1. Possess a knowledge of electrical theory and a thorough understanding of the operation, maintenance, repair, testing, calibration, and installation of electrical equipment used in substations and on distribution and transmission lines.

2. Assess and report condition of electrical equipment both in-service and out-of-service for suitability for maintenance, repair, or disposal with guidance from Haz-mat and engineering staff.

3. Perform maintenance on electrical equipment and make repairs where necessary as directed by the Substation and Metering Foreman.

4. Coordinates and cooperates with employees from engineering, operations, member services, members, electricians, city and state electrical inspectors, suppliers, and manufacturers to provide service and answer questions.

5. This position provides, but is not limited to, the following services:

   • Regulator, recloser, and sectionalizer – maintenance, testing and minor repairs.

   • Regulator and breaker controls – installation, programming, testing, and repair.

   • Circuit breakers – maintenance, minor and major repairs.

   • Protective relaying – installation, calibration and maintenance.

   • Wiring – assemble and wire low voltage communications, relaying and SCADA equipment.

   • Performs inspections, calibrations, and programming functions online devices (reclosers, regulators, etc.) located on Inland Power’s distribution lines outside of substations.

   • Test equipment – installation, maintenance, minor and major repairs.

   • Records – initiation and maintenance of pertinent equipment records.

   • Performs switching and grounding duties as necessary.

6. Responsible for reviewing proper settings in substation metering and protective equipment, programming the devices, and performing substation testing and checkout for new substations and substation additions.  This includes wiring relay panels, control panels and equipment, as necessary.

7. Performs minor mechanical/structural work.

8. Install new or replace existing devices and equipment as necessary in support of maintenance activities or substation improvement projects.

9. Be available to work with line crews during outages or other situations as requested.

10. Accountable for downloading event and load data from substation relays and recloser controls and maintaining substation load and device duty cycle databases.

11. Maintains comprehensive, accurate electronic and paper documentation of job reports, as well as, expense and time records.

12. Works near or on energized equipment and connects circuits under load as required using specialized equipment and devices.

13. Responsible for installing and maintaining substation communication and monitoring equipment.

14. Other duties as assigned.

• Education/Experience

  • Substation Maintenance Technician

  • Meets requirements of journeyman substation maintenance technician and possesses a National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) substation technician journeyman certification or equivalent.

  • High school diploma or GED.

  • Requires a valid driver’s license (Class A CDL is preferred, but not required).

• Knowledge and Skills:

  • Knowledge of National Electrical Safety Code, National Electrical Code, Washington State Electrical Safety Code for utilities, power line construction, methods, materials and equipment.

  • Knowledge of utility accounting systems.

  • Knowledge of Rural Utilities Service contracting requirements and construction standards along with OSHA standards.

  • Ability to read electrical blueprints, schematics and meter wiring diagrams or have the aptitude to quickly learn these skills.

  • Understanding of electricity substations, transmission and distribution systems.

  • Must be proficient at the use of a personal computer and familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, i.e., Outlook, Excel, Word.

  • Other combinations education/experience may be considered.

• Preferred Job Qualifications:

  • Experience in work with BPA as a power supplier.

  • Additional experience in electronics or as electrical wireman is desirable.

  • Understanding of relevant environmental concerns.

  • Backhoe operation experience preferred.

• Mental Demands/Working Conditions:

  • Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and supervision.

  • Ability to manage diverse work functions while balancing and adjusting priorities in accordance with changing requirements.

  • Ability to respond quickly and effectively to a rapidly changing work environment.

  • Ability to understand personal and departmental role in the bigger organization picture, and to respond as an effective team member.

  • Ability to work under pressure.  Must be able to make decisions with minimal data.

  • Must be able to work in excess of 12 hours during extreme outage situations.  Must be available for unscheduled work as needed.

Physical Demands: 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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

• The employee frequently is required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. 

• Other specific abilities required are ability to talk using the telephone and hear within normal range. 

​​

The journeyman substation maintenance technician shall have full authority to carry out these duties and responsibilities in conformity with established policies and procedures and shall utilize time in such a way as to fulfill the objectives of this position and the cooperative.