Substation Technician

Department:
Technical Services

Reports to:

Supervisor, Substation and Transmission

Supervision Received:
Limited Supervision

Supervision Exercised:
None

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

• Assist in the coordination of new substation construction activities with contractors and Bluebonnet personnel.
• Be an active participant in all of the substation and transmission scheduled maintenance activities, repairs, and recordkeeping of substations performed by internal and external resources. (LCRA, Pike, etc.)
• Participates in the installation and removal of portable substations.
• Assist in the coordination of ongoing construction of contractors in substations and transmission lines.
• Communicate with the Supervisor to ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and to their satisfaction.
• Participate as a member of the departmental leadership team, promoting the development of team members, technical skills improvement, and a positive workplace environment.
• Responsible for inspection of completed jobs, ensuring jobs are built to Bluebonnet specifications.
• Ensures that completed job sheet or sheets are turned in with completed jobs.
• Checks job sheet(s) to material list and invoice to assure accuracy.
• Collect system load and voltage data for engineering.
• Install and repair overcurrent relays, microprocessor-based controls, and RTUs.
• Perform switching at the substation to restore power and for repairs and maintenance.
• Repair and replace all substation and special equipment as needed.
• Perform advanced line troubleshooting and solve intermittent problems.
• Read prints and perform construction of wiring of substation relay panels.
• Inform Stores of start dates for all jobs to ensure material will be available.
• Required to be on-call, available to work weekends, holidays, and non-standard hours as needed.
• Maintain professional working relationships with all employees, members, and vendors at all times.
• Maintain regular attendance; arrive at work on time and be ready to work.
• Use safe work practices at all times and in all situations.
• Must be able to appropriately handle confidential information and act within the practices established by the Bluebonnet Red Flag policy.

• Office equipment, including computer, printer, copier, fax, etc.
• May be required to drive a cooperative vehicle.
• Heavy equipment, including digger trucks, drilling equipment.
• According to established business need, must maintain a mobile phone and appropriate communications plan.

• Requires repetitive motion of hands and fingers, such as dialing and keyboarding.
• Heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit.
• Frequently required to climb, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Job requires close vision, distant vision, color vision, and depth perception.
• This job requires that an individual regularly drive a vehicle on both long and short trips and be able to travel alone if necessary.
• This job is normally outside with some occasional office work. Will be exposed to extreme weather, both hot and cold.
• There will be exposure to loud noises of chainsaws, chipper machines, and trenching equipment.
• May be required to travel by air with one or more night stays to attend training classes or seminars.

• Hours are consistent with normal business operations as well as employee and member requirements.
• Works outdoors 95% of the time in all types of weather conditions.
• Attendance at evening meetings, conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings, including overnight travel, may be required.
• Works at heights up to 100+ feet above ground.
• Works in no or low light conditions – using handheld lantern or spot lights.
• Works in potentially hazardous conditions caused by pets and wildlife in or near the work site.
• Works in areas with possible exposure to poison oak, poison ivy, and insect stings.

• 2 to 5 years of progressive responsibilities in the electrical utility line construction area.
• Successful completion of technical training events associated with substations and special equipment.

• Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License
• Must be certified in CPR, First Aid, AED and Blood-borne pathogens.
• Able to perform bucket rescue in required time.
• LCRA switching certification

• Basic knowledge and understanding of protective relays.
• Knowledge of basic electrical theory.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Must be able to interpret maps, construction reports, field notes, material list, staking sheets, and invoices.
• Basic knowledge of Cooperative policies and guidelines.
• Basic computer skills in the following applications: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, IVUE Connect time entry, and work order processing.
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a positive manner; focused on improvement or problem resolution in a constructive, positive, and professional manner.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Affirmative…