Relay Technician

Pedernales Electric Cooperative•Johnson City, TX

1d•$94,012 - $117,395•Onsite

About The Position

The Relay Technician maintains the integrity and reliability of the PEC Distribution System by maintaining, testing, and repairing protective devices that monitor the power system. The technician coordinates with multiple departments to ensure that power-system components work together to provide reliable energy. The role includes field engineering support, equipment commissioning and troubleshooting, technical recommendations, records maintenance, and response to outages and abnormal system conditions. The position is based at PEC Haley Road Offices, 302 Haley Road, Johnson City, Texas 78636, and includes rotating 24/7 call-duty. Starting base pay is $45.15, with KPI bonuses and competitive benefits; the midpoint of the pay range is $56.44. Starting base pay may be higher depending on experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. This position may require work beyond 40 hours per week and work in inclement weather and around medium-voltage environments.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a related field; directly related experience may substitute for education.
Five years of directly related experience.
Valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and a motor vehicle report that comply with PEC policy.
Knowledge of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and budgeting.
Knowledge of computer systems, including hardware and software use, relay-element programming, DNP programming for remotely operated equipment, data entry, and inspection-information processing.
Knowledge of electricity principles, safety practices, and codes.
Knowledge of electric power industry construction, regulatory, and switching standards.
Knowledge of testing equipment, including uF meter, RND meter, Hi-pot, Meg-Ohm, Turns Ratio, DLRO (Ductor), Primary Current Injection, and FLIR.
Skill in handling complex problems and resolving complaints or disputes; establishing and communicating metrics; managing time and changing priorities; and anticipating, identifying, analyzing, and resolving conflict and problems.
Ability to read, write, and understand technical instructions.
Ability to distinguish colors to identify electronic components and wiring.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to understand information communicated verbally and in writing.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, sitting or standing for long periods, and moving up to 50 pounds.
Availability for call-out duty and ability to travel.

Responsibilities

Test, commission, and troubleshoot protective relay schemes for distribution circuits, including transformer paralleling, power line carrier equipment, differential protection, over-current, under-frequency, synchronous, generation, and motor protection.
Test and maintain protective relay and control equipment current transformers, including assessing insulation condition, ratio, winding resistance, polarity, phase deviation, and excitation characteristics.
Operate, commission, and test low- and medium-voltage electrical equipment from 120V to 35kV, including transformers, voltage regulators, capacitors, switchgears, reclosers, and switches.
Provide field engineering support and training to journeyworkers and other departments on wiring and commissioning distribution equipment, protective relaying, and control systems.
Complete test forms and enter test results to maintain current records.
Troubleshoot and repair electrical and relay failures and make technical recommendations to electricians and area leadership, including 24/7 response as needed.
Implement setting changes to electromechanical, solid-state, and microprocessor relays.
Review, update, and maintain electrical schematic drawings, including A.C., D.C., wiring, and interconnect diagrams; check consistency with PEC design philosophy and make field corrections with minimal supervision.
Recommend engineering design changes to manufacturers’ equipment and implement them once approved.
Analyze PEC electrical-system operation after major disturbances and recommend appropriate system operation.
Repair electromechanical relay components, electronic circuit boards, and similar items.
Coordinate work across departments to minimize disruption to electric-system members and complete jobs safely and on time.
Perform rotating 24/7 call-duty to assess equipment condition during outages and respond to abnormal system conditions.
Perform work in inclement weather and around medium-voltage environments.
Operate PEC vehicles for business purposes in accordance with applicable laws and PEC policies and procedures.
Maintain driver eligibility with a valid Texas driver’s license and a driving record compliant with PEC policy.
Maintain the security of confidential information and stay current with technological advances.
Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance and perform other related duties as assigned.