Substation Relay/Comms Tech at City of Fort Collins in Fort Collins, Colorado

Job Description:

POSITION TITLE: Substation Relay/Comms Tech (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req7933
DEPARTMENT: L&P Operations & Technology
LOCATION: UTILITIES SERVICE CTR - BLDG A
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) View Classifications & Benefits
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $101,523.00 - 141,645.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: This is a step level position. The salary for the selected candidate will fall within the range above and is based on skills and qualifications.
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 1/20/2025.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check and motor vehicle report required. Drug test also required within 48 hours of offer.

CDL Drivers are required to register with the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse at: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) - eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire


• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires


• Retirement + company contributions - after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting


• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both


• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance


• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability


• Wellness program, workout facilities


• Employee/family onsite health clinic


• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility


• Collaborative work environment

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

As a Substation Relay Communication Tech, you will be responsible for system protection and communication work critical to maintaining the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the high voltage electric distribution system. This role involves the testing, maintaining, and installation of substation protective relays and communication equipment. Working closely with engineering staff, this position plays a key role in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of construction standards, material specifications, and electric service standards. This is a journeyman position, and the ideal candidate will bring experience in relay testing, switching, electrical troubleshooting, print reading, experience with SCADA systems, and various communication equipment. This is a technical field position that prioritizes the solving of complex issues related to substation equipment while ensuring minimal downtime, optimal system performance, with a focus on safety and teamwork.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Installs, tests, repairs, maintains and/or calibrates protective relay equipment, SCADA equipment, transducers and related equipment, including coordination of operation.


• Installs and terminates control, metering, and wiring related to protective relay switchboards and substation electrical equipment.


• Diagnoses and repairs electronic and electromechanical components used in SCADA, telemetry and relay equipment.


• Develops and maintains documentation related to substation maintenance and operational procedures.


• Provides input to budget development, prepares budget documents, and authorizes equipment purchases.


• Assists with specifications, installation, and maintenance of telephone, radio and fiber optic communications to SCADA, and specific substation equipment.


• Specifies equipment to interface SCADA with other equipment, systems, and networks.


• Provides training, maintenance, and troubleshooting assistance for SCADA and substation systems.


• Provides technical management of Light and Power's 900 MHZ radio communication system.


• Participates in NERC audits and performs testing of relays and relay protection schemes to meet NERC requirements.


• Provides project management functions such as vendor and contractor coordination, reporting, scheduling, inspection, testing, and final commissioning.


• Performs high voltage switching when required.

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.


• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.


• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.


• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of FCC and OSHA regulations and the National Electric Code and National Electric Safety Code.


• Working knowledge of NERC audit and testing requirements and documentation.


• Working knowledge of Capital Projects Procedures.


• Computer/Auto CAD skills.


• Experience with programmable control systems.


• Good interpersonal, supervisory, and team/project management skills.


• Ability to interpret electrical/electronic schematic diagrams, manufacturer's instruction books, and control wiring diagrams.


• Ability to coordinate large, complex projects involving various contractors and vendors, and manage multiple concurrent projects and tasks.


• Ability to prepare bid specifications.


• Ability to interface effectively with City staff and the general public.


• Knowledge of system analysis and system design.


• Ability to install, maintain, and modify electrical, mechanical, and electronic equipment in a substation environment with voltages up to 230KV.


• Proficient in SCADA, protective relaying, load management, and communications systems.


• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.

Required Qualifications

MinimumPreferredHigh School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates High school graduation plus college, vocational, or industry courses in electrical/electronic theory, lab work, associated mathematics, and communication systems. . OR Associate's degree in Electric or Electronic Sciences and seven years working in a substation environment with experience in construction, operations, and testing and maintaining substation equipment including protective relaying and SCADA equipment is required.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of seven (7) years working in a substation environment with experience in project management, construction, operations, and testing, and maintaining substation equipment including protective relaying and SCADA equipment is required.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Valid Class "B" Driver's License. Completion of a substation apprentice program with certification. Completion of a relay testing apprentice program with certification.

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Substation Relay/Comms Tech
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

BACKGROUND CHECK, MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT AND DRUG TEST REQUIRED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF OFFER.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.Job Summary

As a Substation Relay Communication Tech, you will be responsible for system protection and communication work critical to maintaining the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the high voltage electric distribution system. This role involves the testing, maintaining, and installation of substation protective relays and communication equipment. Working closely with engineering staff, this position plays a key role in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of construction standards, material specifications, and electric service standards. This is a journeyman position, and the ideal candidate will bring experience in relay testing, switching, electrical troubleshooting, print reading, experience with SCADA systems, and various communication equipment. This is a technical field position that prioritizes the solving of complex issues related to substation equipment while ensuring minimal downtime, optimal system performance, with a focus on safety and teamwork.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
Installs, tests, repairs, maintains and/or calibrates protective relay equipment, SCADA equipment, transducers and related equipment, including coordination of operation.Installs and terminates control, metering, and wiring related to protective relay switchboards and substation electrical equipment.Diagnoses and repairs electronic and electromechanical components used in SCADA, telemetry and relay equipment.Develops and maintains documentation related to substation maintenance and operational procedures.Provides input to budget development, prepares budget documents, and authorizes equipment purchases.Assists with specifications, installation, and maintenance of telephone, radio and fiber optic communications to SCADA, and specific substation equipment.Specifies equipment to interface SCADA with other equipment, systems, and networks.Provides training, maintenance, and troubleshooting assistance for SCADA and substation systems.Provides technical management of Light and Power's 900 MHZ radio communication system.Participates in NERC audits and performs testing of relays and relay protection schemes to meet NERC requirements.Provides project management functions such as vendor and contractor coordination, reporting, scheduling, inspection, testing, and final commissioning.Performs high voltage switching when required.
Management Responsibilities

No

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