Position Purpose and Objectives:
Under the supervision of the System Engineering Director, the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Engineer I/II/III/Sr performs engineering, coordination, and project management duties related to United Power’s electric distribution system (12.47 to 69kV), transmission assets (115 to 230kV), market interconnections, generation resources, SCADA systems, and operational technology.
This position serves as a technical bridge between distribution engineering, transmission planning, power supply, market operations, regulatory compliance, system operations, and external transmission/market entities. The T&D Engineer supports the safe, reliable, cost-effective, and compliant operation and development of United Power’s electric system, including distribution facilities, transmission interconnections, substations, distributed energy resources, generation interconnections, and market-facing assets.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
T&D Engineer I
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T&D Engineer I is the entry-level position in the T&D Engineer series. Under close to general supervision and within established policies, standards, and procedures, incumbents perform engineering, technical, analytical, and administrative tasks of limited to moderate complexity.
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Assignments are generally well-defined and reviewed frequently while in progress and upon completion. Work may include support of distribution and transmission engineering, SCADA and OT data review, project documentation, outage or reliability analysis, interconnection support, and coordination with internal departments.
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This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer II by the routine nature of assignments, the limited complexity of work, and the level of supervision received.
T&D Engineer II:
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T&D Engineer II is the intermediate career-level classification in the T&D Engineer series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform engineering, technical, analytical, and project-related duties of moderate complexity requiring independent judgment.
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Assignments are provided in general terms and are reviewed periodically during and after completion. Work may include distribution and transmission system analysis, transmission/interconnection support, SCADA and OT data analysis, project design, coordination with external entities, and support of market or regulatory activities.
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This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer I by increased assignment complexity, broader technical responsibility, and greater independence.
T&D Engineer III:
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T&D Engineer III is a fully proficient classification in the T&D Engineer series. Under minimal supervision, incumbents perform complex engineering, coordination, and project management assignments requiring independent judgment, technical expertise, and creative problem-solving.
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Assignments may involve distribution and transmission design, major interconnection projects, market-related operational coordination, SCADA integration, capital project development, regulatory support, and coordination with transmission providers, market operators, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
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This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer II by the complexity and independence of assignments. It is distinguished from the Senior T&D Engineer by the Senior classification’s responsibility for the most complex assignments, strategic initiatives, program leadership, mentoring, and representing United Power in higher-level technical, market, and regulatory forums.
Senior T&D Engineer:
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Senior T&D Engineer is the advanced-level classification responsible for highly complex and critical engineering assignments with significant impact on system reliability, market participation, interconnection strategy, regulatory compliance, capital planning, SCADA design, and OT networking and long-term system development.
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Working under very minimal supervision, incumbents exercise broad discretion and independent judgment to develop innovative solutions, establish technical standards, lead major projects, mentor other engineers and technical staff, and represent the Cooperative in high-level technical, regulatory, transmission, and market forums.
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This classification is distinguished from T&D Engineer III by its strategic scope of work, technical leadership responsibilities, and involvement in complex cross-functional initiatives spanning distribution, transmission, market, SCADA, regulatory, and power supply functions.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
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Perrform engineering analysis and technical evaluations for United Power distribution, substation, transmission, and interconnection facilities.
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Provide technical support for market-facing resources, generation interconnections, transmission service requests, distributed energy resources, and power supply initiatives. This includes existing small to medium-sized distributed generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar on United Power’s system.
- Support design, construction, operation, and improvement of electric facilities with emphasis on safety, reliability, cost effectiveness, system resilience, and member satisfaction.
- Assist in analyzing distribution circuits, substations, and transmission interconnections to identify capacity, voltage, reliability, protection, operational, and power quality concerns.
- Ensure compliance with NERC transmission requirements through accurate documentation and analysis.
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Interface with transmission providers, market operators, generation owners, regulatory entities, consultants, contractors, and neighboring utilities as needed.
- Regularly prepares detailed studies related to various components of transmission and distribution facilities. Using the current software available to the utility, prepares studies such as: Fault, System Coordination, Arc Flash, Load flows, Voltage Drop, and Power Factor Correction
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Support the specification, development, and documentation of equipment ratings for substation, transmission, and distribution devices.
- Represent United Power in engineering, technical, market, and operational forums, including working groups associated with transmission operators, regional transmission organizations, reliability entities, and regulatory bodies.
- Works closely with the Operation Technology (OT) Administrator, Electronic Technicians, and other Engineers to support OT networks (fiber optics, wireless, microwave, and cellular radio) and Distribution Automation (DA) design, installation, and commissioning.
- Assist with the design, maintenance, and operation of the SCADA system, including Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and Outage Management System (OMS), including SCADA system configuration, point mapping, data validation, alarming, telemetry review, operational displays, and integration of new field devices or facilities.
- Support evaluation of future generation, storage, distributed energy resources, and load-serving options from an engineering, interconnection, operational, and market perspective.
- Coordinate with Power Supply, Operations, Engineering, Regulatory, Finance, Member Services, and other internal departments on system needs, project impacts, market considerations, and operational requirements.
- Use SCADA, GIS, AMI, outage management, meter data, engineering models, Python, SQL, and other tools to analyze system performance and support engineering decisions.
- Prepare, review, and revise one-line diagrams, circuit maps, schematic drawings, relay/control diagrams, switching diagrams, and other technical documentation.
- Perform project engineering and project management duties for distribution, substation, transmission, SCADA, communications, interconnection, and operational technology projects.
- Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, material requirements, technical specifications, construction packages, and engineering recommendations.
- Provide engineering support for outages, switching, system emergencies, abnormal operating conditions, and post-event analysis as needed.
Working Conditions:
Seventy percent (70%) of the T&D Engineer's work is completed indoors. Thirty percent (30%) of the work is done outdoors while exposed occasionally to extreme cold, extreme heat, and wet/humid conditions.
The noise level is estimated to be fifty to sixty (50-60) decibels.
T&D Engineers are occasionally exposed to hazards such as airborne dust, sunlight, and odors. Various mechanical and electrical hazards are present, including the risk of electric shock and burns.
Supervision Received and Exercised:
Reports to the System Engineering Director. No Supervisory Duties. May mentor or direct the work of lower-level engineers, administrative staff, or student interns.
Problem Solving:
Provides technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with United Power objectives.
Discretion/Latitude:
Works under general direction. Independently determines and develops an approach to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.
Liaison:
Frequent inter-organizational and outside member contacts. Represents United Power in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Knowledge of electric utility engineering principles, including distribution systems, substations, transmission interconnections, protection, reliability, and system operations.
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Ability to understand and apply electrical engineering standards, theories, concepts, practices, and techniques.
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Ability to read, interpret, prepare, and revise one-line diagrams, circuit maps, electrical schematics, control diagrams, and construction drawings.
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Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with technical and non-technical audiences.
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Ability to collaborate effectively with internal departments, external utilities, market entities, regulatory bodies, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
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Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders.
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Ability to analyze data, identify problems, develop alternatives, and recommend practical solutions.
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Ability to learn and develop proficiency in engineering analysis software, SCADA systems, GIS, AMI, outage systems, databases, and programming tools.
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Ability to react productively to change and handle additional duties as assigned.
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Strong attention to detail, documentation, safety, reliability, and compliance.
T&D Engineer I: Demonstrated ability to learn, assist, and support:
T&D Engineer II: Demonstrated ability to apply, coordinate, and work independently:
T&D Engineer III: Demonstrated ability to lead, evaluate, make recommendations, and direct:
Senior T&D Engineer: Demonstrated ability to strategize, mentor, and represent United Power:
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Knowledge of electric distribution and transmission engineering, including design, protection, voltage regulation, reliability, construction practices, operations, transmission service, facility ratings, interconnections, and regional reliability requirements.
- Knowledge of SCADA systems, operational technology, telemetry, controls, alarming, utility communications, operational data, engineering models, and system analysis tools.
- Knowledge of GIS, AMI, outage data, load data, and engineering databases.
- Knowledge of transmission interconnections, market operations, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and regulatory coordination and requirements.
- Ability to perform data analysis, model development, and engineering automation using tools such as Python, SQL, Excel, or similar applications.
- Ability to coordinate and lead projects involving engineering, operations, field crews, consultants, contractors, vendors, and external entities.
- Ability to prepare and review technical reports, cost estimates, project scopes, schedules, standards, procedures, and long-term recommendations.
- Ability to evaluate system risks, operational impacts, market implications, and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to provide technical direction, mentor staff, and perform technical review.
- Ability to communicate technical, operational, market, and regulatory information effectively to leadership and external stakeholders, and represent the organization in external forums.
Minimum Requirements:
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Must hold a valid Colorado driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one.
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Must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited* program.
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
T&D Engineer I:
AND applicable experience in an engineering function.
T&D Engineer II:
AND at least three (3) years’ engineering experience and/or demonstrated ability to perform intermediate-level functions relevant to the position with reduced supervision.
T&D Engineer III:
AND at least seven (7) years’ engineering experience and/or demonstrated ability to perform advanced-level functions relevant to the position with minimal supervision.
Sr T&D Engineer:
AND at least ten (10) years’ engineering experience and/or demonstrated ability to perform advanced-level functions relevant to the position with minimal supervision.
Desired Qualifications:
Professional Engineer (PE) registration is desired but not required.
Essential Physical and Mental Requirements:
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Seventy percent (70%) of the time is spent sitting, twenty percent (20%) walking, and another ten percent (10%) standing. May occasionally need to lift forty pounds (40 lbs.) Carrying, pushing, and pulling up to twenty-five pounds (25 lbs.) occasionally when using a tool chest or handling meters.
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Occasionally, balancing, climbing, handling, and the ability to feel objects will be necessary during line changes, line extensions, new substations, and substation improvements.
- Frequently, it is necessary to be able to stoop, kneel, and crouch.
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Talking to exchange ideas and to communicate with other employees in various offices is done constantly with ordinary tones. Constantly needs to hear ordinary conversation and the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
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Constantly need to see “near” to prepare circuit diagrams and schematic drawings. It is constantly necessary to see far while driving. Depth perception is essential to driving. Eye accommodation and field of vision are necessary to perform detailed work and maintain safety factors.
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Mental abilities constantly necessary to competently perform the job are alertness, precision, ingenuity, problem solving, analytic ability, persuasiveness, auditory discrimination, speaking ability, memory, creativity, concentration, judgment, writing ability, reasoning, imagination, initiative, patience, and visual discrimination. Abilities the job will require only occasionally are spatial perception, tactile discrimination, olfactory discrimination, and aesthetic sense.
NOTE: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other job responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.
Management reserves the right to change position descriptions, specifications, or work schedules to accommodate individuals with disabilities or as needed.
This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Typical hiring range:
Level I: $91,300 - $101,830 annually, with a maximum of $112,360
Level II: 19: $97,700 - $114,150 annually, with a maximum of $130,600
Level III: 21: $119,800 - $143,185 annually, with a maximum of$166,570
Level Sr: 22: $134,900 - $164,950 annually, with a maximum of $195,000
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes an employee retirement plan, 401K with match, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. For a full list of benefits, please visit our careers page at https://www.unitedpower.com/careers.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Screening Notice: This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening, consistent with Colorado law and federal regulations. Applicants should be aware that a positive drug test—including for marijuana—may disqualify them from employment, as permitted under Colorado law. Additional information about our drug-testing policy will be provided during the hiring process.
United Power is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. United Power prohibits discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, military or veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.
