Transmission Substation Technician (Learner or Tech I)

Duke Energy; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a Substation Technician Learner to assist under higher-level technicians in maintenance and construction of substations. The role emphasizes developing technical and leadership skills, with potential to lead small projects and work more independently over time.

The position requires safety adherence, ability to read prints, and knowledge of substation equipment and testing processes. Travel within North/South Carolina is expected.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required for Learner; same for Technician I.
• Minimum 1 year of transmission or distribution substation maintenance or construction experience or equivalent.
• Preferred: Associates Degree in Engineering Technology; CDL Class A.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to mentor others; strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understanding of company safety rules and work practices.
• Demonstrate ability to safely lead small jobs and work independently.
• Organize construction and maintenance work and create implementation plans.
• Read prints and determine isolation of protection circuits safely.
• Operate equipment such as bucket trucks and derrick trucks; perform infrared scanning.
• Respond to call outs and collaborate with teams.
• Complete switching and tagging on Transmission and Distribution systems.
• Understand substation equipment testing and regulatory compliance (NERC/SERC).

Skills

Safety awareness

Leadership

Reading prints

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma/GED (Learner)

High School Diploma/GED (Technician I)

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Job Summary

A Substation Technician Learner will assist a higher-level technician in activities associated substation construction and maintenance. Incumbents are expected to develop intermediate skills and the ability to work with greater independence. A Substation Technician I will assist a higher level technician and sometime safely lead a lower level technician in activities associated with substation construction and maintenance activities. Incumbents are expected to develop complex technical and leadership skills and the ability to work independently and lead small activities with low to moderate levels of complexity.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a complete understanding of company safety rules and work practices
• Demonstrate a complete understanding of Human Performance practices
• Exhibits the capacity to safely lead small jobs and work independent of direct leadership
• Complete understanding of the processes needed to organize construction and maintenance work and create over all implementation/maintenance plans
• Total understanding of reading prints and determine how to isolate protection circuits without jeopardizing critical equipment
• Total understanding of the processes needed to methodically/logically organize substation work activities
• Total understanding of the processes needed to operate bucket, digger derrick truck, and other areal devices
• Ability to respond to all call outs
• Total understanding limitations, never assumes, and will STOP to seek help
• Experience leading complex maintenance or construction projects
• Total understanding of the processes needed to power factor, winding resistance, circuit breaker timing, and leakage reactance testing also interpret results
• Total understanding of the processes needed to install portable/mobile substations/transformers or other temporary equipment
• Total understanding of the processes needed to perform infrared scanning substation equipment
• Total understanding of AC and DC circuit principles
• Total understanding of regulatory compliance and the importance for accurate data and timely completion of assigned work
• Adheres to Duke policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements (NERC and/or SERC), properly and accurately documents test results with a timely completion
• Total understanding of substation equipment isolation and clearances and grounding practices
• Has the experience to complete the requirements for Switching and Tagging on both the Transmission and Distribution systems
• Total understanding of the processes needed to complete maintenance/construction activities on all substation equipment including but not limited to switches, circuit breakers, transformers, regulators, PT's, CT's, CCVT's and grounding systems
• Superior understanding of pneumatics and hydraulics systems
• Demonstrates superior verbal and written communications skills

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Transmission Substation Technician Learner High School diploma/GED
• Transmission Substation Technician I High School Diploma/GED
• Minimum 1 year of Transmission or Distribution substation maintenance or construction experience or equivalent job-related and educational experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates Degree in Engineering Technology
• Commercial Drivers License (Class A CDL)
• Advanced technical and professional knowledge, skills and performance. frequently leads others
• Develops positive working relationships to effectively coordinate work activities with internal and external customers
• Supports the company's goals and represents the company positively and professionally
• Provides coaches and mentors other Technicians
• Provides high level of leadership and sets a positive example for others to follow
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ongoing leadership skills development
• Software skills including word process, email, spreadsheets etc.

Working Conditions

Demonstrated availability for after- hour’s work and call out rotation Ability to work in a diverse environment with individuals from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds Must be capable of working on elevated work surfaces This position is based out in North and South Carolina Field Mobility Classification - Work location is highly mobile, working at various facilities or field locations with occasional onsite meetings after the onboarding period. Employee must live within a reasonable commute to the posted reporting location, not greater than 50 miles one way.

Specific Requirements

• Must pass appropriate level of Duke aptitude test
• Must have a valid State Driver’s License
• Ability to obtain a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the state for which you are hire within one year of hire.
• DOT Physical
• DOT Certification
• Ability to pass any required back ground check for NERC/CIP/Nuclear compliance
• Demonstrated ability to pass panel review by meeting or exceeding requirements for step progression
• Ability to stand a minimum of 5-6 hours; may be on ground, in a bucket on a line truck, or at the top of a distribution pole
• Ability to sit for a minimum of 2-3 hours; may be driving a truck or sitting in a manhole or an underground vault
• Ability to move frequently to unload equipment and to install/maintain/repair equipment
• Ability to lift, push and pull up to 75 pounds
• Ability to frequently climb or use authorized equipment to reach various heights and breadths
• Ability to frequently and repetitively bend/stoop/squat
• Ability to differentiate between colors (color vision)
• Manual dexterity to operate small hand tools, turn small knobs, etc.
• This position contains a weight restriction of 275 pounds as an essential function of the job. The purpose of this restriction is to ensure that all weight-rated equipment is used in an appropriate and safe manner within maximum allowed weight loading.

Travel Requirements

Travel Requirements 15-25%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No Represented/Union Position

No Represented/Union Position

No Visa Sponsored Position

No Visa Sponsored Position

This is not a Visa Sponsored Position

This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Read about our commitment to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. About Duke Energy Terms of Use Brighter opportunities. Brighter futures. Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential.

Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.