Senior Engineer/Staff Engineer

Job Summary

This position provides expert technical analysis, guidance and recommendations in the areas of FERC hydroelectric dam safety and regulatory compliance.  Preferred individual will be qualified to serve as the designated FERC Chief Dam Safety Engineer for DESC (P.E. license required).  Coordinates FERC dam safety compliance tasks, regulatory reporting and timely follow-up to Agency inquiries. Works closely with other departments within DESC such as Environmental Services, Engineering, Operations and Legal to address concerns and ensure accurate and timely filing of federal and state reports.  Applies understanding of hydro station operations and dam safety to coordinate dam safety activities (i.e. inspections, spillway gate tests, and other investigations) with the Power Generation Operations Support team.   

• Work closely with station management and staff to ensure understanding and implementation of dam safety requirements for their sites.  
• Assist stations and Power Generation Engineering in ensuring an effective and compliant Owner’s Dam Safety Program.
• Oversee preparation of annual dam safety surveillance and monitoring reports.
• Oversee annual updates to dam safety Emergency Action Plans.
• Analyze station performance and dam surveillance and instrumentation data to verify compliance with FERC regulations and company policies and procedures.
• Provide direction and guidance to plant operators and engineering staff on FERC dam safety requirements and associated engineering projects and action items.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations by reviewing technical evaluations, calculations and analysis to support station operations, ensure regulatory compliance and support/document Company actions.  
• Assist with technical evaluations of events and root cause analysis to recommend corrective actions.  
• Prepare reports and updates for executive level management as needed.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

Minimum Requirements (Note: A partial year of related work experience of 6 months or greater will be considered one year towards the qualifications):

Senior Engineer – Structural and/or Geotechnical Engineering background preferred, with 5+ years of experience with working knowledge of Hydroelectric Plants, Dam Safety and Regulatory compliance.  Experience with Federal Power Act requirements and FERC regulations related to hydroelectric projects and dam safety. Ability to process information quickly and effectively manage multiple tasks.  Strong oral and written communication skills (includes technical writing).

Staff Engineer – Structural and/or Geotechnical Engineering background preferred, with 8+ years of experience with working knowledge of Hydroelectric Plants, Dam Safety and Regulatory compliance.  Experience with Federal Power Act requirements and FERC regulations related to hydroelectric projects and dam safety. Equally effective working independently or in a team environment.  Demonstrated ability to think analytically and solve complex problems. Strong planning and project management skills and demonstrated ability to think analytically to solve complex problems and to interpret and apply codes, regulations, and practices.

Senior and Staff Engineer Levels: Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, and database software.  Strong organizational skills needed to track and manage a wide variety of dam safety compliance tasks, regulatory reporting requirements and general Agency follow-up requirements.  Demonstrates excellent communication and presentation skills.  Experience presenting technical information to a variety of audiences with varying degrees of technical and regulatory knowledge.  Position will interface with federal and state agencies and other stakeholders and will need to be able to balance competing interests to obtain consensus from the group.  One on one and group communication skills are essential.  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without authority.  

Demonstrated ability and experience providing training, guidance, and technical subject matter expertise.  Ability to work autonomously with general oversight.

Education Requirements

Required:  Bachelor of Science in Engineering from ABET accredited University.

Preferred: Professional Engineer licensed in South Carolina with structural and/or geotechnical background.

For placement of a candidate in the Engineer job series, the following criteria must be met: 
 

• Possess a 4-year engineering degree from an ABET accredited engineering program based on the year that the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or 
• Possess a 4-year engineering degree from an institution outside of the U.S. which is accredited through the country's own engineering accrediting body under the Washington Accord as a full signatory, and is a degree that was recognized by the country's accrediting body on or after the date that full signatory status was achieved, or 
• Possess a 4-year engineering degree from a non-ABET accredited program and a postgraduate engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same engineering discipline is ABET accredited based on the year the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or 
• Possess a 4-year degree in Physics, Chemistry, Math or Engineering Technology and a post-graduate engineering degree from an institution where the undergraduate degree in the same engineering discipline is ABET accredited based on the year the engineering program was accredited by ABET, or 
• Holds or has previously held a valid U.S. Engineer-in-Training or Professional Engineer license.

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

Working Conditions

Other Working Conditions

Test Description

No Testing