Substation Equipment Technician

Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1 million Kentuckians across 87 counties. We're leaders in environmental stewardship and we're committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.

As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.

EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.

For more information on our plentiful benefits package visit our website at https://www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc

EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The following levels are open for consideration: Level 1, 2 and 3.

All skill levels are being considered and the person chosen for the position will be placed in the level in which they are experienced. Please see below for description of all levels.

To perform all duties necessary to provide efficient service in the repair and installation of regulators, reclosers and transformers in energized and de-energized substations. To provide the necessary support to EKPC's Substation Contruction Department, delivering material and setting equipment and buildings at new substations and delivering line material to EKPC's Line Contractors. Also to provide services to our owner members for pad mount transformers installations and offer assistance moving or setting equipment at their request.

Substation Equipment Technician Level 1

Secures all loads to be transported.

Loads equipment onto trailers.

Visually inspects vehicles prior to use, including fluid levels, exterior lights, and tires, and completes daily inspection sheet.

Documents mileage and hours of use.

Drives trucks required for the job ¿ flat bed, tractor-trailer, crane.

Troubleshoots minor in-field equipment breakdowns and coordinates with contractor mechanics to make vehicle repairs.

Obtains Class A CDL permit.

Assists with planning vehicle and equipment movements while recognizing clearances and hazards.

Operates forklift to move equipment.

Inspects insulators for damage.

Checks grounding on structures and equipment.

Replaces insulators under de-energized conditions.

Inspects conductors and replaces de-energized conductors as necessary.

Meggers regulator before attaching jumpers.

Records counter data and write up operations on regulators.

Installs or replaces control cables on OCR¿s.

Checks transformers for oil level and pressure.

Paints transformers.

Visually checks distribution substation components.

Uses meggers and multi-meters.

Inspects rubber gloves.

Inspects and maintains personal safety equipment on truck.

Inspects and cleans hot sticks.

Ensures trucks are grounded to system ground or screw ground.

Inspects lifting cabling and replaces as necessary.

Obtains flagger certification.

Assists Substation Technician in emergency troubleshooting.

Reads one-line diagrams.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Substation Equipment Technician Level 2

Arranges for equipment rental from vendor.

Completes load securement training.

Obtains Class A CDL License.

Obtains permission from Dispatch/Coop to work on energized substation.

Determines overhead clearances 360° around crane.

Positions vehicles and equipment.

Operates bulldozer and backhoe.

Operates bucket truck to position and connect substation equipment.

Operates pump and oil trucks to transport transformer oil.

Obtains crane and rigging certification / operator verification training.

Ensures slings/cables meet lift specifications and rig loads.

Checks operation of voltage regulators.

Assists in determining when conditions exist to shut down substation and notifies Dispatcher.

Assists in troubleshooting distribution substations and by-passing faulty components.

Assists in returning distribution substation on-line.

Assists in returning transmission substation on-line.

Installs 69kV fuses.

Assists in setting up mobile substation.

Conducts oil test (di-electric) on equipment.

Uses test equipment including di-electric and OCR tester.

De-energizes equipment.

Uses hot sticks to isolate or by-pass high voltage equipment.

Assists with measurements for equipment set up while ensuring height clearances near energized parts and equipment.

Assists with obtaining Hold Card and performing switching.

Checks unregulated voltage in meter cabinet.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Substation Equipment Technician Level 3

Obtains OTR (over-the-road) permits as required.

Plans transport route based upon vehicle and equipment requirements and makes a dry-run of the route to determine clearances, hazards, and terrain features.

Reads and applies lift capacity charts for vehicles and equipment.

Operates knuckle boom and truck crane to load, unload, and position substation equipment.

Positions pad mount transformers (e.g. knuckle boom).

Changes out voltage regulators in energized substations.

Installs or replaces control cables on regulators.

Doble test regulators.

Tests transformers (Doble, TTR, megger, and CT Saturation tests).

Replaces transformers.

Changes bushings on transformers.

Determines when conditions exist to shut down substation and notifies Dispatcher.

Troubleshoots distribution substations and by-pass faulty components.

Returns distribution substation on-line.

Sets up and energizes mobile substation.

Inspects and Doble test lightning arresters.

Identifies safe working clearances and minimum approach distances from energized parts and equipment.

Obtains Hold Card and performs switching.

Schedules and delivers pad mounts to Co-ops throughout the state.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent required. Associate's degree or formal technical training in a related area preferred.

Experience: Three (3) years of repairing and working around energized substation equipment experience preferred. Electric utility Substation Technician experience preferred

Skills and Abilities:

§ Knowledge of switching procedures for energized substations preferred.

§ Class A CDL required; and also must obtain forklift operators license.

§ Must be knowledgeable with one-line diagrams.

§ Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills

§ Initiating Action

§ Decision Making

§ Contributing to Team Success

§ Safety Awareness

§ Must maintain a valid driver¿s license.

§ On-call position; required to carry a company provided phone after hours, weekends, and holidays.

§ Overnight travel and non-scheduled overtime normal part of job.

§ Residential telephone or personal cell phone required.

§ Required to work in and around energized facilities.

§ Regular lifting up to 100 lbs. and occasional lifting over 100 lbs. required.

§ Regular climbing and work at heights on ladders and stairs and occasional climbing and work at heights on structures required.

§ Required to live within 30 minutes of the Winchester Service Center or other previously agreed upon location within the service territory.