Title: Relay Technician
General Information
ED3 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ED3 will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Definition
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required, assigned, and expected commensurate with the needs of the District. Each employee is responsible for their own safety and the safety of others in the workplace.
Job Summary
Under the direction of the Technical Services Manager, the Relay Technician is responsible for the installation, testing, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and commissioning of protective relays and associated protection and control systems throughout the District’s electrical system. The Relay Technician ensures the reliable operation of substations, transmission, and distribution protection schemes while supporting system reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Essential Functions
Responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:
· Conduct routine preventive maintenance and testing of electromechanical, solid-state, and microprocessor-based protective relays.
· Perform functional testing, end-to-end testing, trip testing, and commissioning checks for protective relays, breakers, control circuits, and associated protection systems.
· Maintain protection system databases, relay settings files, test records, and equipment maintenance histories.
· Download, upload, document, and verify relay settings in accordance with approved engineering settings and District procedures
· Work closely with Engineering staff to review protection schemes and improve system reliability and coordination.
· Assist with the installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of SCADA systems, RTUs, communications equipment, fiber optic systems, and substation automation equipment.
· Test and troubleshoot control wiring, DC circuits, breaker control circuits, lockout relays, alarms, annunciation, metering, and protection-related communications.
· Support Substation Technicians and line crews during system upgrades, outages, troubleshooting efforts, and emergency restoration activities.
· Review electrical drawings, one-line diagrams, protection schematics, control wiring diagrams, and construction plans.
· Redline drawings and provide accurate field markups for as-built records following construction, testing, or troubleshooting activities.
· Provide technical expertise regarding relay protection, coordination studies, and fault investigations.
· Assist with arc flash studies, protection coordination studies, and system reliability initiatives.
· Analyze relay targets, sequence-of-events records, oscillography, fault records, and disturbance data to support outage investigations and corrective actions.
· Respond to outages and emergency situations as required.
· Maintain a clean and safe work environment, including all Engineering Services facilities.
· Operate District vehicles, tools, test equipment, and electronic devices in a safe and responsible manner.
· Uphold the District Core Values: Safety, Integrity, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Respect.
· Perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
· Extensive knowledge of protective relay principles and power system protection practices.
· Knowledge of transmission, distribution, and substation protection schemes.
· Ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams, protection schematics, wiring diagrams, and construction drawings.
· Knowledge of AC and DC control systems, batteries, chargers, communications systems, and SCADA applications.
· Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
· Knowledge of power system fault analysis and relay coordination principles.
· Ability to follow verbal and written instructions safely and effectively.
· Ability to communicate effectively with employees, contractors, consultants, and vendors.
· Ability to learn and apply new technologies and protection system advancements.
· Strong computer skills, including relay software applications and Microsoft Office products.
· Ability to safely work around energized high-voltage equipment while following switching, clearance, lockout/tagout, and District safety procedures.
· Ability to maintain accurate records, test reports, inspection forms, and electronic documentation.
· Ability to exercise sound judgment during outage response, commissioning activities, and field troubleshooting.
Requirements
- Experience with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) protective relays and associated software.
- Experience with relay test equipment such as Omicron, Doble, or equivalent testing systems preferred.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and maintain a high degree of accuracy.
- Ability to distinguish colors for proper identification of wiring and schematic diagrams.
- Ability to bend, stoop, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces when required.
- Ability to move materials and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds with or without assistance.
- Ability to work outdoors under Arizona summer temperatures and varying weather conditions.
- Must live within a 30-mile radius of the assigned work location or be able to respond within the District’s established response-time requirement.
- Must possess a valid Arizona Driver License.
- Must be available for overtime, standby, call-out, and emergency response assignments as required.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain any District-required safety, substation access, or switching qualifications.
Physical Requirements:
- Must pass employment drug and alcohol screening test.
- Must be able to sit or stand for long periods.
- Must be able to walk over uneven surfaces, climb stairs and ladders, work in control houses and substations, and safely perform field duties in proximity to energized equipment.
- Must be able to use hand tools, test equipment, laptop computers, and communication devices for extended periods.
Education & Experience
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Completion of a certified Relay Technician, Substation Technician, Journeyman Lineman, or equivalent technical training program preferred.
- Five (5) years or more of electrical utility, substation, relay protection, or power systems experience preferred.
- Experience with SEL relays, relay testing, and protection system commissioning strongly preferred.
- Associate degree or technical certificate in Electrical Technology, Electronics, Power Systems, Instrumentation, or a related field preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and directly related experience may be considered.
Work Environment
- Various work sites, including electrical substations, switching stations, control houses, and field locations.
- Requires work in close proximity to energized electrical equipment and high voltages; safety awareness and adherence to established procedures are essential.
- May require occasional overtime, call-outs, and emergency response work outside normal working hours.
- Work may involve exposure to heat, dust, noise, inclement weather, electrical hazards, confined spaces, and construction environments.
- Personal protective equipment shall be worn as required by District policy and applicable safety standards.
· Must be able to lift and move 50lbs at any given time.
Drug and Alcohol Statement
To promote the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve, Electrical District No. 3 (ED3) is committed to maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free work environment. Although marijuana may be legal under Arizona law, except as otherwise specified under applicable law, ED3 considers marijuana to be an illegal drug for purposes of its drug and alcohol policy because it remains illegal under federal law. Any candidate found to be impaired during the hiring process, or who has the presence of an illegal drug or unauthorized substance in their system during a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, may be disqualified from further consideration for employment.
Work Authorization
All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
At this time, Electrical District No. 3 (ED3) does not sponsor employment.
Pay: $32.18 - $60.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
