Substation Technician

Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1 million Kentuckians across 87 counties. We're leaders in environmental stewardship and we're committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.

As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.

EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.

For more information on our plentiful benefits package visit our website at https://www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc

EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Considering Different Levels

The following levels are open for consideration: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

All skill levels are being considered and the person chosen for the position will be placed in the level in which they are experienced. Please see below for description of all levels.

Key Roles

ALL LEVELS

Performs electrical and mechanical tests on all substation equipment.

Bypasses, isolates and restores to service all substation equipment.

Tests, calibrates and repairs many types of substation equipment.

Troubleshoots and repairs wiring on all existing and new breaker stations and tests to ensure wiring is correct.

Performs maintenance procedures on all substation equipment.

Installs, tests, calibrates and troubleshoots, OCR controls, distribution SCADA, fiber-optic systems, and OCB controls.

Programs relays for installation.

Interprets breaker failure schemes.

Performs data entry from maintenance inspection.

Performs other duties as assigned.

LEVEL 1

Visually inspects insulators and lightning arrestors for damage.

Visually inspects conductors and control wiring.

Checks grounding on fences, structures and equipment.

Installs conduit.

Checks battery physical condition.

Visually inspects capacitors and capacitor bank controls.

Visually inspects voltage regulators.

Reads drag hands.

Records counter data on reclosers, breakers, and circuit switchers.

Visually inspects reclosers, breakers, and circuit switchers.

Visually inspects transformers for oil level, pressure, and temperature.

Checks cooling fans on transmission station transformers for proper operation.

Visually inspects meter transformer.

Checks indicator lamps and replaces as necessary.

Tests fuses for continuity.

Changes out or repairs nitrogen cylinders.

Reads system 1 ¿ line diagrams.

Inspects vehicles prior to use.

Inspects personal safety equipment on truck.

Inspects, drives, sets up, and operates bucket truck.

Inspects, drives, sets up, and operates crane truck.

Obtains CDL permit.

Inspects and cleans rubber gloves, sleeves, hoses, and blankets.

Inspects, cleans, and tests hot sticks.

Locates and references SDS manual.

Inspects and utilizes fire extinguishers and first aid kits.

Reads and interprets Safe Work Manual to follow EKPC procedures.

Applies appropriate safety standards when using tools and equipment.

Identifies safety hazards and responds according to emergency procedures.

Assists with performing switching and issues Hold Card per EKPC LOTO procedure.

Determines whether substation is safe for entry.

Visually checks distribution and transmission substation components.

Checks substation lot to ensure that safety is maintained including presence of signage and absence of erosion.

Completes routine monthly substation inspection and documentation form.

Installs or replaces air conditioning filters.

Installs or replaces window filters.

Checks and maintains inventory of fuses and lamps.

Performs other duties as assigned.

LEVEL 2

Megger tests low voltage wires.

Reads and interprets wire and conduit schedule to install new equipment wiring.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces insulators under de-energized conditions.

Installs or replaces control cables for reclosers.

Repairs or replaces equipment grounding, including CADWELD connections.

Reads meter data.

Reads relay targets.

Checks unregulated voltage in meter cabinet.

Tests phasing with phasing sticks.

Checks annunciators and resets as necessary.

Checks battery operation and voltages.

Verifies voltage, adds water, and cleans terminals on battery banks.

Changes SCADA, reclosers, and MOAB batteries.

Changes batteries in recloser cabinet.

Checks current switches and CAP Bank batteries.

Checks operation of voltage regulators and controls.

Meggers voltage regulators.

Assists in complete maintenance of breakers.

Assists in complete maintenance of reclosers.

Operationally tests and adjusts switches to ensure that they open and close properly.

Replaces or repairs counters on circuit switchers, breakers, and reclosers.

Assists with installing motor operator (mechanical hookups).

Checks switches and equipment for unit number.

Isolates breakers using transfer or bypass schemes.

Isolates reclosers using transfer or bypass schemes.

Assists with changing or repairing bushings and gaskets.

Assists with filtering oil when test indicates excess water.

Checks load on substation transformers.

Installs external current transformers.

Installs transformer cooling fans.

Bypasses switches on metering transformer following ¿bypass scheme.¿

Isolates CT and PT circuits without switches when de-energized.

Meggers transformers.

Obtains oil samples on oil filter equipment.

Troubleshoots AC service panels.

Assists with installing mobile substation following procedure.

Performs switching and issues Hold Card per EKPC LOTO procedure.

Completes Switching Training class.

Verifies switching and electrical clearances.

Identifies minimum approach distances.

Identifies operating voltage at 12 kV (low side); 69kV, 138 kV, 161 kV, and 345 kV (high side).

Uses hot sticks to isolate high voltage equipment.

Determines when conditions exist to shut down substation and notify Dispatcher.

Restores distribution substation on-line.

Performs two-month inspections.

Accesses records in Maximo.

Uses test equipment including multimeter, di-electric, megger, and high voltage amp meter.

Performs other duties as assigned.

LEVEL 3

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces control wiring.

Installs or replaces control cables for reclosers.

Conducts infrared testing in substations.

Interprets alarm and annunciator schemes.

Installs batteries, battery chargers, and wiring.

Tests batteries and terminals to meet EKPC standards.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces batteries, battery chargers, and wiring.

Installs, tests, and troubleshoots capacitors and capacity bank controls.

Verifies capacitor control operation.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces voltage regulators and controls.

Programs and tests voltage regulators and controls.

Performs complete maintenance of reclosers.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces reclosers and controls.

Programs and functional tests reclosers and controls.

Performs complete maintenance including testing breakers.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces breakers (Doble, TTR, Micro-ohm, and Timing tests).

Performs PM on circuit switchers.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces circuit switchers.

Troubleshoots and repairs/replaces motor operator (electrical and mechanical).

Changes or repairs bushings and gaskets.

Filters oil when test indicates excess water.

Tests transformer alarms for oil level, pressure, and temperature.

Tests current transformers per EKPC procedures.

Commissions power transformers.

Tests SF6 gas for moisture using a moisture analyzing test set.

Inspects and Doble tests lightning arresters.

Installs high voltage fuses.

Inspects and/or changes out lightning arresters and insulators from a bucket truck under energized conditions.

Installs mobile substation following procedure.

Conducts High Pot Testing.

Reads 1-line relaying diagrams for use within a single substation.

Reads 3-line diagrams for tying two circuits or substations together.

Reads 3-line relaying diagrams.

Interprets consultant-designed prints.

Interprets EKPC tripping schemes.

Interprets breaker trip/close schemes.

Interprets breaker failure schemes.

Interprets EKPC print system.

Interprets industry standard plant prints.

Redraws and updates secondary drawings.

Drafts drawings.

Installs and tests distribution SCADA.

Troubleshoots distribution SCADA.

Tests fiber-optic system.

Troubleshoots distribution substations and bypass, repairs/replaces faulty components.

Troubleshoots transmission substations and repair/replace faulty components.

Returns transmission substation on-line.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Roles

Perform technical services and maintenance procedures to ensure the proper and efficient operation of substation equipment and equipment control units.

Key Requirements

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Associate's degree in a related area or formal electronics technical training preferred.

Experience: Three (3) years experience with electronic components and electrical related applications.

Skills and Abilities: ¿ Knowledge of switching procedures for energized substations preferred.

Competencies

Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills

Safety Awareness

Decision Making

Contributing to Team Success

Initiating Action

Building Customer Loyalty

Working Conditions

Must maintain a valid driver's license. Must obtain Class B CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Certification.

On-call position; required to carry a company provided cell phone and respond to trouble call on weekends, holidays, and after hours.

Overnight travel and non-scheduled overtime a normal part of the job.

Works in and around energized facilities.

Regular lifting up to 100 lbs. and occasional lifting over 100 lbs.

Regular climbing and working at heights on ladders and stairs and occasional climbing and working at heights on structures.

Living within thirty (30) minutes driving time of assigned service center is preferred. Certain locations may be considered over others depending on hiring needs.

Must wear personal protective equipment as appropriate.