Meter Relay Technician

Job Summary:

Working independently and collaboratively with others, this position plays an integral role in executing CPI’s mission, philosophy, and commitment to providing safe, reliable electricity to our members and exceptional service to our internal and external customers. All employees are also expected to maintain an elevated level of trust, integrity, and ethical standards.

This is a bargaining unit position (IBEW Local 659). A Meter & Relay Technician is a journeyman with a working knowledge of substation protection, control, and metering equipment. They will install, commission, troubleshoot and maintain transmission, distribution, and substation protective relaying systems, meters, and meter equipment including CT installation. The Meter & Relay Technician may work independently or with others, occasionally working long hours during emergency conditions, and be responsible for tools, test equipment, and vehicles.

Essential Functions of the Position:

The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits.

1. Install, maintain, test, adjust, troubleshoot, and repair substation equipment which includes, but is not limited to protective relays, indicating and KWH/KW meters, recording instruments including sequential event recorders and digital fault recorders.
2. Install, maintain, test, adjust, troubleshoot, and repair controls to all substation apparatus including breakers, transformers, regulators, capacitors, and all associated equipment including various forms of SCADA controlled devices.
3. Install, maintain, test, adjust, troubleshoot, and repair RF metering system components including DCUs, pole mounted antennas, backhaul communications equipment, and metering endpoints.
4. Install, add, test, or replace meters, current transformers, relays, control circuits, and telemetering equipment; review drawings and make necessary field corrections.
5. Accurately record data, repair, adjust or calibrate equipment.
6. Utilize test equipment and test electrical devises, and systems to determine suitability for service.
7. Operate substation equipment, including switching and grounding and de-energizing equipment for testing and maintenance.
8. Read and interpret electrical drawings: one-lines, three-lines, schematics, connection diagrams, etc.
9. Make suggestions to Electric Operations and Engineering personnel in the design and planning process.
10. Practice safe procedures, techniques, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
11. Continuously improve skills and become familiar with modern technology.
12. Assist in developing predictive and preventive maintenance procedures and maintenance intervals for equipment and systems.
13. Troubleshoot alarms and equipment malfunctions and make repairs.
14. Experience programming and installing a variety of relays including SEL and Cooper.
15. Work with a variety of hand and power tools, electrical testing equipment and muti-meters.
16. Perform basic control wiring.
17. Understand the theory and hazards of electrical circuits.
18. Performs inspection of substations and line equipment during prescribed inspection intervals.
19. Plans and executes a project schedule to complete maintenance tasks and planned equipment replacements and upgrades.
20. Works independently on assigned projects, including creating and maintaining equipment maintenance records in an orderly manner.
21. Works closely with operations, engineering, IT, and meter/relay teams and assists in the development and implementation of electronic monitoring, control systems and smart grid sensors.
22. Possesses and displays a working knowledge of work rules and safety practices and participates in monthly safety meetings.
23. Communicate in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner with all employees, the Board of Directors, customers, and others with whom we may work. Contribute to a successful work group through positive interactions, active listening, meaningful collaborations, and the constructive exchange of ideas designed to meet or exceed the organization’s strategic goals.
24. Complete special projects and other duties as assigned to meet team, department and organizational goals while actively demonstrating accountability and responsibility for achieving desired outcomes and measurable results.

Position Requirements:

Qualified candidates for this position will have relevant education and experience necessary to perform the essential functions and meet the minimum performance expectations for this position.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• Has successfully completed an electrical wireman apprenticeship or equivalent program
• Professional license or Certificates: Journey level credentials in Electrical Craft

• Valid driver’s license with safe driving record

Preferred Education and Experience

• 4 years’ work experience as a Journeyman Meter & Relay Technician or in the Meter and Relay trade, Electrical Engineer or any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform as a Meter Relay Technician.
• Bachelor’s degree or better in Engineering
• Valid CDL driver’s license with safe driving record

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of electrical industry; project management; construction techniques and terminology; overhead and underground construction standards as well as Oregon OSHA and NESC requirements.
• Ability to make simple arithmetic calculations such as calculating figures and amounts related to electrical loads, system capacity, utility construction, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills necessary to communicate clearly and effectively with internal and external customers, vendors, contractors, and other diverse audiences while providing outstanding customer service. To include the communication of technical information.
• Strong technical, troubleshooting, problem solving, research, organizational and analytical skills, combined with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet established deadlines. Ability to multitask is also essential while remaining flexible with changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new and evolving technologies.
• Flexibility in responding to shifts in organizational priorities.
• Well-reasoned decision making with a high diligence regarding organization, planning, workflow, and project prioritization to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and accurately.
• Possesses a fundamental understanding of equipment and controls used in power system protection and voltage controls and able to interpret an extensive range of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagram form.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills in the proper use and care of tools and equipment used in power line construction and maintenance.
• Ability to deal with stress and make decisions quickly and calmly especially in times of emergency.

• Honest, ethical, loyal, respectful, and accountable for one’s actions.
• Highly ethical, self-motivated individual with ability to work independently and/or with limited direction, as well as cooperatively in a team environment, while consistently demonstrating collaborative, respectful and productive work habits.

Availability, Physical Demands, and Other Requirements:

Availability and Accessibility

Due to the nature and scope of the essential functions, the importance of personal interactions with coworkers and members of the public, and the availability of job-related tools, equipment and resources at work, performance of the essential functions requires regular, consistent availability, accessibility, and presence on-site.

Approximately 40 hours / week may be required to efficiently perform the job duties of this position, including presence at designated internal and external meetings. This position may also require availability and accessibility to respond to and address emergencies and critical situations outside of normal business operating hours in the evenings and/or during weekends.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Receive, understand, evaluate, and appropriately respond to communications from employees, the Board of Directors, and members of the public using available technology, in person and in a public setting when necessary.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication style to ensure reactions and responses to both emergency and non-emergency situations serve as an example to others of appropriate workplace communications.
• Provide intellectually sound and well-reasoned answers, recommendations, and solutions to identified business problems, issues and/or questions. Efficiently and quickly analyze, process, manipulate, and accurately record extensive amounts of data (some of which is technical in nature) and other information that serves as the basis for this position.
• Use a personal computer or other technology devices frequently and consistently for the purpose of reviewing, analyzing, creating, transmitting, and presenting documents, data, and other business-related information.
• Operates forklift, boom truck, bucket truck, hand tools, power tools, various electronic test instruments, mobile and base station two-way radios, etc.
• Frequently lift, transport and/or move up to approximately 75 lbs. each day in the performance of regular duties and occasionally up to 100 lbs. Changes position frequently and works in awkward positions. Required to stand for extended periods of time, sit while driving and/or attending meetings, and walk on uneven ground in all types of terrain. Required to push, pull, twist, reach and use finger dexterity to grip/handle tools, equipment controls, etc. Climbs in and out of buckets of aerial man-lift with tool belt, materials, and equipment. Work requires regular entering/exiting of vehicle. Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing, and descending a stepladder may also be required.

• Drive on behalf of CPI and/or report for work in all types of weather.

Environmental Conditions:

The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. This position works primarily in the field and is exposed to all types of weather conditions including temperature extremes and rainy environments. Outdoor setting involves all types of property and site conditions, including open spaces, timberlands, urban developments, flat and hilly terrain, building construction sites, and road rights of way. Subject to outside weather/driving conditions.

Disclosures:

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. It is intended as a general guide of the job duties and tasks the person in this position may be asked to perform as part of our CPI team. It is by no means an exhaustive list of all the job duties or responsibilities that may be assigned to this position. Position descriptions may occasionally be updated, as necessary, to reflect evolving business needs, and such changes may not be reflected immediately in written form.

Refusal or unwillingness to perform duties and tasks assigned in a positive, professional, and productive manner, even if seeming to fall outside of this description, may be considered insubordination and a violation of CPI policies and expectations.