Substation Field Engineer

Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Starting Salary Range: $91,746.00 - $111,930.00

Position Summary

Responsible to provide engineering support for the installation, maintenance, testing of electric substation and distribution equipment and associated protection and communication systems. Work with vendors within the industry and OEMs for technical support and to procure, repair and replacement parts. Analyze maintenance records, and test reports. Maintain equipment maintenance schedules and perform database management to ensure regulatory compliance and system reliability. Assist with the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of protection systems

Essential Functions

- Performs as a key role in how our testing program is being managed and performed.

- Collaborates with the team by providing them with technical direction and support to address questions/concerns within the field.

- Communicating with ESI/PED on a regular basis to guarantee they are all on the same page as it relates to the P/C’s (Protection and control), wiring design or any capital project decisions.

- Providing technical input on equipment arrangement within the substation and support others on how our system should be designed.

- Job site visits to support needs of the team.

- Work on the maintenance plan to ensure no oversight or mismanagement.

- Support the substation department with technical assistance as it relates to substations and any of our production facilities. Allowing for issues found to be addressed in a timely manner.

- Visit sites to provide direction to the employees in the field and to address concerns that have been brought forward.

- Provide the department with engineering expertise as it relates to testing devices in order to keep the department in step with industry’s best practice.

- Looks at departmental systems to develop a plan to move testing practices forward, initiating the need to purchase new equipment or enhance employee’s skills.

- Ensure the NERC schedule is being monitored and updated to meet the testing cycle.

- Supporting PRC -005 documentation control and verifying the testing practices are aligned with PSMP (Protection System Maintenance Program) and NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) Guidelines.

- Work with our outside support teams, such as GDS Associates (Auditor of PRC -OO5) and Assurx (OSMI software/scheduler) to make sure best test practices are in place.

- Support the bidding process as an evaluator, onboarding contractors that will provide support and advise to some of our most critical issues.

- Create maintenance guidelines for ECM/ETG and fully aligning the dept. maintenance program with industry best practice i.e. IEEE/NETA and LCE.

- Develop a Predictive Maintenance approach for our department by looking at other utilities, professionals, and vendors within the industry to position our team in a strategic direction.

- Bringing on programs and software to support improvement to help build a maintenance budget off trending, testing statistics and risk exposure.

- Participation in the continuous improvement of the Asset Management System and Work Management processes.

Required

Job Specifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from ABET accredited curriculum or related field.

- Minimum 3 years of Electric utility operations, planning, or compliance experience.

- Must be assertive in a constructive manner, detail oriented, and have good leadership and problem-solving skills.

- Experience evaluating electrical test data from power apparatus for detailed apparatus condition assessment.

- Experience operating, and trouble-shooting test equipment used for off-line electrical apparatus tests.

- Field testing experience with transformers (including bushings, arrestors and CTs), generators, motors, and circuit breakers, particularly performing the following: Power Factor and Capacitance, SFRA, and EMI.

- Minimum of 2 years of experience working in substation, power plants, or industrial power systems.

- Must be able to work within uncertain or tight timelines.

- Be proficient in writing and have good public speaking skills.

- Have advanced Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

- Undergo and pass the Personnel Risk Assessment background check requirements under the NERC CIP Program.

Preferred

- Military or industrial RF or Microwave communication experience.

- Experience with testing or maintenance of high voltage electrical systems in power plants or heavy industry.

- PD testing of HV apparatus.

- Understanding of Acoustic Emission testing.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day. The person in this position needs to move about inside the office environment including the use of stairs, industrial and field environments, including uneven terrain. Constantly operates a computer, and other office equipment. Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen. Must communicate frequently with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing. May need to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below the knee level or reach overhead. May be required to climb ladders or stairs, wear a respirator, recognize small numbers, letters, symbols, colors on prints, and/or operate field instruments/equipment.

Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills that may be required of the employee. Management reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise alter these duties, responsibilities, and skills at any time. Why Should You Apply?

Competitive wages, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.

Robust time off benefits including vacation, free choice, sick leave, parental leave and 11 paid holidays.

Comprehensive benefits package offered including medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, employee assistance program.

Voluntary benefits including vision, supplemental and dependent life insurance, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long term care, tuition reimbursement, and BWL's Home Purchase Plan – Forgivable $5,000 loan for purchase of a home in Lansing.

Retirement programs including 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan (DC) (100% company paid up to 9.5 % of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% of base salary for NBU positions), 457 Deferred Compensation matches up to $2,500 per year.

Post retirement benefits offered at the respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium, at the same level as active employees.

Two fitness centers located on site open 24/7, work life balance program, employee assistance program, free parking and much more!

About BWL

The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities.

The Location:

Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.

THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER