Hydroelectric Dam Safety Engineer, (Senior, Staff, or Entry)

Xcel Energy•Eau Claire, WI

33d•$68,300 - $126,134

About The Position

Xcel Energy has an exciting opportunity within Renewable Generation. Work with engineering staff to support the reliable and efficient operations of Xcel Energy's hydroelectric renewable generation assets working as an engineer performing various tasks related to dam safety. As the Dam Safety Engineer, duties would include dam safety inspections, instrumentation and performance review, risk evaluation, emergency action planning, and technical report writing and review. Candidate will also be a technical advisor for major projects for plans and specifications review, bidding/procurement process, and construction to ensure dam safety through the whole project. The candidate must demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead problem solving efforts related to dams and hydroelectric facilities. Candidate will work closely with departments within Xcel Energy such as Hydro Operations and Energy Supply Projects and interface with federal agencies. This position is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The candidate must have the ability to travel to various hydroelectric facilities as needed throughout northwestern Wisconsin. The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the staff engineer level role. The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the entry and senior engineer levels. Position Summary Under general direction, demonstrates complete understanding & wide application of engineering technical principle, theories, & concepts in the field. Independently determines & develops approaches to solutions. Receives technical guidance on complex problems; completed work reviewed for adequacy in meeting objectives. May lead small-medium non-critical projects or critical projects under direction of higher level engineer/supervisor. May provide work direction to other professionals &/or staff. Represents the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects. Frequent inter-organizational & outside customer contact. Demonstrates a broad knowledge & proficiency of precedents in the specialty area, a good knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.

Requirements

Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, civil engineering, structural engineering.
0+ years relevant engineering experience Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
Preferred EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred.
Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited, civil engineering, structural engineering
2+year's relevant engineering experience. Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills & core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) strongly preferred.
Required bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET accredited curriculum, civil engineering, structural engineering.
5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE.
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level established & documented by the organization.
Preferred PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required depending on business need.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting dam safety inspections.
Proficiency in understanding FERC and Wisconsin State dam safety requirements.
Knowledge of dam instrumentation (piezometers, inclinometers, etc.).
Experience with emergency planning and failure mode analysis.
Knowledge of design, analysis and construction at hydroelectric facilities.

Responsibilities

Uses & applies technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, & techniques to perform activities/assignments that may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials or methods & difficult coordination requirements.
Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Utilizes & may assist with the development of procedures requiring a broad knowledge & proficiency in a specialty area & has a general knowledge of related disciplines.
Works under the general direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor for routine engineering projects. Provide ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, testing/diagnostics & Regulatory. May provide field engineering oversight &/or direction for activities such as commissioning, testing, inspections, etc.
May lead small-medium, non-critical projects. Coordinate/leads critical projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement support, installation & commissioning), under the direction of a higher level engineer or supervisor. Work reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
Under the direction of a higher level engineer/supervisor supports bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals; provide recommendations for selection, etc. Partners & communicates with areas such as Supply Chain & Legal following appropriate processes.
Frequently exchanges information in all formats, on matters having a wide range of importance & complexity both inter-organizationally & with outside customers.
May assign tasks & coordinate work of interns, drafters, technicians, craft personnel &/or others. Provide guidance & mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills & competencies.
Performs activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.