Power Systems Technician

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

1d•$67,000•Onsite

About The Position

General Notes Who We Are We are “the power behind UT”. Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) provides reliable and cost-effective electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services for The University of Texas at Austin. We have more than 170 employees in five divisions: Utilities Operations; Utilities Distribution; Power Systems, Controls, and Operating Technology; Finance and Administrative Services; and Engineering and Technical Services. Who We Are Looking For We are seeking candidates who share the following core values: Safety: Commitment to the well-being of our fellow employees, ourselves, and the campus community. Respect: Treating everyone with fairness and dignity. Integrity: Transparency, honesty, trust and ethics in our work and our relationships. Reliability: Delivery of consistent, dependable, and uninterrupted services. Teamwork: Working together through cooperation, contribution, and the sharing of our knowledge. Excellence: Setting the highest standards through innovation, collaboration, forward-thinking, and stewardship. As a member of our team, you will be part of a globally recognized district energy system that serves a top-tier research university. We strive to provide a positive workplace culture that welcomes ideas, talent and perspectives – and we look forward to hearing from you! Learn more about Utilities and Energy Management . Your skills will make a difference. You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of Campus Operations staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has earning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to: Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%) Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities. Tuition assistance Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards Security sensitive; three-year driving record and criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Applicant required to successfully complete physical abilities testing to remove/replace a large manhole cover weighing 100 lbs and drag 10 ft.; push/pull 100 lbs resistance; lift/carry 90 lbs, lift one-45 lbs of weight up a ladder, kneeling work in confined spaces, and other tasks. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing checks. Must be able to work in all weather conditions. Work on call, and overtime as requested. Work on elevated structures. Purpose Provides advanced technical expertise in the evaluation, testing, and optimization of complex electrical power systems to ensure reliability, safety, and operational excellence.

Requirements

High School Diploma, or GED, and a Minimum of fve years in the electrical systems maintenance – relays protection, substation, distribution system, power generation, or similar fields.
Or Graduation with an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, Avionics, or an electronics/electrical-related field – plus one year of experience in the relay-protection, substation, distribution systems, power generation or similar fields.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license.
The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence.
If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

Nice To Haves

Five years experience at years of hands-on experience with: Protective relay systems, install and maintenance of substation equipment (breakers, transformers, switches), SCADA and remote control systems, and electrical metering.

Responsibilities

Interprets, applies, and implements advanced protective relay schemes, SCADA logic, and automation designs to ensure the safe, coordinated, and reliable operation of the campus medium-voltage distribution system.
Performs complex testing, calibration, and analysis of electro-mechanical and digital relays, power circuit breakers, and associated control and telemetry systems.
Diagnoses, repairs, and recommends modifications of protection and control circuitry to maintain proper system coordination and response under all operating conditions.
Installs Campus electrical metering and maintains documentation of meters and meter data for troubleshooting and billing purposes.
Recommends metering upgrades, including programming and documentation for automation retrofits of legacy systems, ensuring full integration with modern SCADA platforms and compliance with electrical standards.
Monitors and records the Campus distribution electrical system operating data, and recommends corrective measures.
Participates in meaningful discussions regarding suggested upgrades to switchgear equipment and conducts market research on best practices.
Reviews current industry standards and suggests preventive measures and enhancements of distribution system components.
Maintains records of work performed through the use of University CMMS (UT Works).
Completes assigned PMs and corrective work orders using automated maintenance program systems.
Works in conjunction with trades or craft personnel in support of systems within power plants, chilling stations, utility tunnels, or other underground utilities.
Performs repairs and diagnosis to equipment such as switches, breakers.
Orders, receives, and maintains inventory of materials, supplies and tools.
Informs appropriate personnel of unusual conditions, problems, or deficiencies and takes appropriate action.
Supervises compliance with standards of workmanship and safety.
Attends electrical distribution shop operation and maintenance training courses.
Assists with estimates of time and materials required for a job.
Reviews and evaluates submittal drawings of equipment.
Performs OJT of lower skill level personnel on distribution equipment operational and maintenance practices as required.
Cleans and maintains all equipment and work areas.
Informs appropriate personnel of unusual conditions, problems or deficiencies and takes appropriate action.
Identifies and reports safety hazards.
Maintains high level compliance with standards of workmanship and safety.
May attend staff meetings.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards typical to central plants, and utility distribution systems.
May be required to work in tunnels and manholes.
May be required to work extended shifts.
Follow all University and UEM safety policies and procedures, take required safety training, and identify and report safety hazards.
Perform work tasks in a safe manner, wear the proper personal protective equipment, and report near misses and incidents.
Abide by Utilities and Energy Management's set of core values: Safety, Respect, Integrity, Reliability, Teamwork, and Excellence.
Perform other related functions as assigned.
Attends staff, safety meetings, plant, and distribution shop equipment operation and maintenance training courses.
Trains fellow personnel on operational and maintenance procedures as required.
Required to carry University cell phone during work and on-call hours.
Drives a UT vehicle.
Maintains acceptable driving record as required by UT System Policy UTS157.

Benefits

UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:
Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities.
Tuition assistance
Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card
Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card