Relay Technician Lead

Job Description:

Relay Technician Lead

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, Avionics, or electronics/electrical-related field, plus five (5) years of experience in relay-protection of transmission and/or distribution systems in an electric utility field.
• Electric utility experience in relay-protection, substation, distribution, transmission, generation, etc. or successful completion of a formal relay-protection training program may substitute for education up to two (2) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Texas Class C driver license or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of employment.
• Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Notes to Applicants
This position is responsible for training and leading a crew in the construction, maintenance, testing, and restoration of the protective relaying systems for Austin Energy. The person in this position will lead and provide assistance in the installation, troubleshooting, calibration, repair, and maintenance of protective relay schemes and systems. Responsibilities also include: Lead and answer questions to crew members assisting in the install of relay and communication panels, terminate cables, assist in performing DC checks, power up various devices, assist in loading relay settings, assist in performing various trip checks, confirm communication paths, assist in performing end-to-end testing, and assist in performing in-service checks; read schematics, blueprints, cable schedules, wiring diagrams, and one-lines; operate electronic test equipment such as relay test sets, voltmeters, and phase analyzers; maintain documentation for all systems and be proficient with computer software; maintain compliance with ISO , ERCOT , and NERC standards.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.

• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Work Schedule:

• Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.
• Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
• Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends. Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
Job Close Date 02/03/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 2526 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as the Lead Worker providing technical assistance to crew members in the installation, troubleshooting, calibration, repair, and maintenance of protective relay schemes, systems and associated equipment.
• Experience operating computers and using related software applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience using electrical theory and principles (Ohm’s Law, Power Triangle, Relay logic) related to electricity, magnetism, and electrical equipment (i.e. transformers and switches).
• Journeyman-level experience working with protective relay schemes and systems.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Leads the installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance and repair, troubleshooting, operation, trip and function checks, point-to-point checks, in-service checks, circuit analysis, and protective relay logic verification of protective relaying equipment and schemes, substation equipment, metering, remote control, and data acquisition systems in electrical substations, with voltages up to 345 kilovolts (kV). Responds to on-call, emergency call-back, and after-hour outages due to weather-related events, system disturbances, equipment malfunction, and/or damage; and leads emergency electric system restoration as necessary. Works with electrical engineers to identify, troubleshoot, resolve issues, and make design changes. Answers customer questions and assists as needed. Maintains documentation on systems for International Standards Organization ( ISO ), Electric Reliability Council of Texas ( ERCOT ), and North America Electric Reliability Council ( NERC ) compliance and maintains assigned vehicle, tools, stock, and parts inventories. Makes recommendations on commissioning, testing, and maintenance procedures to accommodate new and existing protective relaying schemes. Assists with field technical training and field performance evaluation of Relay Technicians. Interfaces with City departmental and intergovernmental entities and reviews work completed by private contractors to ensure that AE’s standards are met. Orders, stores, receives, issues, and distributes equipment, parts, tools, and supplies that are essential to the construction, maintenance, and repair of AE’s electrical substations and related equipment. Reviews construction, maintenance, and repair work on AE’s protective relays and related equipment, for accuracy, craftsmanship, and thoroughness.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge AE safety rules, regulations, work practices, standards, and procedures associated with electrical substations and protective relaying systems.
• Knowledge of safety rules, procedures, and hazards involved with working on and around energized electrical systems (lines and equipment/high and low voltage).
• Knowledge of utility communication, relaying, monitoring, and control systems.
• Knowledge of leadership and training techniques.
• Skill in data analysis and using mathematics, problem solving, and electrical power systems theory to solve protective relaying system problems or issues.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling and prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Skill in operating computers and related software applications.
• Skill in properly using, inspecting, maintaining, and safely storing Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ).
• Skill in operating switching devices and equipment used to de-energize and isolate circuits and devices on AE’s electrical transmission, substation, and distribution system.
• Skill in inspecting and safely operating hand and powered tools, equipment, apparatus, and instruments used in the installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of protective relaying schemes, electrical substations, and related equipment.
• Skill in reading and understanding, oral, written, and electronic instructions, technical manuals, profile plans, blueprints, sketches, diagrams, and drawings.
• Skill in drawing, sketching, or modifying diagrams, profile plans, drawings, and control circuit schematics to perform collaborative problem solving, communicate with relay technicians, engineers, and management, for making field corrections or as-builts on engineering drawings, and communicate work assignments.
• Skill in leading, planning, and organizing work assignments and monitoring relay construction and maintenance programs.
• Skill in wiring and troubleshooting of AC and DC control circuits associated with high-voltage utility protection schemes; electro-mechanical, electronic, and digital relays and devices; and associated equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders and work on and around elevated work positions/platforms and bucket trucks.
• Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards in the COA Driver Safety Program.
• Ability to work flexible hours, weekends, holidays, and night work as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and professional working relationships with City employees, customers, and the public.
• Ability to drive, inspect, and maintain various electric utility vehicles.
• Ability to perform strenuous work in all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, changes in priorities, and rotating shifts.
• Ability to properly lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to visually discern between different colors (i.e. red from green or blue from yellow, full color vision).
• Ability to safely work in and around electrical substations, and other work areas and equipment where high voltage, up to 345 kilovolts (kV), may be present.
• Ability to conduct on-the-job-training for peers and Relay Technicians.
• Ability to diagnosis relay event data when responding to system trouble.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a graduation with an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, Avionics, or electronics/electrical-related field, plus five (5) years of experience in relay-protection of transmission and/or distribution systems in an electric utility field. Electric utility experience in relay-protection, substation, distribution, transmission, generation, etc. or successful completion of a formal relay-protection training program may substitute for education up to two (2) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience using and operating computers and related software applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe how you've used electrical theory and principles (Ohm's Law, Power Triangle, Relay logic) related to electricity, magnetism, and electrical equipment.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience serving as the Lead Worker providing technical assistance to crew members in the installation, troubleshooting, calibration, repair, and maintenance of protective relay schemes, systems and associated equipment.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your journeyman-level experience working with protective relay schemes and systems.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a Valid Texas class C driver license. Do you have a Valid Texas class C driver license or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Valid Texas class C driver license within ninety (90) days of employment?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* This position is classified as an “essential” position. The candidate must be able to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Shifts may change according to departmental needs. Are you able to meet these schedule requirements?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents