Engineering Technician

SUMMARY:

The Engineering Technician explains the services offered by the Cooperative, its rates, policies, and procedures to consumers who are requesting line extensions, changes, or upgrades. Prepares the staking sheets and necessary papers for the construction or retirement of line, services, pole replacements, conductor replacements, joint use. or other projects as needed.

include the following. Other duties may be assigned. If other duties are assigned, employee shall have knowledge of area or be given training for other duty.

• Designs new power and service line extensions, upgrades, and re-routes of existing lines and equipment according to Cooperative’s standards including but not limited to the National Electrical Safety Code, National Electrical Code, RUS specifications and industry best practices.
• Calculates capacity requirements of new or upgraded services and lines, including electrical and structural designs per utility industry standards, and determines service contract requirements.
• Determines the need for additional or modified land rights. Researches, describes, and prepares accurate and correct right-of-way easements, land use permit applications, and landowner approval forms.
• Makes necessary personal contacts to obtain right-of-way signatures, or other land use permits in a manner which meets current legal requirements.
• Provides accurate mapping information and assists in keeping map data correct and current.
• Follows necessary joint process and documentation process set forth by the Cooperative. Field checks the joint use poles prior to connection, oversees applications received from the telephone/internet or cable TV companies to determine compliance with Cooperative's joint use requirements.
• Prepares accurate list of materials to be used for each project based on design.
• Prepares cost estimates using basic record information properly allocating costs to consumer and cooperative.
• Designates contract rate, class, capacity, construction cost, and other variable information required to offer specific contract terms and/or payment provision options to potential and existing consumers according to Cooperative policies and guidelines.
• Acts as first-person representative of the company to both consumers and other organizations, providing customer service in a professional manner.
• Acts as a mentor to the more inexperienced engineering technicians by training them in every aspect of the line staking process.
• Provides necessary research and planning input to engineering department regarding perceived needs for future work by the coop to keep the distribution system safe and reliable.

Three years of staking and line design experience are required in addition to a bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; minimum of two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.