CPS Energy

Tech System Protection 1

San Antonio, TX

About This Job

We are engineers, high line workers, power plant managers, accountants, electricians, project coordinators, risk analysts, customer service operators, community representatives, safety and security specialists, communicators, human resources partners, information technology technicians and much, much more. We are 3,500 people committed to enhancing the lives of the communities we serve. Together, we are powering the growth and success of our community progress every day!

Deadline to apply: June 6, 2025

Pay Grade

13

Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level

Position Summary

System Protection Technician maintains the integrity and reliability of the CPS Energy Generation, Transmission, and Distribution System by maintaining, testing, and repairing protective devices that monitor the power system 24 hours a day. The System Protection Technician works with and coordinates with many different departments to ensure all components in the power system work with each other to provide CPS Energy with the necessary infrastructure to provide reliable energy. The technician will be responsible for commissioning 13kV to 345kV Bus, Transformer and Breaker protection schemes at Substations and Power Plants. Identify and correct drawings that are inaccurate of said equipment/protective schemes found during the commissioning process. Technicians will test, maintain, repair Electromechanical, solid state, and microprocessor relays from various manufacturers. Technicians in this position must have a strong working knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of various associated work groups and is ultimately responsible that these work groups have completed their work before any new or upgraded equipment is placed in service.

Tasks and Responsibilities

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Tests, commissions, and troubleshoots Protective Relay Schemes for Transmission, Distribution, and Generation circuits to include but not limited to transformer paralleling schemes, power line carrier equipment, line, transformer and bus differential protection, over-current, under frequency, synchronous, generation, and motor protection.

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Tests and maintains all new and existing protective relay and control equipment current transformers to include the condition of the primary and secondary insulation, ratio, winding resistance, polarity, phase deviation, and excitation characteristic.

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Operates, commissions, and tests low and high voltage electrical equipment from 120V, 480V, 4160V, 13.8kV, 35kV, 138kV, and 345kV systems to include but not limited to circuit switchers, circuit breakers, motor operated disconnects, and vacuum interrupters.

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Reviews and performs switching sequences on 480V, 4160V, 13.8kV, 35kV, 138kV and 345kV systems in substations and power generation environments.

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Provide field engineering support and training to electricians, foreman, and other departments in the wiring and commissioning of the substation equipment, protective relaying, and control systems.

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Completes test forms and enter test results to keep records up to date and stay in compliance with the Texas Reliability Entity (TRE).

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Troubleshoots, repairs, and makes technical recommendations to electricians and area leadership of electrical and relay failures in both Substations and Power Plants 24/7.

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Implement setting changes to electro-mechanical, solid state, and microprocessor relays.

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Reviews, updates, and maintains all substation electrical schematic drawings to include A.C., D.C., wiring diagrams, interconnect drawings, etc. and determine whether they are consistent with CPS design philosophy and make corrections in the field with minimum supervision.

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Recommends engineering design changes of manufacturers equipment and implement once approved.

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Provides analysis of the operation of the CPS electric system after a major disturbance and provide recommendations regarding the proper operation of the electric system.

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Repairs various items such as electromechanical relay components and electronic circuit boards as well as other similar items.

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Provides QA/QC of work of private contractors during substation and power plant construction to ensure that CPS's standards are met.

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Provides oversight and commissioning approval of all crafts for substation and generation capital projects prior to the release of equipment to System Operations for energization.

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Coordinates (synchronize efforts) between other departments to ensure that jobs are completed with the least amount of disruption to customers or the electric system and that jobs are completed in a safe and timely fashion.

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Perform 24-7 Call-Duty on a rotational basis to determine equipment condition during outages and to respond to abnormal system conditions.

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Perform Federally Mandated (NERC) testing on Protection Systems according to NERC PRC-005 standards and document results.

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Perform all tasks in inclement weather and around high voltage environments.

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After hours college courses and/or Vendor training is required for advancement within the department.

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Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Skills

Minimum Knowledge and Abilities

Must have strong technical and critical thinking skills

Ability to read, write, and understand technical instructions

Ability to distinguish colors to identify electronics components and wiring.

Ability to work overtime, including weekends and call duty.

Must have a high level of information retention and attention to detail.

High level of accuracy of work and attention to detail, to include the ability to perform precise mathematical calculations

Ability to maintain a NERC/CIP background

Effective oral and written communication skills.

A valid Class C driver’s license with a history of a safe driving record in accordance with CPS policies, procedures, safety standards, and applicable laws and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

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Associates degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Electronics technology, Engineering technology, Mathematics, Avionics or electronics / electrical related field

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Strong mathematical background minimum equivalent of Pre-Calculus

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Understanding of System Protection Theory and the interrelationship of individual relay schemes

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Previous experience in relay testing or System Protection theory.

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Previous electric or electronics trade

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Basic knowledge in Microsoft Office package, including word, excel, email

Competencies

Delivering High Quality Work

Demonstrating Tenacity and Perseverance

Accepting Responsibility

Building and Supporting Teams

Serving Customers

Displaying Technical Expertise

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Required Certifications

Working Environment

Indoor work & outdoor work. Large maj of the work is conducted in the fld in both substations & power plants, in hot & cold weather, & noisy & dusty environ, oper comp, having manual dexterity, able to comm w/ co-workers & other dept, repetitive motion.

Use of personal computing equip, various types of test equip, phone, multi-functioning printer & calculator. Ability to travel to & from substations, power plants, mtgs, training sessions or other busi related events. After hours work is req when energy.

Physical Demands

Exerting up to 55 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

This job requires climbing ladders and equipment, carrying heavy equipment, frequent moving including up and down stairs, etc., and the ability to work with basic hand and power tools.

CPS Energy does not discriminate against applicants or employees. CPS Energy is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of its employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfers and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or any other protected status. CPS Energy will comply with all laws and regulations.

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