Program Technician - Distributed Energy Resources PA

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger. 

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00]

The Program Technician - Distributed Energy Resources (DER) is responsible for work associated with the DER interconnection processes for the Distribution function of the Company.  The preferred job locations are at either the Greensburg Corporate Office or the Erie Service Center, but other locations within FirstEnergy Pennsylvania will be considered. 

Responsibilities include:

• Demonstrating and directing a solid commitment to all aspects of safety.
• Managing the interconnection mailboxes, including generating FirstEnergy queue numbers for retail net metering interconnection applications, analyzing and responding to customer inquiries, processing application checks, and filing/logging information
• Assessing and processing Level 1 & 2 retail net metering interconnection applications including:
  • Reviewing applications for any inadequate information
  • Technical review of customer generator’s ensuring they meet all FE requirements
  • Creating work requests and work with the design team for any upgrade work associated with the interconnection
  • Filing and logging correspondence and application documents to the database
  • Providing a timely response to any customer questions 
• Assisting Project Managers and Planning Engineers on level 2, 3, and 4 retail interconnection applications
  • May also include reviewing applications for any inadequate information
  • Technical review of customer generator’s ensuring they meet all FE requirements
• Providing support and attending PJM kickoff calls for wholesale interconnection projects connecting to the distribution system
• Compiling data from the interconnection database to assist regulatory reporting with Department of Energy (DOE) and PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) submittals
• Providing assistance during emergencies and storm-related activities and travelling to various off-site locations as well as FirstEnergy office locations, training facilities and customer sites, when requested.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology or related discipline and 0 to 2 years related work experience is required. 
• In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree, minimum 2 - 3 years related work experience is required.  Related work experience includes knowledge of the DER process, planning/scheduling of work, construction and maintenance practices, procedures, work methods, materials, equipment, and tools which would be used to determine the resources necessary to perform construction and maintenance work activities.
• Able to understand and apply:
  • National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and National Electric Code (NEC).
  • The Company’s Accident Prevention Handbook and Manual of Operations.
  • Legal and regulatory requirements as appropriate.
  • The purpose, function, and operating characteristics of equipment, and residential, commercial, and utility electrical systems
  • Construction methods, maintenance practices, service practices, standards and procedures.
  • Procedures and processes for the acquisition of materials, equipment and tools.  
• Self-motivated and able to balance competing priorities.
• Possess solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc.), Outlook, SAP, geographical information system (ESRI), customer request work scheduling (CREWS), power outage reporting system (OMA/FLEX), and computer aided drafting (CAD/AutoCAD).
• Possess knowledge of the purpose, function, and operating characteristics of equipment, distribution design, residential, commercial, and utility electrical distribution systems, and construction methods, maintenance practices, service practices, standards, and procedures.
• Professionalism to work with engineer and management personnel, as well as interface and work cooperatively with customers, contractors and the general public, in a courteous manner.