Engineering Assistant

Primary Function

Under general supervision, performs professional engineering work related to the District's generation, transmission, and distribution relay protection control, standard relay schemes, and testing procedures for the collection and evaluation of data for certification purposes before start-up and commissioning of equipment and control schemes. Performs other duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Engineer Assistant is distinguished from the Engineer I in that incumbents do not have a professional registration and perform their duties under the supervision of an Engineer. Progression to the next level will depend on vacant positions at the higher level and obtaining required experience and/or certification.

The incumbent's assignments can range from the design of a particular relay specification to taking on the scope of a project plan to improve reliability, such as designing a relay control scheme to prevent failures or mitigate the effects of failures. May be consulted on a 24-hour basis regarding specific engineering problems which may be of an emergency nature, or may be required to supervise emergency repair work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The examples of essential functions listed below are representative, but not necessarily exhaustive or descriptive. Incumbents may be assigned other related functions not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment for the position.

- Performs cost and feasibility studies concerning substation relay and control projects; participates in special research projects and studies; and maintains records and files.

- Prepares electrical impedance and short-circuit calculations for generators, transmission lines, distribution lines, and transformers; performs engineering calculations from characteristic data necessary for formulating specifications for relays or associated power system equipment; and prepares standard relay schemes for various specifications.

- Prepares system protection engineering drawings, including one-line, three-line, control drawings, and wiring drawings.

- Evaluates relay operations for cause and effect; prepares event, ongoing technical, and trouble reports regarding transmission, generation, substation, and distribution relay and control equipment; assists with compliance to FERC, NERC, and WECC standards for system protection schemes.

- Inspects construction sites and provides technical support during the implementation and installation of relays and control schemes for the preparation of progress reports pertaining to adherence to design, specifications, and schedule.

- Prepares legal documents related to engineering between the district and private individuals or other agencies.

- Coordinates work to be performed within relay inter-department projects with other district personnel and private contractors.

- Assists with the preparation of specifications for relay crews to be used for testing equipment and materials; reviews ordered materials for the installation of relays and control equipment to ensure materials are consistent with specifications.

- Develops automated computer analysis/data processing capabilities for assigned activities; remains current on the latest developments in electrical engineering.

- Assists with generating testing procedures and the implementation of testing for the collection and evaluation of data for certification purposes prior to start-up and commissioning of generation, transmission, and distribution electrical controls, relay protection schemes, and settings.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities

- Serves as a consultant to district staff concerning relay and control questions.

- Maintains liaison with other public agencies and private companies.

- Responds to inquiries from the public.

- Performs other duties as assigned.

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

- Bachelors degree with a major in electrical engineering; or

- Associates degree with a major in electrical engineering, four years of electrical engineering experience, and an Engineering-In-Training Certificate.

Licensing

- A valid driver's license issued by the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

- Engineering principles and practices

- Relay and control operations and associated equipment

- Designs, specifications, and construction plans

- Relay and control construction and maintenance procedures

- National Electrical Code and State of California Electrical Safety Orders

- District transmission and distribution systems and service area

- Principles of supervision

- Personal computer operation and appropriate business and engineering software applications

Skills and Abilities

- Conceptualize generation, transmission, and distribution relay and control problems and design effective solutions.

- Maintain effective relations with employees and public/private agencies.

- Respond to inquiries or complaints from contractors, vendors, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community and prepare written documentation.

- Write clear, concise reports and set priorities.

- Assume responsibility for substation relay and control maintenance projects.

- Read, analyze, and interpret engineering manuals, technical journals, financial reports, contracts, specifications, engineering plans, and legal documents.

- Effectively present information to the board of directors, management, contractors, vendors, public/private agency representatives, landowners, and employees.

- Apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.

- Apply mathematical operations to tasks such as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

- Visit construction projects as required to evaluate progress or resolve technical questions.

- Understand safety rules and regulations and work safely.

- Maintain prompt and regular attendance.

- Work courteously and cooperatively with employees, contractors, vendors, agency representatives, and the general public.

Tools and Equipment Used

- Computers and diagnostic systems

- Test equipment for relays and controls

- AutoCAD, spreadsheets, and word processors

- Hard hat, copy machine, calculator, fax machine, telephone, desk, and chair

- Measuring devices and two-way radios

- Reference books, requisition sheets, construction plans, contracts, blueprints, specifications, and vehicles

Supervisory Responsibilities

May functionally supervise assigned technicians on a project basis.

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in a well-lighted office area with controlled temperature; is exposed to the risk of electrical shock; and is in proximity to high-voltage facilities. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; works in high, precarious places; works in outside weather conditions; is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; and is exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk, hear, and listen; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach forward, upward, and downward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use both hands and all fingers while operating a computer keyboard; stand; and climb, balance, or maintain balance during these activities. The employee must operate a vehicle over paved highways, roads, dirt county roads, and rough, uneven District rights-of-way and canal banks.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Degree of Physical Effort

Level 3: An employee in this category will be exposed to physical demands requiring strength, coordination, and dexterity only on occasion.