Electric Technician I ( Line Locator)

Safety/Security Status:         Safety Sensitive

JOB SUMMARY Performs a variety of tasks involving electrical metering of residential, commercial, and industrial locations, as well as the monitoring and maintaining of City substations. Assures that the electrical power purchased and sold is the most efficient, and that the revenues collected are correct.

WHEN ASSIGNED DUTIES AS A “LOCATOR”

Demonstrated ability to opening and working in exposed energized equipment up to 12.5 KV.

Demonstrated ability in dealing with customers and general contractors on a daily basis.

Demonstrated ability is assisting construction crews with locating damaged cables.

Demonstrated ability using TDR radar detection for locating faulted cables. (training will be provided).

Possess basic knowledge of electric theory and basic computer skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position.  Other duties may be assigned.

Plans and selects the most efficient metering installation for commercial and large power customers.

Helps training of subordinate technicians by sharing knowledge and overseeing and coordinating work.

Makes recommendations to the Assistant Electric Utilities Manager concerning load management, power factor correction, and other substation-related problems.

Makes field tests of large commercial and industrial meter installations.

Reads large power meters monthly.  Maintains meter location records as well as ALL test records.

Repairs, calibrates, and programs substation relays and rests and performs periodic maintenance on all substation devices, including oil and vacuum breakers, transformer tap changers, and main substation transformer.

Performs “in shop” testing and programming of electrical meters (mechanical and electronic) as well as component testing of electrical and electronic devices.

Offers technical advice to other electrical personnel. Helps troubleshoot complicated electrical problems.

Meets with customers, or investigates complaints regarding high electric bills or voltage problems. Provides voltage monitoring for verification.

Advises warehouse supervisor of materials needed, maintains inventory of stock necessary to complete work.

Maintains thorough knowledge of electricity and electrical systems involving metering and substation devices.

Demonstrates ability to read and understand electrical diagrams and blueprints.

Demonstrates knowledge of mathematics and ability to calculate formulas.

Demonstrates knowledge of current metering, substation practices and procedures as well as continually studying for the future to enhance knowledge and skills.

Demonstrates knowledge of recommended safety practices in hazardous locations.

Demonstrates knowledge of electronics and components of electronic circuits.

Able and willing to work “On-Call” as scheduled.

Performs other duties as required.

Before being eligible for promotion to Electric Technician II, a candidate must spend at least 1 year working as an Electric Technician I for the City or have a minimum of 6 years’ experience in the electrical field.

Attend a metering school.

Complete Substation I and II training.

Complete Substation Safety Training.

Complete additional Substation Training.

Performs weekly substation checks independently.

Familiarity with the meter test bench and demonstrated ability to test a single phase meter and a three phase meter.

Familiarity with the fundamentals of the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

Demonstrates knowledge of the infrared camera system.

Demonstrates knowledge of the phasing instrument for overhead and underground applications.

Familiarity with all system feeders, including open points and locations in the city.

Demonstrates knowledge of capacitor banks and capacitor controls including wiring, programming, and building of the banks.

Familiarity with all substation breakers and maintenance recommendations.

Ability to download event reports from any relay.

Ability to perform substation switching with no supervision.

At any point after promotion, if management feels that the employee no longer possesses any of the applicable skills to the current job classification, the employee could then be subject to a demotion to the previous class.

It shall be the recommendation of management when the employee shall be available for a promotion.

It is the discretion of management when the employee shall be available for a promotion.

It is the discretion of management to waive any promotion requirement(s) that are deemed unnecessary based on the individual’s specific skill set.

The employee’s anniversary date will be changed according to any promotion of grade.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university and three (3) to five (5) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Ability to obtain a Class “A” Commercial Drivers License

• Substation Maintenance 1 Certificate

• Advanced Electric Metering Certificate

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 stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.