VELCO
Manager, Protection and Control Engineering | Full Time
Category: Engineering
Location: 366 Pinnacle Ridge Road, Rutland, VT, USA
Serve at the heart of grid transformation amidst stunning scenery and a safe, supportive environment. Vermont Electric Power (VELCO) is seeking a Manager Protection and Control Engineering to join our Team. VELCO is committed to the safety of our people, grid reliability and creating a sustainable Vermont. We are a for-profit company with a cooperative-like financial structure that returns profits to customers. Our owners are among the most innovative utilities in the world. In addition to our transmission assets, VELCO owns and operates a statewide fiber optic network and a statewide radio network. Our engineering team comprises power system engineers, protection and control engineers and civil engineers. The team works with System Planning, System Operations, Telecommunications, Compliance and our field services departments. We are engaged in innovative digitization work with two National Labs, operate in a state with a 40% renewable power mix, and are collaborating with national partners on policy-driven transmission projects. If serving on a highly nimble, cohesive team willing to adapt processes and utilize new tech to accelerate a changing grid appeals to you, please apply!
Why you should join our team
The Manager of Protection and Control Engineering is responsible for managing the Electrical Engineering staff in the planning, engineering, design, specification, analysis, studies, and coordination for: system protection, teleprotection, controls, instrumentation, revenue metering, remote SCADA, fault monitors/recorders, primary apparatus (power transformers, breakers and etc.), secondary (AC and DC systems), short circuit coordination studies and development of protection settings and system ratings.
VELCO’s electrical engineering staff consists of substation electrical engineers, protection/relay engineers, and drafting technicians. Affiliated engineering disciplines within the engineering family include substation civil engineering and transmission line engineering that report to the Director of Engineering.
How you will make an impact
Technical Responsibilities
Protection and Control Discipline includes design, specification, analysis and change management of the following:
• Protective relaying, revenue and telemetering, SCADA, Digital fault Recorders, PMU, Communications Aided and Teleprotection systems.
• Work with maintenance departments in the development and maintenance of testing and commissioning standards.
• Development and maintenance of substation equipment specifications and electrical design templates/standards.
• Maintaining detailed VT Master short circuit model, relay settings/basis, line constants and Thermal rating databases.
• SME support for NERC PRC, FAC and CIP reliability compliance standards.
• CAD/Drafting Discipline includes the responsibility for the company substation and transmission drawings and facility drawing records.
• Support Director of Engineering in the management, supervision and resource planning for the operational, budgetary, and financial activities of the Electrical Engineering Department.
• Responsible for electrical department design standards, quality assurance and training.
• Manage the procurement, coordination and scheduling of contracted engineering firms performing design services for VELCO.
• Lead department learning opportunity reviews and manage resulting process improvement initiatives.
• Work with internal VELCO departments to define the engineering scope, schedule and budget cost objectives for capital and annual expense projects.
• Oversee analytical guidance to the system planning staff with regard to the transmission element modeling data (e.g. thermal ratings, impedances, voltage control settings) of bulk transmission system facilities.
• Oversee engineering support and analytical guidance to the VELCO system operators, SCADA/EMS team, IS/IT, field technical personnel, and the Vermont distribution utilities.
• Oversee the commissioning of new and upgraded substations and their subsystems, on both large and small projects to ensure that systems have been installed and commissioned per VELCO’s Protection and Controls Commissioning Process.
• Oversee engineering support with VELCO System Operations and VELCO Projects to develop construction sequencing and commissioning documentation for system modifications and upgrades.
• Oversee training of maintenance technicians and system operators for new system installations and/or changes to the system, as required.
• Oversee engineering support to the safety department. This shall include, but not limited to, the performance of arc flash studies, the analysis of safe work practices such as grounding, and reviewing the impact of new OSHA, NFPA 70E, NESC and NEC standards on current work practices, all in collaboration with the safety department and field supervisors.
• Oversee analysis of protective relay system operations resulting from system disturbances, and
explain results to VELCO Operations personnel and others requiring this information.
Managerial Responsibilities
• Strive to create a work group culture that is consistent with VELCO’s mission, vision and values.
• Lead staff to meet VELCO’s expectations for productivity, quality, safety and continuous improvement, while operating in accordance with corporate and departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintain understanding of personnel-related laws and regulations and internal policies and procedures sufficient to compliantly manage assigned workers.
• Maintain employee work schedules, including: assignments, vacations and sick time, and overtime scheduling and authorization. Ensure timecards are completed accurately, in a timely manner and in compliance with internal rules and wage and hour laws.
• As vacancies occur work with leadership and Human Resources to recruit, interview, select, hire, and onboard new employees.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff including identifying training/educational and career development opportunities.
• Provide effective performance feedback through the Performance Evaluation process and other formal and informal mechanisms, including goal setting, feedback, and performance development. When performance issues arise take appropriate disciplinary action, under the direction of leadership and Human Resources.
• Provide input on salary decisions in alignment with VELCO’s salary administration procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Who you are
To thrive in this role, you should have A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is required. Educational or work experience in Electrical Power Systems with an emphasis on power systems is preferred, as is a Registered Professional Engineering Licensure from the State of Vermont.
The Protection and Control Engineering Manager will typically have greater than 10 years’ engineering experience in electrical transmission engineering with a proven track record of managing projects, leading design teams and mentoring associate level personnel. Familiarity with operational, financial, quality assurance, electric reliability, cyber security, and human resource procedures.
The fine print
Excellent communication skills, i.e. verbal, writing, analytical, interpretive, project management and leadership skills required. This position is a hands on positions with manager leading/guiding the evolution of company design standards, engineering’s use of technology and work processes to keep pace with the changing grid demands. Basic understanding of engineering concepts and tools used in substation and transmission line design is preferred. Such knowledge shall include following examples:
• Understanding of power system electrical engineering principles, practices, and tools.
• Working knowledge with computer-assisted design (CAD), Aspen or equivalent short circuit modelling software, PSSE or PLSF, and other design, data recording, and analyzation software.
• Proficient in MS Office suite of programs
• Understanding of NESC, NEC and OSHA safety regulations related to assigned projects
• Understanding of communications networks and associated protocols
• Working knowledge of modern microprocessor protective relays and their software packages, i.e. Schweitzer and GE-UR relays and engineering software.
• Ability to identify and solve complex problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to be both creative and analytical.
NOTE: VELCO’s headquarters are located in Rutland, Vermont. This is a hybrid position and the expectation is that the incumbent will spend at least two days per week onsite and more as needed.
Important Considerations
Must maintain an awareness of and comply with, all company and VOSHA safety requirements.
Physical/Mental Demands:
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to travel to various project sites.
• Must be able to access and navigate job sites and construction areas.
• Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex, analytical work, in potentially stressful situations, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions.
Deadline:
To Apply:
Please apply via the job posting on our careers page.
