City of Seattle, WA

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

The Electrical Power Systems Engineer serves as lead or project engineer on long-term projects involving the planning and development of electric power systems for the power delivery system. Assume a leading role in the selection, procurement, installation, testing, acceptance, operation and maintenance of apparatus, equipment structures, materials and related systems for the high voltage substation, transmission, distribution, conversion, measurement and control of electricity. The main activities include:

• Substation layout and site design
• Primary, Secondary, and Ancillary Substation equipment design, maintenance, developing maintenance plans, maintenance procedures, review test results and provide field support to the crews
• Substation grounding design
• Relaying system design and improvements for transmission and distribution
• Substation/distribution automation, NERC compliance, IED networking and cyber security
• Metering and instrumentation, SCADA/RTU, control/power conduit and cable systems
• Construction document preparation.

This position will report to the Principal Electrical Power Systems Engineer.

Job Responsibilities

Here is more about what you’ll be doing: 

The Electrical Power Systems Engineer serves as lead or project engineer on long-term projects involving the planning and development of electric power systems for the generation, transmission, distribution, conversion, measurement and control of electricity.

• Lead a multidisciplinary team in the selection, procurement, installation, testing, acceptance, operation and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, structures, materials and related systems for the generation, transmission, distribution, conversion, measurement and control of electricity.
• Collaborate with team leads responsible for related segments of the electrical power system from generation to customer connection.
• Lead engineering team to develop power stabilization and system capacity improvement projects and long-range system-wide plans.
• Use computer-based analytical tools and mathematical models to optimize system capacity, to maximize operations at design capacity and to improve equipment utilization.
• Review final plans, specifications, agreements and coordinates the work of electrical contractors, equipment manufacturers, affected public agencies and utility crews.
• Serve as a technical expert in electrical power systems engineering.
• Serve on a team responsible for interconnection planning to maximize reliability among regional power systems and within a control area.
• Provide instructions to field crews and answers questions concerning systems design issues for crews, contractors, engineers, customers and the public.
• Coordinate and review submittals by consultants and manufacturers.
• Prepare progress and final reports and estimates.
• Lead a team that tests electrical power systems interfaces and the effects of integration designs and modifications. Collaborates with other team leads or individuals in testing and in recommending problem resolution when system conflicts arise.
• May participate in the selection, hiring and performance appraisal of technical staff assigned to power systems work.
• Prepare specifications and evaluates bids for new equipment.
• Survey sites, determine design needs or problems and determine the location of equipment.
• Perform or lead preparation of drawings and details manually or with computer-aided drafting and design applications.
• Prepare progress and final reports and estimates.

Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has: 

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or other combinations of education and/or experience which provides preparation to do professional electrical engineering work on major electrical power systems.

Experience: Requires six years of progressively responsible, difficult and highly complex or visible electrical power systems engineering experience.

Certification/License: Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility. Professional Engineer state licensure within the United States and up to 12 months after appointment to attain State of Washington registration.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities: 

• Familiar with AutoCAD, and working knowledge of Word, Excel, MS Project, and Power Point.
• Ability to be proficient in business communications to write clear, understandable, professional letters, memos, reports and able to give presentations to staff, management and government agencies.
• Good oral communication skills, able to adapt to shifting priorities and work as a team member in a diverse work force.
• Ability to read and interpret project plans, drawings, specifications, surveys and studies. Ability to prioritize work and revise plan modifications to meet project deadlines.
• Experience in substation equipment specifications, design, procurement and construction of substation transformers, circuit breakers, battery systems, relays, meters, AC and DC schematics, physical equipment layouts, conduit sizing, wire sizing, ground grid studies. Other engineering experience related to the design, maintenance and operation of a high-voltage substation.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $76.38 to $83.02 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement 
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience. 

Incomplete applications may not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 (Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: 

"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov