Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineer 2

This Electrical Engineer 2 position is located in Vancouver, WA and will work in the Protection, Control & Instrumentation (TEZP) group within the Transmission Engineering & Technical Services (TE) branch of the BPA. This position will provide Electrical Engineering expertise and support for the myriad of TEZP functions. Responsibilities include support of substation PCI equipment by resolving technical problems, malfunction and failure analysis, developing action plans for systemic issues, providing technical guidance for spare parts management and providing engineering analysis for equipment and materials in support of maintenance and construction.

Other responsibilities include technical services in support of PCI equipment, guidance and direction on PCI equipment application, fault studies, relay setting optimization, assuring uniform applications of technical policies and procedures defined by standards and guides, and analyzing equipment health and risk using asset data and asset management methodology.

Assignment responsibilities include developing and reviewing protective relay settings to verify compliance with PRC-023, PRC-025, PRC-026, and PRC-027 while maintaining sound system protection principles. Work with field SPC to verify that relay settings are developed in compliance with PRC-023, PRC-025, PRC-026, PRC-027 while maintaining sound system protection principles. Perform system event analysis to identify and document cause of relay operations. Use equipment to gather information for fault analysis, location determination, and proper operation of power system protection equipment during power system faults and disturbances.

Assist field SPC in performing system event analysis to identify and document cause of relay operations. Develop or assist in developing processes for documenting and monitoring compliance with various NERC PRC Compliance Standards (PRC-023, PRC-025, PRC-026, PRC-027) and/or other protection related Standards. Facilitate, monitor, and recommend improvements to BPA management approved processes for maintaining compliance with various NERC PRC Compliance Standards (PRC-023, PRC-025, PRC-026, PRC-027) and/or other protection related Standards.

Develop and coordinate submission of compliance documentation to WECC, NERC, FERC, or BPA's internal compliance department. Review and assist with the clarification and application of future Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC), or other regulatory agency policies, standards, directives, and guidelines applicable to electric utilities. Participate and provide input on the development of new SPC Standards and guidelines, based on the needs defined by the SPC Functional team or TEZP.

Communicate BPA management approved NERC or other compliance-based processes and procedures to SPC field districts and provide training to assist management with implementation. Develop or assist in the development of BPA mitigation plans to correct noncompliance with NERC PRC Standards and other standards. Review new system protection and control designs and associated project requirement diagrams, evaluating diagrams based on system knowledge;

present findings and provide recommendations for management consideration. Analyze and evaluate model updates for the official BPA ASPEN model; present findings and provide recommendations for SME/management consideration. Performs ASPEN Fault Studies to provide recommendations for numerous situations including; relay settings, bus fault values, portable protective grounds, ground mat resistance, and system black start capabilities. With oversight and approval of BPA staff, provide technical advice and assistance to SPC Field and other BPA employees that is based on technical knowledge and proper application of SPC Compliance Standards.

With oversight and approval of BPA staff, provide SPC engineering guidance and assistance for relay settings and coordination studies in support of SPC. As requested by the BPA Manager, may support special assignments related to System…