Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer (7B.25)

At Bear Valley Electric, we work hard to provide our customers, with superior customer service, and safe, reliable, and quality power. We do it each and every day, safely and with confidence. Bear Valley Electric Service has served the Big Bear Valley since 1929. Today, we provide electric power to approximately 24,750 customers. We serve a resort community with a mix of full-time and part-time residents. These 23,250 residents represent more than 93 percent of our customers. We also serve approximately 1,500 commercial, industrial and public authority customers, including the Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts. Bear Valley Electric Service has implemented a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program, inserted cutting edge technology into all aspects of its business and operations and is aggressively pursuing a greener energy supply portfolio and a sweeping electrification strategy.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES RESIDENCY IN OUR SERVICE AREA Job Description

The Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer will evaluate, analyze and track a variety of regulatory requirements issued by numerous governmental agencies that impact Bear Valley Electric Service, Inc.’s (BVES, Inc.) capital projects and field operations. The Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer’s primary duty is to evaluate and monitor each project from beginning through end and to ensure that all federal, state, county and city regulatory requirements are met and to ensure continued compliance with such regulations. In addition, Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer is responsible for overseeing that the Company and its contractors comply with environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) regulations by developing and implementing EH&S policies and programs, conducting EH&S jobsite assessments, and ensuring compliance with EH&S training requirements.

Job Summary

Performs a variety of Engineering compliance activities including environmental and code compliance / analysis with federal, state and local government agencies. Develops and integrates the BVES, Inc. capital projects long range plan ensuring compliance with current and future regulatory requirements. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring Engineering and Operations are compliant with Cal/OSHA requirements. This position requires a strong understanding of electric utility distribution systems, environmental, health, and safety regulations, code compliance, advance use of spreadsheets, AutoCAD, GIS, and other engineering enterprise systems. The incumbent interfaces with a variety internal departments and levels of management as well as external government agencies on a regular basis; therefore, good communication skills are essential.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

- Manages and ensure BVES, Inc. equipment (electrical components, etc.) are complaint with federal, state and local regulatory requirements (environmental, safety, licensing, testing, etc.).

- Recommends projects to improve reliability and availability of the electrical distribution system.

- Performs standard electrical distribution engineering design and planning activities to include overhead and underground systems and substations.

- Performs work site surveillance to ensure compliance with work order and/or contract specifications. Audits completed work orders to ensure work is accurately documented and that the work performed is compliant with specifications.

- Performs internal audits on compliance with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) mandated General Orders (GO) 95 and 165.

- Reviews work orders to ensure compliance with electrical engineering design standards.

- Interfaces with and represents BVES, Inc. with applicable federal, state and local agencies regarding compliance issues.

- Establish and execute effective programs to evaluate each project from beginning to end and to ensure that all federal, state, county and city regulatory requirements are met.

- Manage and ensure successful permitting and compliance with requirements from federal agencies including the US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

- Manage and ensure successful permitting and compliance with requirements from state and local government agencies including California Department of Fish and Game, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH, also known as Cal/OSHA), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the State Water Resource Control Board, the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

- Manage California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process when required for projects.

- Represents BVES, Inc. at industry related events and conferences.

- Manages schedules and reviews designs prepared by outside contractors to ensure compliance with company standards, safety orders, and governmental regulations

- Acts in a lead capacity to plan, design, cost estimate, coordinate, and manage, modifications and or additions to company electrical facilities, including financial responsibility of project from onset through completion

- Develops and implements EH&S programs. This includes creating, updating, and maintaining EH&S policies, procedures, and programs to meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices

- Develops, executes, and documents BVES’s EH&S training plan delivering safety training to employees on topics such as hazard recognition, emergency procedures, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensures compliance with Cal/OSHA and other regulatory training requirements. Coordinates with the Learning Management System administrator to document EH&S training

- Remains current on relevant EH&S regulations and ensuring BVES adheres to all applicable EH&S laws and standards. Ensures regulatory compliance with Cal/OSHA, applicable CPUC and OEIS requirements, and local ordinances.

- Maintains accurate records and documentation of inspections, audits, training, incidents, and other EHS-related activities

- Timely and professional correspondence with BVES, Inc. customers, stakeholders, and vendors.

- Ability to effectively manage several concurrent projects that vary in complexity and priority.

- Performs other duties as assigned

Required Skills & Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (preferred), Civil Engineering, or closely related field.

- Professional Engineer’s (PE) license in the California is strongly desired. Note, that if the applicant does not have a PE in California, the applicant will be required to obtain a California PE license within 24 months of employment at BVES, Inc. in this position.

- Experience in environmental, health, and safety programs and regulations preferred

- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in engineering or technical field

- Strong experience with overhead and underground distribution and substation design. Knowledge of SCADA and automated grid systems are highly desirable

- Excellent knowledge and strong experience in working in a highly regulated environment and working with a large number of agencies such as: US Forest Service, US Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH, also known as Cal/OSHA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Department of Transportation (DOT), State Water Resource Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)

- Experience with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process

- Experience and working knowledge of CPUC General Orders 95, 128, 165 and 174

- Excellent interpersonal skills

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Excellent computer software use skills including Word, Excel, Adobe, AutoCAD, and GIS

- Collaborative/Team oriented

- Organized with strong attention to detail and time management skills

- High degree of initiative; self-starter

Qualities Of a Successful Electrical Distribution Systems Engineer

- Trustworthy; strong personal integrity

- Demonstrates strong levels of accountability and ownership

- Strong written and verbal communication skills

- Solid presentation skills

- Collaborative/Team oriented

- Exhibits professionalism with internal and external contacts

- Organized with strong attention to detail and time management skills

- High degree of initiative; self-starter

- Strong teambuilding skills.

May include but not limited to standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping and crouching, sitting, typing, walking, reading, writing, color determination, speaking and listening for extended periods of time.

Benefits

Our Company supports our employees with rich benefit programs and resources to help them thrive today and prepare for tomorrow. Benefit options include medical, dental, and vision plans with the Company currently paying 85% of the monthly premium for employees and their eligible dependents. We also offer paid vacation and sick time and twelve Company paid holidays per year. To help our employees plan for the future, we offer both a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a Defined Contribution Profit Sharing retirement plan. Additional benefits include life, AD&D, and LTD insurance as well as health savings account and flexible spending plans.

Compensation Information

The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws. Multiple factors are used to determine the actual starting rate of pay for all of our positions, including specific skills, years of experience, education, certification(s), and other job related factors.

The responsibilities of this position will involve access to information that may be considered confidential, private and sensitive. Therefore, the individual filling this position will be required to both allow and pass a background check.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.