Substation Technician 3

Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 63,107 - 78,881; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KPI Bonuses

Competitive Benefits

Job summary

A regional electric cooperative in Texas is hiring for a Substation Technician role responsible for 24/7 system operations, maintenance, and inspections of electrical equipment. The position requires daily travel and offers a competitive pay structure starting at $45.81 per hour, alongside KPI bonuses and benefits. Candidates should have relevant experience and an Associate's Degree in Electrical Power and Controls. This role includes a focus on safety, technical capabilities, and compliance with standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic electricity and safety procedures.
• Ability to operate PEC vehicles and maintain driver eligibility.
• Two years of experience as a Substation Technician II or similar.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance and inspection on substation equipment.
• Provide expert technical support for substation projects.
• Commission new substations and perform necessary tests.

Skills

Knowledge of substation protection schemes

Skilled in the use of electrical testing equipment

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to analyze and resolve conflicts

Skilled in time management

Education

Associate's Degree in Electrical Power and Controls

Two years of Substation Technician II or equivalent experience

Tools

DOBLE 6150

DOBLE M4000

MEGGER

Job description

Physical Office Location

Position requires daily travel throughout PEC service area and weekly reporting to Johnson City Substation Maintenance department.

Pay and Benefits

$45.81 Minimum Starting Base Pay* + KPI Bonuses + Competitive Benefits
Hourly Range $45.81 - $57.26 midpoint
*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.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for 24/7 system operations including the calibration, commissioning, inspection, maintenance and repair of transmission and distribution equipment and protective relays, switches, apparatus and Power Line Carrier (PLC) communication systems associated with the transmission grid, distribution infrastructure and capital improvement projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance and inspection on substation equipment by following a time based maintenance program according to the Cooperative's Substation Equipment Maintenance Standards Plan, manufacturer recommendations and NERC compliance
• Perform monthly inspection of substation facilities and equipment, maintain records in PEC's maintenance tracking software
• Execute formal switching orders inside substations as issued by the PEC Transmission COntrol Center (TCC) to manipulate power flow on the high voltage transmission grid or to isolate transmission equipment
• Write and execute formal switching orders inside substations to manipulate power flow on the medium voltage distribution grid or to isolate distribution equipment
• Install mobile substations for substation construction projects, routine maintenance of substation power transformers or emergency power restoration Perform technical testing of substation equipment using specific test sets including TTR, contact resistance, oil dielectric tests, transformer power factor (Doble) testing, winding resistance, sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA), digital protective relay verification, electromechanical relay calibration, hi-pot, and phasing
• Test and inspect substation battery banks and chargers by testing strap impedance, cell voltage, cell impedance, specific gravity, temperature, charging current, and bank voltage
• Locate and repair DC grounds within substation control systems
• Perform speed tests, mechanical, and electrical inspection on substation 138KV SF6 gas circuit switchers
• Perform operating mechanism inspection, motion analysis, contact resistance, gas purity tests, and repair of 138KV SF6 gas breakers
• Perform operating mechanism inspection, internal inspection, motion analysis, power factor, contact resistance, and repair of 69/138KV oil breakers
• Extract oil samples from energized substation equipment for dissolved gas analysis (DGA) and fluid quality testing, review and interpret lab results
• Perform internal inspection and repair according to manufacture specification on a verity of substation power transformer load tap changers (LTC's), models include RMV II, UVT, UVW, UZD, UZDRT, UZERT, UTT-B, TLS, TC525, LRT200, & 550H
• Perform Infrared thermography inspections of substations
• Repair hot spots on substation switches and connections identified thru infrared thermography inspections
• Perform Partial Discharge surveys on various energized substation equipment
• Provide expert technical support for substation capital improvement projects (CIP) by installing temporary equipment, performing load transfers, complex high voltage switching, and isolation of high voltage equipment
• Commission new substations or newly upgraded substations. Energize new substation equipment and perform all tests and electrical checks to ensure reliable operation
• Verify wiring diagrams and electrical control schematics during substation commissioning projects making corrections and design changes to ensure proper operation of all equipment and control circuits
• Program Schweitzer electronic protective relays and function test protection schemes by trip checking all new substation equipment
• Write logic scripts used as test plans for SEL digital protective relay tests
• Program, test, and commission programmable logic controllers (PLC's) for protection circuits in substations (SEL relays)
• Perform end‑to‑end testing of PEC's transmission carrier and fiber communication systems for reliable operation of the high voltage transmission grid
• Analyze test results on equipment and recommend practical, cost‑effective solutions for equipment performance and repair.
• Follow work procedures and company policies
• Carry out operating procedures
• Perform emergency Call‑Out duty for all substation issues and respond to substation power outages Record data on appropriate test reports to maintain NERC, FERC and TRE compliance
• Coordinate activities with other departments
• Operate PEC vehicle(s) for business purposes in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and 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 using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data or processing information
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service
• Knowledge of substation protection schemes including Bus & Transformer Differential, Breaker Failure, Cable Fault, and Zone Protection schemes
• Knowledge of basic electricity, safety rules and procedures as well as the hazards involved in working around energized lines and equipment involving high and low voltage
• Knowledge of substation communication SCADA, relaying, monitoring and control systems
• Knowledge of reviewing and interpreting wiring diagrams and electrical control schematics for relay applications
• Knowledge of learned principles of electrical theory as applied to power transformers and autotransformers, relays, SCADA and TWACS systems, etc.
• Knowledge of reading manuals and interpreting diagrams
• Skilled in the use of electrical testing equipment including DOBLE 6150, DOBLE M4000, MEGGER, Hi‑Pot, CT test set, phasing sticks, oil dielectric, contact resistance, and sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA)
• Skilled in time management
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Ability to use computer systems and applications
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems

Minimum Qualifications – (Education, Experience)

• Associate's Degree in Electrical Power and Controls, Electronics Technology or related field
• Directly related experience may substitute for education
• Two years of Substation Technician II or equivalent experience
• Valid Texas Driver's License 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 100 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• The employee will routinely utilize Personal Protective Equipment
• The employee will participate in emergency restoration and call‑out duty
• The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions including wet and 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.

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.