AMI Technician

Summary:

Provide installation, maintenance, and comprehensive support for the Cooperative’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).

Objectives:

· Promote and adhere to A & N Electric Cooperative (ANEC) safety and operating rules, procedures, and guidelines.

· Work with material, equipment, and facilities employed and used in operating, maintaining, and constructing the AMI of the Cooperative so as to provide effective and continuous service at the lowest possible cost to the members of the Cooperative in a safe and efficient manner.

· Perform all work duties and maintain knowledge and skill levels to meet or exceed current industry and regulatory standards and best practices.

· Install, operate, and maintain the Cooperative's AMI apparatus including but not necessarily limited to meters, instrument transformers (ITs) including but not limited to PTs/CT/VTs, relays, disconnects, routers & collectors and communication equipment, effectively and efficiently, ensuring the meter programs are reporting accurate data.

· Ensure contract companies perform their work in a safe and efficient manner according to contract agreements.

· Conduct self in such a way as to promote and create goodwill toward the Cooperative & its members.

· Work as a team member within the workgroup to achieve the goals, objectives, and work plan of the department, representing Member Services’ viewpoint as required on teams.

Reporting Relationships:

· Reports to: AMI Data Leader

· Supervises: None

Duties and Responsibilities:

Health, Safety and Environment

· Personally agree to adhere to and abide by the Cooperative’s safety rules, safety policies, and safety procedures.

· Maintain and utilize all required personal safety gear and devices per standard operating procedures, Cooperative safety rules, and industry safety best practices.

· Employ industry accepted housekeeping practices at all work locations including vehicles and material storage and warehouse areas.

· Must be trained in the proper and safe use of a bucket truck in order to reach/operate/maintain AMI equipment located within the communication space on utility poles. This position shall not be qualified to work on medium/high voltage and shall not enter the high voltage space or within arm’s reach of the high voltage space.

· Assist facilities and safety/environmental departments with safe handling, storage, and disposal of meter department related materials and equipment.

Field and Site Work Requirements

· Perform all field work to meet current Cooperative, ANSI, VA-SCC, and all other applicable industry standards, best practices, and code requirements.

· Install, exchange, remove, and/or retire AMI system equipment including but not limited to meters, ITs, routers, collectors, and gateways as required.

· Perform field troubleshooting, routine and unscheduled maintenance, repairs, and commissioning on AMI and support equipment.

· Perform field inspections and testing as required by meter shop SOPs, Cooperative, State Corporation Commission, ANSI standards, and other applicable regulatory or industry standards.

· Perform a variety of test procedures with three phase self-contained and CT rated meters, including their cleaning, testing, and calibration.

· Perform troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and testing of single-phase and poly-phase electric meters, including transformer rated installations, and calibrate same.

· Perform the installation, wiring and verification of single-phase and poly-phase electric meters, including transformer rated installations, and calibrate same.

· Perform the installation, wiring and verification of single-phase and poly-phase electric metering devices in the field.

· Acquire manual meter reads as necessary and directed by the AMI Data Leader or authorized delegate.

· Install and commission metering cabinets and associated metering hardware.

· Maintain knowledge and skill in the proper application and use of field tools, devices, and test equipment as needed to perform field tasks safely, efficiently, and to a quality meeting current industry standards.

· As a field representative for the Cooperative, present a professional, courteous, and helpful manner and act as an informed resource for Cooperative members and the general community.

Command Center, Meter Programming, and AMI Network Requirements

· Collaborate with AMI Data Leader on operating, maintaining, and upgrading the network system.

· Under the direction of the AMI Data Leader, make any necessary program updates, changes, or revisions to AMI equipment.

· Use Landis & Gyr’s Command Center daily to identify problems and required updates including but not limited to installing firmware, rebooting system equipment, downloading DCW’s, ensuring system equipment is communicating properly.

· Develop, maintain, and report on daily, weekly, monthly, and annual performance indicators under the direction of the AMI Data Leader.

· Utilize and assist other departments with access to and evaluation of other AMI/Command Center data including but not limited to voltage, amperage, phase angle to identify malfunctioning services or metering systems.

· Program, re-program, test and download software into meters, collectors/gateways, and routers. Be proficient in supplemental in-house software utilization. Identify and communicate potential value-added opportunities that may be provided by the AMI network.

Meter Shop and In-House Requirements

· Perform all meter shop and in-house tasks to meet current Cooperative, ANSI, VA-SCC, and all other applicable industry standards, best practices, and code requirements.

· Perform a variety of test procedures with three phase self-contained and CT rated meters, including their cleaning, testing, and calibration.

· Perform troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and testing of single-phase and poly-phase electric meters, including transformer rated installations, and calibrate same.

· Operate meter test equipment for approved use in testing meters and associated equipment.

· Operate CT/PT test equipment for approved use in testing CT/PT’s.

· Assist in developing, maintaining, and expanding written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all metering, network, and support tasks in conjunction with field experience, manufacturer’s recommendations, and industry best practices.

· Maintain and continuously improve preventative maintenance plan for AMI.

· Coordinate the maintenance of records of installations, repairs, and tests on AMI apparatus and communication equipment.

· Develop, maintain, prepare, and submit accurate historical records and reports for electric meters and AMI equipment performance as required and on a timely basis under the direction of the AMI Data Leader.

· Keep AMI Data Leader informed of daily operations, problems, special projects, and make recommendations for improvements.

· Perform in-house troubleshooting, routine and unscheduled maintenance, repairs, and commissioning on AMI and support equipment.

· Perform in-house inspections and testing, including scheduled compliance testing, as required by meter shop SOPs, Cooperative, State Corporation Commission, ANSI, and other applicable regulatory or industry standards.

· Layout, construct, and pre-commission metering cabinets and other associated metering equipment and panels.

· Maintain knowledge and skill in the proper application and use of in-house tools, devices, test equipment, and related software as needed to perform field tasks safely, efficiently, and to a quality meeting current industry standards.

Equipment/Materials/Tools Supply and Inventory Requirements

· Provide recommendations of any needed corrective action for tools, testing equipment, and AMI.

· Responsible for all tools and equipment assigned, to include maintaining truck stock and meter workshop per Cooperative standards.

· Check tools and equipment periodically to determine that they meet use requirements and safety standards.

· Develop, maintain, and revise written inventory standard operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary.

· Coordinate with AMI Data Leader to identify and maintain adequate levels of AMI equipment/materials including but not limited to all meter forms, Its, routers, collector/gateways, meter cabinets, meter bases, etc. in inventory.

· Responsible for maintaining and stocking the meter warehouse, assuring no delays are experienced by personnel in need of supplies.

· Input data and maintain the PowerTrack inventory database providing an accurate record of the status of all AMI meters and devices.

· Schedule and perform routine inventory counts and reconcile any discrepancies with PowerTrack reporting.

· Assist in the annual meter and IT physical inventory and reconciliation.

Skills, Knowledge, and Development Responsibilities

· Assists with on-the-job training for other employees, as directed.

· Attend training sessions and seminars necessary to maintain proficiency, successfully completing any required testing.

· Mentor (buddy system) new employees to ensure the position responsibilities are effectively carried out and understood.

· Develop a working knowledge of both single-phase and poly-phase electronic meters to maintain an adequate supply.

· Develop a working knowledge of wiring, testing, and maintenance of both single-phase and poly-phase meters.

· Acquire a working knowledge of basic metering formulas, schematics and wiring diagrams for single-phase and poly-phase watt hour meters and their application.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Relationships:

Establishes and maintains the following contacts and relationships for the purpose of coordination and communication:

· AMI Data Leader: Consult with, accept direction from, obtain necessary approvals, give and receive information, and obtain guidance.

· Other Employees: Inform concerning any information received by personal contact or telephone and cooperate within, maintaining good working relationships that will benefit the organization.

· Members: Respond to individual member inquiries, resolve member concerns and complaints, and ensure member needs are met.

· General Public: Answer inquiries and direct to proper Cooperative employee for assistance.

Specifications and Requirements:

Foremost among the many requirements of this job is to provide professional and courteous service to our members. Honesty, a professional attitude and manner, and a positive outlook are necessary to provide the service our members deserve and expect.

In order to maintain and promptly render professional service to our members, it is imperative that all records and transactions generated by this position be both highly accurate and timely in their rendition.

· High school diploma or equivalent required. Previous related job experience or additional education is desired, specifically technical training in basic electricity and electric apparatus testing, with strong mathematics and mechanical aptitude.

· Entry level with on-the-job experience in combination with a training program determined by the Cooperative to develop necessary skills within one (1) year and proficiency within five (5) years.

· Become proficient in the use of the cooperative’s in-house data processing systems in assigned areas.

· Knowledge of meter testing equipment, types of single-phase and three-phase meters; installation of meters and associated equipment; and developing written reports.

· Obtain knowledge of wiring and connections of self-contained meters.

· Understand how to record voltage and amperage.

· Possess basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office products, including but not limited to, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as required by job responsibilities.

· Understand Cooperative system maps, staking sheets, and other work order procedures required of this job.

· Possess a working knowledge of Cooperative safety rules.

· Effective knowledge of Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Cooperative construction specifications, and National Electric Safety Code requirements pertaining to line construction and substations.

· Remain current on all Cooperative operating policies.

· Become effective in all apparatus installation, maintenance, and testing programs.

· Ability to climb ladders.

· Possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

· Operate a bucket truck and work within the communication space on a utility pole.

· Considerable skills in effectively dealing with a variety of people under different and sometimes difficult circumstances.

· Good written and oral communication skills and project a professional image.

· Maintain complete confidentiality in the performance of duties and responsibilities of the job.

· Communicate with and develop good working relationships with fellow employees.

· Ability to perform hard physical labor when necessary, including lifting and carrying up to seventy-five (75) pounds.

· Exposure to energized apparatus and other distribution infrastructure.

Working Conditions:

· Working hours will be scheduled with the Cooperative’s hours of operation. Extra hours may be required occasionally due to workload, special projects, and training. Must be available to work all hours during emergency conditions. Daily schedule of work may be varied. Occasional overnight travel may be required to attend professional development seminars and certification training.

· Usual meter shop conditions with fieldwork required.

· Wear Personal Protective Equipment such as safety-toed shoes/boots, safety glasses, flame-retardant clothing, rubber gloves and sleeves as required.

· Travel to various locations throughout the Cooperative’s service area to complete work assignments, with considerable time being spent within the meter workshop.

· Willing and able to work in all weather conditions.

· Subject to Cooperative’s on-call schedule.

The word “proficient” shall be defined as the ability to perform the work assigned in a reasonable amount of time as established by the Cooperative, with professional quality and a minimum of errors.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of personnel so classified.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $25.96 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

Work Location: In person