Protection & Control Technician

Responsibilities

- Substation Protection and Control (P&C)

o Microprocessor and Electromechanical Relay:

- Install, test, and perform scheduled maintenance and calibration as well as necessary emergency repairs to ensure satisfactory performance of relays and related equipment.

- Perform diagnostic troubleshooting and implement correcting measures to ensure satisfactory performance.

- Perform routine and emergency testing of all relays and relay systems necessary to maintain good utility practice as well as NERC-PRC compliance.

- Perform modifications and subsequent testing to ensure P&C systems meet intended design parameters.

- Participate in the P&C effort to commission new substations.

- Install control cables and perform wiring associated with new installations or substation upgrades.

o Operating parameters:

- Test, verify, and document all relay and control inputs.

- Test, verify, and document local/SCADA operation and indication.

- Test, verify, and document CT, PT, CCVT, and BCT performance.

- Perform point-to-point checks on P&C control wiring.

- Test, verify, and document complete P&C system operation.

o Drawings and Plans:

- Work from, review, and update any all drawings describing electrical P&C design in a substation including but not limited to one-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, and wiring diagrams.

- Downline Protection and Control (P&C)

o Microprocessor Relay:

- Install, test, and perform scheduled maintenance and calibration as well as necessary emergency repairs to ensure satisfactory performance of relays and related equipment.

- Perform diagnostic troubleshooting and implement corrective measures to ensure satisfactory performance.

- Perform routine and emergency testing of all relays and relay systems necessary to maintain good utility practice as well as NERC-PRC compliance.

- Perform modifications and subsequent testing to ensure P&C systems meet intended design parameters.

- Install control cables and perform wiring associated with new installations or upgrades.

o Operating Parameters:

- Test, verify, document all relay and control inputs.

- Test, verify, and document local/SCADA operation and indication.

- Must be familiar with communication protocols and solutions to aid troubleshooting of P&C device communication issues associated with SCADA, metering, or other needs.

- Perform monthly substation inspections as assigned.

- Perform work on energized and de-energized lines and equipment.

- Perform work in cooperation with the Substation and Equipment Technicians, Metering and Instrumentation Technicians, Engineering Technicians, Utility Services Technicians, Communication Technicians, and District Personnel as appropriate.

- Develop switching procedures as needed.

- Perform switching and grounding of substation equipment as needed.

- Maintain familiarity with various software related to reclosers, regulators, power quality equipment, relays, and infrared/thermal imagining.

- Maintain familiarity with various test equipment reclosers, regulators, relays, batteries, etc.

- Assist in special projects as necessary.

Education and Experience

- Associate degree in a related field or related experience and/or training or equivalent.

- NETA Level III/IV Certification or equivalent preferred.

- Previous electric utility experience preferred.

- Minimum 2 or more years with electric utility technical applications.

- Experience with relay test sets and other electrical quantity measuring and testing devices preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

- Must be able to maintain professionalism and control under all circumstances.

- Has and maintains a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record and is able to operate SVEC vehicles.

- Must become and remain certified in CPR and first aid. Must also be skilled in the use of safety equipment.

- Ability to handle the challenge of operating efficiently under a very flexible schedule due to the number of unanticipated and unplanned requests for services from the various individuals, departments and outside contacts with whom this position is involved.

- Ability to motivate peers toward goal achievement.

- Strong verbal, written, analytical and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to communicate complex details in both oral and written formats.

- Ability to dissect and resolve complex problems systematically.

- Must possess effective techniques to research and access all sources necessary to fulfill position responsibilities.

- Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Excel and Word.

- Must have access to reliable transportation to and from work.

Physical Requirements

- Participation in SVEC job safety and training programs, relevant workshops, seminars and other SVEC sponsored courses and events.

- Must be able to use office equipment including telephone, computer, and other systems and related software in the performance of position responsibilities.

- Must be able and available, during any and all types of weather conditions, to work weekends, holidays, evenings and other times outside normal duty hours to assist in service restoration and other emergencies that may arise or when the workload demands.

- Must always maintain an operating telephone or personal communication device at his/her place of residence. Ability to contact the telephone or personal communication device must be made available to SVEC for the purpose of contacting the manager to conduct legitimate routine and/or emergency business.

- This position involves primarily outside work and may require occasionally lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 130 pounds and routine lifting of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Some standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling to a minimal degree.

Performs installation, calibration, testing, diagnostics, and routine maintenance of Transmission and kV Distribution protection assets to maintain personnel and public safety, service continuity, electrical system integrity, and NERC (PRC, CIP, etc.) compliance.