Electrical Technician

PG&E•Chico, CA

25d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an onsite, IBEW Local 1245-represented classification subject to collective bargaining. The Relay Protection Electrical Technician (Hydro) calibrates, installs, maintains, and operates protective relays and related equipment to support the safe, reliable, efficient, and NERC Reliability Standards-compliant operation of PG&E generating plants and transmission networks. The work involves complex troubleshooting, repair, overhaul, calibration, and maintenance of microprocessor and electromechanical relay systems, utility and substation protection systems, station automation, and SCADA systems. Electrical Technicians help operate and maintain hydroelectric powerhouses and related facilities, and support construction and project work to expand or replace infrastructure. Duties also include field testing protective relay equipment and associated carriers, supervisory equipment, station apparatus, instruments, control devices, and wiring. The role requires understanding electrical drawings and schematics, learning and applying technical materials, and maintaining work logs and test records. The work is predominantly outdoors and requires travel between sites during work hours. Employees may work at heights and around energized equipment and large, loud, vibrating machinery, in confined or awkward positions, and in extreme weather or remote locations. The role involves frequent movement on stairs, ladders, uneven terrain, and other surfaces, and exposure to wildlife, insects, chemicals, fuels, oils, acids, paints, and some substances identified in Proposition 65. Employees must drive safely, wear company-provided PPE, and may be required to work extended hours or transfer to a new headquarters or hydro facility upon request. The starting wage rate listed is $82.53 per hour. The position is subject to collectively bargained hourly wage rates and increases.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
Valid California Driver's License.
Ability to work in all types of weather extremes and drive safely in all weather and road conditions.
Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to lift 100 pounds at least once per day.
Ability to wear company-provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Previous Journeyman Electrical Technician experience, with at least two years of relay and control experience.
At least two years of experience testing protective relay equipment in a power station or high-voltage substation.
Certified journey-level Electrician.
Ability to work at heights, around energized equipment and large loud or vibrating machinery, and in confined or awkward positions.
Ability to travel between work locations during work hours and safely navigate stairs, ladders, uneven terrain, and other challenging surfaces.

Nice To Haves

Four-year degree in Electrical Engineering, or a two-year Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology plus two years of experience in relay and control.
Successful completion of an apprentice electrical technician program.
Demonstrated experience with electromechanical and microprocessor protective relay devices in substations or powerhouses.
Proficiency in understanding and deciphering electrical drawings and schematics.
Demonstrated ability to complete detailed, intricate work requiring hand-eye dexterity, such as work on circuit boards and meter and relay movements.
Ability to travel and transfer to new hydro facilities within the PG&E service region upon request.

Responsibilities

Install, field-test, and maintain protective relay equipment, relay carriers, supervisory equipment, station apparatus, instruments, remote and local control devices, and associated wiring.
Read electrical prints, including schematics (elementaries) and connection diagrams.
Calibrate electromechanical and microprocessor relays, including distance, directional overcurrent, overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, differential, frequency, phase unbalance, negative sequence, and loss-of-excitation relays.
Test current transformers, including saturation, primary and secondary current ratio, voltage ratio, and insulation resistance tests.
Test power and potential (instrument) transformers, including polarity, transformer turn ratio, voltage ratio, insulation resistance, oil dielectric, oil acidity, sudden pressure, and moisture tests.
Test transducers, including voltage, watt, var, current, and millivolt types.
Pack and move tools, parts, and equipment; lift, carry, and install items weighing up to 100 pounds on mountainous terrain and at dams, canals, stairways, and ladders.
Use required safety equipment, including eye, ear, foot, and hand protection and fall protection equipment.
Work safely around chemicals, fuels, solvents, oils, acids, paints, and other identified substances.
Work with other technicians to test and install equipment.
Record and file test results.
Operate a company vehicle.
Follow PG&E safety standards and procedures at all times.