Power Systems Engineer

The City of Gastonia Electric Utilities is dedicated to providing reliable and sustainable electric services to our community. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, we strive to meet the energy needs of our residents while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.
 
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Power Systems Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will play a key role in the planning, design, and maintenance of our electric power systems for the city. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our utility infrastructure while ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to our customers. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Division Manager of Electric. This position is a supervisory one and will be responsible for guiding several individuals within the department.  

Designs electrical distribution system; Prepares specifications for new electrical transformer installations;  Reviews plans of new subdivisions, industrial and commercial developments and makes recommendations for locations of electrical service needs such as wiring, transformers and area lights; Provides contractors with technical information relating to electrical engineering projects; Compiles cost estimates on a variety of electrical engineering projects.	60%
Plans work and exercises supervision over Field Techs, Lighting Specialists, and GIS Techs.	12.5%
Coordinates customer-owned renewal energy projects; Educates customers regarding the economics of such ventures; Works with customers and customer contractors to ensure installations meet City and North Carolina Utilities Commission guidelines; Prepares contracts and acquires signatures from customers and city officials; Monitors impacts on the electric grid and revenue.	10%
Prepares technical and administrative reports, including economic and rate studies	10%
Conducts feasibility studies for proposed system improvements; Works with Energy Officer, Electric Division Supervisors; Consultants and others to maintain an effective energy load management program; works directly with Solar vendors on behalf of city customers concerning interconnection standards and electric rates.	5%
Participates in public and private school career days and other educational efforts; Promotes safety; Advises students regarding career opportunities; Performs energy audits as requested by electric customers; Coordinates with ElectriCities staff; Consults with customers upon delivering audit reports.	2.5%

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of electrical power engineering.  Familiarity with economic studies and electric rates.  
• Strong report writing and oral presentation abilities. Experience with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Visio. 
• Experience in relational database systems is a plus, including, Microsoft Access, Oracle, or SQL Server. 
• Excellent verbal communication skills and must be capable of interpreting technical drawings and instructions. 
• Experience with ESRI GIS, ArcFm, or similar GIS software packages. Some knowledge of solar and renewable energy interconnections standards and rate structures, including “buy-all-sell-all” and “net metering” installations
• Stay informed about industry trends, regulations, and best practices related to power system engineering
• Evaluate the performance of existing equipment and recommend improvements or replacements as needed
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make strategic recommendations
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement in power system operations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, Master’s degree desirable
• Or an equivalent combination of education and Experience

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the North Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in power systems engineering, preferably in a utility or energy-related setting
• Complete NIMS IS 100, 200, and 700 training within 18 months
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving history 

The physical activity of this position includes:

• Climbing:  Ascending or descending, stairs, ramps, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms 
• Balancing:   Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces.  This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping:  Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.  This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling:  Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching:  Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching:  Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing:   Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking:  Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing:   Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling:  Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting:  Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position.  This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering:  Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping:  Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling:  Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking:  Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing:  Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction.   Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions:   Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, and hands
• Reaching:  Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

 
 The physical requirements of this position:

• Medium Work:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field of vision:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: preparing and analyzing data and figures; accounting; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices.

 The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

 
 
Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity. 
 
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)
 
 
 

Salary : $87,799 - $123,707