Utility Services Designer II

The Utility Services Designer II is responsible for preparing electrical and fiber cost estimates and plans for Capital and Maintenance Improvement Projects; interfacing with customers and contractors to prepare electrical and fiber estimates that provide service in accordance with approved plans and specifications, as related to the construction of residential and commercial electric and fiber facilities.  This includes, but is not limited to, assisting in ensuring that the District’s electric and fiber systems have adequate capabilities to serve existing and future loads in a reliable and economical manner.

Essential Functions:

·         Assist customers with questions and/or concerns regarding engineering activities.

·         Conduct field review of project site to determine project design constraints.

·         Prepare plans and specifications, staking sheet(s), and cost estimates for construction and maintenance of new and/or upgrade of electrical and/or fiber facilities. Determine requirements, perform records and easement searches; prepare work order folders, plans, and material lists for field construction, including related mapping activities.

·         Design conception and planning of fiber system infrastructure requirements.  Determine location and placement of fiber, terminal equipment, wireless access points, and other communications hardware. 

·         Review acceptable plans and specifications to meet approval requirements, and work with customers to achieve required corrections.

·         Design and stake electric distribution lines generally in accordance with the Rural Utility Service (RUS) [Rural Electrification Administration (REA)] Standards, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and related District Distribution Standards.

·         For both capital and maintenance activities, assist in the rehab, upgrade, or relocation of existing facilities, including related functions, as assigned.

·         Assist in updating and maintaining records for work orders, pole contacts, construction assemblies, easements, and system maps.

·         Create, and maintain map locations of terminal equipment, splicing points, and circuit traceability.

·         Update map with new equipment installed, new sites, stations, assemblies, and service points. Document connectivity and fiber splices.

·         Ensure that the District is in compliance with governmental (state, county and city) permitting for all overhead and underground installations.

·         Facilitate the obtaining of easements, licensing and other permitting processes for field equipment.

·         Verification of construction work for compliance with other applicable standards, codes, plans, and specifications.

·         Open transformers, junction boxes, hand holes, and switch cans in order to verify existing installations and check for future design.

·         Review pole attachment requests and perform pole loading calculations.

·         Survey and design new primary line additions for electrical and/or fiber and single phase to three phase upgrades for electrical.

·         Design subdivision back bone for electrical and/or fiber.

·         Develop and maintain electrical and fiber specification book and assemblies in NISC.

Requirements

• Completion of at least two (2) years of college level engineering courses in mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering, preferably electrical engineering in power systems, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.  Applicable experience may be accepted in lieu of education.
• A minimum of five (5) years of electrical distribution line construction experience or staking experience with distribution lines.
• NWPPA Staking Certification or Equivalent (must be completed within three (3) years)
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office tools – preferred.

·         Directly related knowledge of NESC, NEC and RUS/REA principles and standards as applied to the staking of distribution voltage systems.

·         Knowledge of principles and practices in the solution of engineering problems, as directly related to electric distribution systems.

·         Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with all levels in the organization as well as the general public, consultants and governmental agencies. 

·         Demonstrated abilities in basic surveying techniques and drafting protocol.

• Acquired flexibility in handling multiple assignments with changing priorities.
• Knowledge of survey tools, technology, and methods, including automated mapping systems – preferred.

·         Interpersonal skills including clear and concise communication both in writing and verbally.

·         Three (3) years as a Designer I or equivalent experience. 

Benefits

This is a union position with a starting hourly wage of $46.08. In addition the District offers a competitive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA for medical and dependent care, HRA VEBA, a variety of life insurance and ADD options, Deferred Compensation (401a & 457b), PERS, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and a generous personal leave bank.