Planning Engineer

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)! NOVEC's mission is to create value for its members, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable electricity and quality products at competitive prices.

NOVEC is a locally owned electric distribution system headquartered in Manassas, VA. NOVEC provides reliable electric service to more than 180,000 homes and businesses in Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. NOVEC's service reliability is the best in the region with a 99.99% average system reliability.

As a leader on the high-tech frontier, NOVEC is using proven, cost-effective technology to improve productivity and reliability, reduce expenses, and increase cybersecurity – a national priority. Today’s technology includes what the industry calls "smart grid", as well as fiber optics, and mobile workforce.

We are seeking an experienced Planning Engineer to join the System Engineering team at our office in Gainesville, Virginia!

The selected candidate will be eligible to work a hybrid work schedule after successfully completing an on-site introductory period (typically 6 months).

Relocation assistance is available for the successful eligible candidate.

NOVEC is unable to provide work authorization or sponsorship for this position.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE:

Performs prudent planning, engineering, operational and economical studies and develops reliable and cost-effective solutions to design, construct and safely operate the electrical system. Develops technical standards, specifications, guidelines, and business processes for use by other departments and acts as a resource for technical advice. Assists in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of the department in analyzing and proposing system improvements and new facilities. The Senior Engineer is expected to independently take initiative in identifying and developing solutions to address system constraints or areas for improvement with minimal direction from their Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Issues well-justified recommendations for the annual capital budget to meet compliance, capacity, or reliability requirements. Utilizes engineering analysis software tools, models, and databases to identify needed projects and support project justification.

Develops Short Range and Long Range Plans for the electrical system including substations, transmission and distribution construction, and improvement projects.

Independently designs electrical layout and interconnections for data centers, large commercial customers, and new subdivisions.

Determines system protection requirements and limitations by independently performing coordination studies, voltage drop studies, and fault current studies and issues recommendations to improve and optimize electrical system performance. Develop new protective device settings to improve protective device coordination.

Develops technical standards and guidelines for internal and external use.

Designs electrical layout and interconnections for data centers, large commercial customers, and new subdivisions with minimal oversight. Reviews construction work orders to ensure adherence to short-range work plans, specifications, NOVEC policies, guidelines, and procedures, and determines over-current and over-voltage protection requirements.

Facilitates planning activities with management, principal engineers, developers, and government agencies to ensure that ultimate anticipated load growth development coincides with proposed system improvements.

Review outage data and determine appropriate system improvements. Determine outage trends and develop programs to correct significant outage causes.

Reviews the accuracy of the system maps and data in the Geographic Information System (GIS) and CYME engineering model for use within the organization.

Provide guidance to less experienced engineers and provide technical expertise and team leadership daily.

Interprets industry standards and regulations and provides technical support for regulatory compliance efforts.

Follows all Cooperative, OSHA, and VOSHA Safety Rules and Cooperative human resources practices, policies, and procedures.

Works continually towards self-development to maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices, and participating in professional societies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The ideal candidate meets the below qualifications. Candidates with directly related experience who may not meet all of the criteria below are also welcome to apply.

The selected candidate will be placed into the appropriate level position (Engineer II, III, IV) based on education, experience, certifications, and licensure.

Three (3) years of related experience.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field is required. A Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.

NCEES EIT certification or Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.

Electric utility experience is preferred. Substation experience is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated ability to function independently in a multi-task environment, as well as part of a team.

Demonstrated knowledge of all company policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and mathematical skills.

Demonstrated proficiency with general computer operation and Microsoft Office applications.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with all levels within the organization.

Demonstrated ability to anticipate and meet rapidly changing customer and business needs by quickly refocusing and realigning strategic and operational direction.

Demonstrated knowledge of Power Engineering and Planning concepts, industry standards, and utility practices.

Demonstrated experience in developing and monitoring capital and operational budgets.

Demonstrated ability to learn electrical distribution, transmission, and substation facilities design and specifications.

Demonstrated ability to reason analytically and relate theoretical concepts to practical applications.

Demonstrated ability to apply prudent problem solving and decision-making techniques and project management skills.

Demonstrated ability to review, interpret and analyze maps, plans, drawings, data, and field information.

WHAT WE OFFER:

- Competitive pay

- Premier health benefits, including an onsite wellness center

- Survivor and Disability benefits

- 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% base salary match and an additional match of your contribution at a rate of 50% up to the first 12%

- Life insurance

- Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave

- Educational Assistance

- Annual Company Events

NOVEC is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this position.