Transmission Relay Technician I or Learner Relay Technician

Duke Energy Corporation•Greensboro, NC

About The Position

Duke Energy is hiring for its Relay Technician career path, which supports safe and reliable electric operations through hands-on work with relay construction and maintenance, protective systems, controls, communications, and substation equipment. Depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications, the hiring manager may fill the position at a higher level within the job hierarchy. A Learner Relay Technician works under direct oversight alongside experienced technicians while developing the technical knowledge and independence needed to advance. The role includes learning safe work practices, relaying and protective schemes, controls, alarms, distribution SCADA, communications, isolation procedures, print reading and red-marking, RTS and ASPEN, NERC compliance, troubleshooting, CT and VT circuits, and carrier and tone equipment. It also involves maintaining records, communicating effectively, building working relationships, and participating in after-hours work and call-out rotation as required. A Transmission Relay Technician I performs more complex technical work with minimal oversight, assists higher-level technicians, guides lower-level technicians when appropriate, and leads small activities of low-to-moderate complexity. The role includes planning and organizing construction activities; writing, reviewing, and executing isolation procedures; testing and troubleshooting relays and P&C circuits; commissioning circuits; working with fiber-optic, SCADA, communications, and annunciator systems; supporting temporary equipment installations; documenting tests for NERC and/or SERC requirements; and serving as a lead in a call-out role. The technician is expected to recognize limitations, seek assistance when needed, maintain accurate records, and develop leadership and technical skills. The position requires a valid state driver’s license, the ability to pass applicable background checks, and the ability to lift and carry 50 pounds for 100 feet. It also has an essential weight restriction of 275 pounds for safe use of weight-rated equipment. Travel is 5–15%. Relocation assistance is not provided. This is not a visa-sponsored position, and the employee must be able to work lawfully in the United States without employment-based immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Requirements

Valid state driver's license.
Ability to pass any required background check for NERC/CIP/Nuclear compliance.
Ability to pass the appropriate level of Duke aptitude test (Learner Relay Technician).
Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds for 100 feet.
Learner Relay Technician education/experience: Associate degree in Engineering Technology or equivalent; or high school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years of related relay/substation experience; or equivalent job-related and educational experience.
Transmission Relay Technician I education/experience: Associate degree in Engineering Technology or equivalent plus 1 year of related relay/substation experience; or high school diploma or equivalent plus 3 years of related relay/substation experience.
Ability to meet the essential job weight restriction of 275 pounds.
Ability to work lawfully in the United States without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Responsibilities

Follow safe work practices, contribute to a strong safety culture, identify safety concerns, and help eliminate safety issues.
Learn and apply Human Performance Tools and requirements.
Develop knowledge of relaying, protective schemes, controls, alarms, distribution SCADA, communications, and substation equipment.
Write, review, and execute isolation procedures; read prints; and learn or apply the red-mark process.
Develop familiarity with RTS, ASPEN, reporting, NERC compliance, and accurate, timely documentation.
Apply troubleshooting and methodical problem-solving skills, including work with CT and VT circuits.
Maintain accurate records and files and communicate effectively with coworkers.
Organize construction activities and develop implementation plans.
Use drawings and field conditions to identify and correct design errors that could affect scheme operation.
Isolate and test relays using RTS routines and lead small, low-risk projects involving differential, breaker-failure, line, and distance relaying.
Test and troubleshoot P&C circuits, CTs, VTs, CCVTs, and CVTs.
Operate phase-angle meters, relay test sets, fiber-optic test sets, carrier test sets, ground detectors, and CT testers independently at the Technician I level.
Apply knowledge of carriers, tone equipment, traps, and tuners.
Support installation of portable or mobile substations, transformers, and other temporary equipment.
Query ASPEN and independently commission circuits with DCC.
Terminate and test fiber-optic cables.
Work with SCADA systems, modems, SEL2032s, UniOP, SEL2411s, and station annunciator and alarm packages.
Follow company policies and procedures for NERC and/or SERC requirements and document test results accurately and on time.
Understand Blocking Guidelines (CarWest).
Participate in after-hours work and call-out rotation as required; serve as lead in a call-out role at the Technician I level.
Recognize limitations, avoid assumptions, and stop work to seek assistance when needed.
Build positive working relationships, strengthen technical and professional skills, and demonstrate developing leadership.
Provide leadership to lower-level technicians and support company goals while representing the company positively and professionally.
Meet or exceed Learner Relay Technician requirements and demonstrate the ability to pass panel review for the Technician I level.