Power System Supervising Engineer (Protection Engineering)

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

 

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

 

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

 

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

 

Austin Energy is seeking a Power System Supervising Engineer to serve as team supervisor and technical lead. This position serves in Austin Energy's Transmission & Substation Protection Engineering Team which is responsible for the system protection engineering of the utility transmission, substation and distribution assets.

This position requires an engineer with leadership skills who is experienced in system protection engineering design fundamentals and challenges; providing mentorship and technical leadership to a team of specialized engineers; possessing strong communication skills, analytical skills and being a proven problem solver in both team and independent settings.

The ideal candidate is a collaborator who can lead effectively in a team environment including cross-functional engineering and non-technical staff.

 

Job Description:

Power System Supervising Engineer

Purpose:

Under limited direction and considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, this position supervises engineering and technical personnel to assure consistency with standards and quality delivery of services to customers, advancement of new technologies and processes, and development and maintenance of technical utility standards.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Manages, coordinates, implement and provides technical advice and direction to internal and external customers.

• Plans, research, designs, and implements engineering studies and projects and/or program areas by applying advanced technical knowledge of engineering discipline.

• Manages, coordinates, implements, and/or monitors projects/programs.

• Provides technical leadership advice and direction for assigned division, project, or program personnel.

• Provides input into the development of Capital and O&M budgets and monitors team’s use of those budgets.

• Develops staff by assessing business and personnel needs and implementing necessary training plans/programs to assure organization can meet needs.

• Develops or leads development of technical specifications and standards by applying knowledge of principles and practices of engineering discipline, including the methods, materials, equipment and techniques used.

• Manages and negotiates contracts by reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records.

• Negotiates problems of changes, errors or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.

• Monitors projects for regulatory compliance and maintains knowledge of the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory

• Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of supervisory and/or management skills to programs, projects, and personnel.

• Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations such as, generation, transmission, distribution, and other related fields.

• Knowledge of utility standards and regulatory requirements, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) compliance requirements.

• Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of electric utility systems or applicable industrial process.

• Knowledge of City of Austin budget planning, purchasing and contract policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.

• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the Local and State ordinances and laws.

• Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.

• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.

• Ability to communicate and provide direction to staff.

• Ability to direct, coach and train others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, plus eight (8) years of related engineering experience acquired either before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer, including two (2) years of which were in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, the ability to obtain a Texas PE license within one (1) year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory or Lead experience in an engineering role

• Experience in applying power system protection principles and relaying schemes for utility T&D systems

• Experience in utility power systems analysis to perform system protection studies, develop protection schemes and relay settings

• Experience using ASPEN OneLiner and SEL QuickSet

• Experience in trouble shooting protection systems and mis-operation analysis

• Experience with NERC reliability standards and ERCOT requirements

• Experience reading protection and control drawings such as one-line drawings, AC/DC schematic drawings and wiring schematics

Other
*Ability to travel to multiple sites.

 

Notes to Candidate:

Location:

4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Salary:

$112,600 - $144,700 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.

• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.

• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.

• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.

• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

• This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Fair Labor Standards Act:

• This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Travel:
If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

 

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.