Protection & Control Field Services Engineer/Associate/Technician

P&C Field Services Engineer/Associate/Technician – Athens, GA

Job Summary
This posting is for a Protection & Control Field Services Engineer position based in the Central Transmission Maintenance Area of Athens, GA, covering the northeast Georgia region bordered by Lake Lanier and I-20.

This role will be filled as a non-exempt position within the Protection & Control Field Services Engineer family, with compensation and level based on the candidate's qualifications, education, and experience.

The successful candidate will manage Protection & Control (P&C) Field Services activities, including substation equipment and relay commissioning, troubleshooting, work coordination for greenfield and brownfield projects, and periodic weekly on-call response.

Due to the nature of the job, safety and quality are paramount. The candidate must be a self-starter and effective communicator, capable of learning and applying safety measures, and coordinating and obtaining clearances to de-energize equipment before executing major work. The candidate will plan and complete projects safely, efficiently, on schedule, and without service interruptions.

Candidates selected for interviews will be chosen based on their fit with the job requirements listed below and prior experience.

 

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills)

Education Requirements

• 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or
• 4-year BS Degree in Engineering Technology, or
• 4-year BS Degree in Science, or
• 2-year technical degree in electrical maintenance, or
• Equivalent applicable experience (e.g., Test Engineer, Substation Electrician, Technician, Wireman, Electrician)

Experience (preferred)

• P&C Field Services experience
• Electric power utility experience
• Related substation experience (P&C Applications, Design, Construction, Major Equipment, Project Management)
• Electrical equipment experience
• Troubleshooting and commissioning experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of 3-phase power systems, AC/DC Protection & Control Schemes, Fault Analysis
• Familiarity with test equipment such as voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, communication instruments, and computerized relay test sets
• Ability to troubleshoot, solve problems, and make decisions while managing projects with multiple priorities safely
• Effective communication skills across multiple work groups, including customers, covered employees, and leadership
• Proficiency with computer programs, including Microsoft Office products (Word, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Capacity to keep up with emerging technology and appropriate testing procedures and philosophy

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Participation in callout rotation and availability to respond to outages or other abnormal conditions outside of the normal work schedule
• Occasional overnight travel required
• Safety-sensitive position subject to relevant pre-employment screening(s) to determine fitness for duty
• Field position requiring the physical ability to operate manual switches and work in a substation environment
• Must live in/near or be willing to relocate within a reasonable distance to the office location
• Must pass the standard Southern Company background check, drug screen, and NERC background check

Job Responsibilities

• Commission, test, maintain, and troubleshoot protective relaying, controls, and communication equipment associated with substation and transmission power lines. (NERC PRC-005 Compliance)
• Complete construction projects and substation routines as assigned, ensuring they are completed without service interruptions, including managing clearances to meet quality, schedule, and budget targets
• Coordinate substation outages and commissioning activities with multiple internal and external stakeholders; handle trouble calls as needed
• Develop and use safe and efficient work practices to prevent safety and operational incidents; follow formal written requirements and conduct job briefings to identify and mitigate risks
• Develop and share technical expertise in 3-phase power, relaying, SCADA, and substation testing techniques with others
• Isolate hazards and damaged equipment during emergencies to safely and efficiently restore service

Behavioral Attributes

• Model “Our Values”: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• Incorporate Human Performance tools into daily work