the highest level of risk to regulatory compliance.

Establishes strategic direction for corporate engineering standards programs and leads cross‑functional governance for utility design, construction, and operational standards. Serves as subject matter expert for utility compliance, engineering policy, and technical innovation; drives adoption of emerging technologies, grid modernization, and resilience strategies; represents the company with regulatory agencies, professional organizations, and external stakeholders; oversees standards harmonization across departments and major infrastructure programs; and serves as a management consultant on complex systematic engineering problems and issues.

A fully skilled candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities at the level appropriate to the position:

• Understanding and knowledge of electric system components and their functions, ranging from knowledge at Engineer III to thorough understanding and knowledge at Engineer IV, and subject matter expert at Engineer V.
• Understanding of electric system design principles and practices for major substation equipment, transmission lines, and distribution feeder configurations, ranging from familiar at Engineer III, to strong or thorough understanding at Engineer IV, and expert understanding at Engineer V.
• Ability to read, interpret, and modify technical drawings, one‑line diagrams, substation plan and elevation drawings, and, where applicable, AC & DC schematics.
• Ability to generate, interpret, review, and revise existing/new drawings. Experience with AutoCAD is a plus.
• Planning, organizational, and project management skills, ranging from developing at Engineer III to strong at Engineer IV and Engineer V.
• Self‑motivator who is equally effective working independently or who can work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Ability to process information quickly and effectively manage multiple tasks, as appropriate to level.
• Knowledge related to regulatory requirements that include FERC/NERC Standards, ranging from developing knowledge at Engineer III to vast knowledge at Engineer IV and Engineer V.
• Technical writing skills with the ability to produce clear, detailed documents for material specifications and contracts, including strong technical writing skills at Engineer III, Engineer IV, and Engineer V.

Required Qualifications (Education, Experience, Licenses & Certifications)

• All levels require a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field OR equivalent relevant experience (4 years in lieu of degree)
• Relevant work experience by level:
  • Engineer III: 3+ years
  • Engineer IV: 6+ years
  • Engineer V: 10+ years

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Licenses & Certifications)

• A Washington State Engineering in Training
• Professional Engineer (PE)

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of NERC standards and regulatory compliances
• Knowledge of concepts, principles, theories, and methods surrounding electrical engineering industry standards and best practices (NEC, IEEE, NFPA, etc)
• Ability to perform work in the field and work in construction environments.
• Skill in problem‑solving and thinking critically
• Written and oral interpersonal communication; workflow and time management
• Utilizing MS office products; specialized software, tools, and applications

Physical Requirements

• Position may be eligible for partial hybrid work arrangement: Yes
• Majority of work is performed in a standard office
• Some field work that may require operation of a
• Typical shifts of employees in this position: 8 hours 9 hours 10 hours 12 hours

This statement applies to the Physical Capacity Evaluation (PCE) for a full list of requirements. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.