JOB TITLE: Technician, Relay
Location: North Fort Myers, FL
Work Hours: 7:00am – 3:30pm, M-F plus some irregular hours when needed (pursuant to the CBA)
Our benefits include:
- Sign-on Bonus $10,000
- Company-wide annual incentive plan
- Medical, vision and dental insurance
- 401(k) plan with a generous 6% company match
- Company funded Pension Plan
- On-site wellness/medical facility
- Company paid Short & Long-Term Disability insurance
- Health Savings Account with an employer contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Wellness program with financial rewards
- Tuition reimbursement
- Group life insurance
- Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
LCEC provides reliable, cost-competitive electricity to more than 250,000 members throughout a five-county service territory located in Southwest Florida. We employ approximately 485 skilled employees and are one of more than 900 electric distribution cooperatives located throughout the United States. LCEC has been recognized locally and statewide as an industry leader and continually receives acknowledgment for the work that our employees do in the community along with other civic, environmental and professional honors.
Position Summary: This position is responsible for installing, calibrating, troubleshooting, and maintaining all transmission and distribution relay control systems and associated equipment.
Position Responsibilities
- This position is responsible for calibrating, installing, testing, commissioning, and maintaining protective relays and associated equipment which will ensure the efficient, safe, reliable and NERC compliant operation of LCEC’s electric substations and transmission network.
- Must be able to understand and work within LCEC and OSHA safety standards.
- Abide by all LCEC safety policies and guidelines.
- Must have a working knowledge of various manufacturers’ protective equipment and test instruments in regard to substation and transmission line operation.
- Must be familiar with NERC Reliability Standards that apply to LCEC substations and transmission network.
- Must be proficient in electrical mathematics and possess a solid understanding of power flow.
- Ability to work independently on complex relay schemes and in a team environment to accomplish goals and meet deadlines; to manage stress and pressure in a frequently changing environment.
- Perform function testing of substation control circuits on relay panel, transformers, and circuit breakers.
- Perform end-to-end testing routines with confirmation of proper protection and control design.
- Examine relay settings and logic equations for confirmation of system operation in accordance with design.
- Perform end-to-end relay testing using relay test software and analyze the operation of the relay based on the fault type run.
- Assist with developing written standard commissioning, testing and maintenance procedures for protective relaying.
- Examine relay settings and logic equations for confirmation of system operation in accordance with design.
- Redline electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
- Develops and summarizes test results and relaying records for associated equipment and trouble reports.
- Must act with a sense of urgency to troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical problems related to protective relays and control circuits, while under pressure to quickly restore power to large segments of LCEC’s customer base.
- Participate in a rotating 24/7 on-call schedule.
- Must be able to assume a lead position to coordinate efforts of others during a substation outage and advise System Operations of progress to restore substation functionality.
- Must be able to perform work of significant difficulty involving all types of protective relay equipment under limited supervision. The employee will have significant latitude for planning work details.
- Must be able to identify and plan relay specific work and coordinate with others within the organization (including System Operations, Engineering and the Substation Dept.) to successfully execute.
- Provide mentoring to technicians at equal or lower steps. The department supervisor may, at his/her discretion, identify or create these mentoring opportunities.
- Maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels within LCEC. Ensure smooth operations, productive communications, and effective understanding during all interpersonal contacts. Provide current and accurate information to all requesters, courteously and in a timely manner.
- Work in emergency storm situations (i.e. hurricanes) and work long hours (>12 hours per day) for many continuous days/weeks as needed.
Education
- HS diploma or equivalent (Required) and
- An associate’s degree or a two-year technical or trade school certificate of completion in substation relaying maintenance, electronics, electrical engineering technology (Required) or
- Documented completion of a 4-year utility relay technician apprenticeship program, equivalent to journey-level certification. (Required)
Experience
- Four years on-the-job field experience in relay protection at an electric utility or 2 years on-the-job experience with the education listed above. (Required)
- 2 years on-the-job experience with the education listed above. (Preferred)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Must possess general knowledge of utility protection schemes. (Required)
- Ability to work independently within one (1) year of job award. (Required)
- Ability to work irregular hours for assignment completion and flexibility to change scheduling and report to work on short notice during emergency situations and outside of regular assigned shift; ability to work overtime, on-call and availability to respond to callouts and maintain an acceptable callout response. (Required)
- Must live within a 45-minute commute from regular worksite. (Required)
- Must be able to travel daily within the service area; field work in an electrical substation environment with regular exposure to energized and de-energized equipment on voltages ranging up to 138kV; exposure to adverse weather conditions; and general office environment. (Required)
Licenses
- Must have and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. (Required)
Physical Demands and Working Environment: The physical demands and working environment characteristics described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical Demands: Standing Constantly,
Walking Constantly,
Lifting Constantly up to 50 lbs,
Carrying Constantly up to 50 lbs,
Pushing Constantly,
Pulling Constantly,
Climbing Constantly,
Balancing Constantly,
Stooping Constantly,
Kneeling Constantly,
Crouching Constantly,
Crawling Frequently,
Reaching Constantly,
Handling Constantly,
Grasping Constantly,
Feeling Constantly,
Talking Frequently,
Hearing Frequently,
Repetitive Motions Constantly,
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Constantly,
- Working Environment: Occasionally Extreme cold, Occasionally Extreme heat, Occasionally Humidity, Occasionally Wet, Frequently Noise, Frequently Hazards, Occasionally Temperature Change, Occasionally Atmospheric Conditions, Frequently Vibration.
STORM DUTY REQUIREMENTS.... Responding to storms will be considered a condition of employment: LCEC provides critical services to our community during an emergency. Employees are required to participate in the response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our LCEC members. Employees are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities. Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company's guidelines and procedures.
Please note that at the time a candidate is made a job offer, the candidate will be subject to a background check and a drug screening.
