Under the direction of the Director of Engineering or designee, the Generation Services Engineer provides project management, engineering, and applications support to the NCPA geothermal, hydroelectric, and combustion turbine power plants. This position plans, organizes, develops guidelines and directs engineering, technical, and economical analysis for the Generation Services (GS) department, coordinates regulatory requirements for GS department, and ensures uniformity, security, and organization of the computerized tools across the Agency plants and field offices. This position may also undertake special projects as assigned by and through the Director of Engineering. The level of supervision will be dependent upon the incumbent’s classification level but all levels will perform a variety of assigned complex technical and professional work.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Levels I-IV:
This position requires the incumbent to report for work on time and maintain satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policy; Ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrive to meetings and appointments on time; Perform special assignments for the Director of Engineering or others as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Manage and/or assist with power plant improvement projects and initiatives. Conduct feasibility analysis and justification; prepare plan and budget.
Prepare design and construction requirements/standards, equipment procurement specifications, construction specifications and drawings, operation and maintenance procedures, test procedures, and safety procedures. Solicit bids, evaluate and select vendors, coordinate and manage installation, and closeout according to agreed-upon plan and budget.
Completes assignments to improve plant performance, resource utilization, and business processes, provide system administration and end-user support for power generation-related software applications and support documentation systems related to state and federal regulatory compliance. Create and deliver training to Generation Services management, staff, and plant personnel on the various features, functionalities, and capabilities of generation-related software applications.
Utilize the plant real-time data historian and analysis applications to assess plant performance and operational effectiveness. Develop analytical, visualization, and decision support tools (e.g., customized displays, automated reports, asset modeling).
Apply failure analysis methodology to investigate incidents that cause “forced outages”, equipment malfunctions, failures, or performance degradation at plants.
Provide end-user support for computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), ensuring that users are properly trained and the application is used in an optimal fashion. Provide real time support for field application and use of CMMS in accordance with established and evolving work flows and processes.
Support compliance to NERC/WECC reliability standards where Generation Services is the standard “owner.” Assist in preparation, review, collection, and organization of compliance evidence and associated procedures. Work with cross-functional team to develop and maintain a solution for organizing compliance activities and associated documentation. Assist with audit preparation, self-certification, inquiries, and other regulatory compliance events with NERC Standard Owners, subject matter experts, staff/management, and compliance team.
Develop and maintain Generation Services document repository. Coordinate deployment and use by plant and other end users to ensure a common document management platform for documentation, collaboration, and workflows.
With the Information Systems department, plan and coordinate department system and network upgrades, backup/recovery procedures and requirements, and infrastructure requirements for future projects. Manage life cycle of generation-related software applications.
Level III-IV:
These are the journey person level(s) class within the Engineer series. Working with minimal direction, employees at this level perform the projects and troubleshooting assignments including maintenance and capital improvement projects from concept to completion. May lead capital projects including prioritizing work, giving project assignments, directing and reviewing work, and providing guidance and instruction to project personnel including professional engineering staff, other staff and contractors.
Analyze and implement technically and economically sound solutions to reduce operation interruptions and increase power plant and grid reliability.
Participate in the review and technical/economic analysis of new projects, develop specifications, and negotiate agreements with counter parties. Prepare periodic reports on progress and issues.
Coordinate regulatory requirements for the Generation Services department including but not limited to NERC, FERC, OSHA, CEC, etc.
Leads the Generation Services NERC Compliance Program. Ensure that all work is completed timely and proper records are maintained.
Provide verbal and written reports to ad hoc committees, working groups, etc., on industry best practices, current technologies, and regulatory impacts.
Investigate and determine methods to improve performance and efficiency of power systems including distribution systems and power generators. Conduct engineering and economic analyses for consideration.
Perform “root cause” analysis of incidents causing “forced outages”, equipment malfunction and failure at the power plants. Provide on-site plant technical support for electric auxiliary systems. Provide electric system support for Member city distribution system.
Provide support to the Director of Engineering - Generation Services, as needed, including approving expenditures, preparing reports, adherence to the NCPA policies and procedures, issuance of purchase orders, attendance at the meetings, etc.
Performs other related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level I:
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred) from an ABET accredited four-year college or university. An internship or experience from a Power Plant is desired. An Engineering in Training certificate is desired.
Level II:
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred) from an accredited four-year college or university. At least two (2) years of related experience, ideally developing, maintaining, and supporting systems used to support electric utility operations. An Engineering in Training certificate is desired.
Level III:
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred) from an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of three (3) years related experience, typically 5 years related experience and/or combination of experience and additional training. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable.
Level IV:
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical preferred) from an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of four (4) years related experience, typically 7 years related experience and/or combination of experience and additional training. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable and in some cases a requirement.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge:
Proficiency with MS Word and Excel. Experience with MS PowerPoint, MS Project, MS SharePoint, OSIsoft PI, CMMS, AutoCAD, and relational databases (e.g. MS Access) is desirable; Demonstrated application of business and systems analysis techniques, SQL, client- server and web base technology, and report writing tools is also desirable; Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations applicable to electric utility generator operators and generator owners; Conflict resolution techniques; Knowledge of utility industry, generation practices, and new developments; Understanding of electric generation plant control systems; Good technical knowledge of electrical terminology and applications.
Abilities:
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems; Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, and to understand the risk/reward economic tradeoffs; Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; Must have demonstrated ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers; Incorporating safety goals in work planning; Ability to prioritize work and projects.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid California Driver's License and insurance. Approximately 25% travel with occasional overnight trips to the NCPA power plants.
Levels I-II has no supervisory responsibilities. Levels III-IV may serve as a nonsupervisory specialist or supervisor. If acting as a supervisor, carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
California Professional Engineer’s license is preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work is predominately performed indoors in an office environment at a computer workstation where the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. On occasion, the employee may work in a power plant and be exposed to hot, wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; vibration, and risk of electrical shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
