Engineering Technical Specialist I/II/III

Job Summary

• Provides technical support, direction and advice in analyzing and evaluating systems, equipment and programs.
• Plans and conducts work requiring judgment in the independent evaluation, selection, adaptation and modification of standard techniques, procedures and criteria.
• Devises new approaches to problems encountered and develops engineering criteria ensuring compliance with design criteria and standards.
• Focuses on the practical application of engineering theories; determines how to make the designs and plans of engineers work.
• Applies scientific and engineering principles and methods, along with technical skills, to support engineering activities.
• May perform product improvement, testing, field engineering, development, systems development, quality control, and operational engineering. 
• May provide technical project management including scoping, scheduling, budget development, cost tracking and oversight of complex projects to meet cost and time objectives/.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to Transmission System Operators. Provides training, compliance, and procedural advice and support in operational, technical, simulation, and incident response areas of the control center.
• Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Playing a critical role in the System Operations Center (SOC) by keeping up with the latest equipment and new technologies available to the power industry,
  • Providing training material to the training department or serving as a training/compliance subject matter expert in areas where weaknesses are observed or new applications or requirements exist, and creating scenarios in the Dynamic Test Simulator (DTS) for operator and supervisor training,
  • Interfacing with affected parties as the representative of the SOC for any training, compliance, regulatory (PJM, SERC, NERC), and industry best practice (NATF, EEI, EPRI) issues and activities related to electric transmission operations,
  • Acting in a back-up capacity for other Operations Consultants when necessary,
  • Emergency response planning,
  • ET Conference hosting,
  • Project Management,
  • Updating and reviewing special operating instructions and procedures for Bulk Electric Substations,
  • Interfacing between management and Operations during emergencies or storms affecting the BES,
  • Owning and updating System Operations Emergency Policies and Procedures, 
  • Conducting System Operations Drills

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

Engineering Technical Specialist I:
0-2+ years of relevant experience and competencies in applicable discipline. Basic knowledge of engineering principals, theories and practices. Ability to learn and successfully apply a basic knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline. Ability to learn and design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline. Good oral, written and graphical communication skills required, to include basic technical writing skills. Ability to learn and conduct standard tests, measurements and experiments. Ability to function as a member on a technical team. Organization skills and ability to prioritize and manager multiple tasks. Basic knowledge of computers, keyboarding skills and the use of Microsoft office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and applicable software programs. Demonstrates questioning attitude, problem solving, analytical and abstract thinking skills.

Engineering Technical Specialist II:
2+ years of relevant experience and demonstrated competencies in applicable discipline. Knowledge of engineering principals, theories and practices. Ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline. Ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
Effective oral, written and graphical communication skills including technical writing; ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature. Ability to conduct standard tests, measurements and experiments. Ability to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes. Ability to function effectively independently and as a member on a technical team. Organization and project management skills.
Proficient personal computer skills including knowledge of applicable software programs.

Engineering Technical Specialist III:
5-6+ years of relevant experience and demonstrated competencies in applicable discipline. In-depth knowledge of engineering principals, theories and practices. Ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline. Ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline. Strong oral, written and graphical communication skills including technical writing; ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature. Ability to conduct standard tests, measurements and experiments. Ability to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes. Ability to function effectively independently and as a member on a technical team. Excellent organization and project management skills. Excellent personal computer skills including knowledge of applicable software programs.

Education Requirements

In order to be a titled Engineering Technical Specialist, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• 4-year Engineering Technology degree or 4-year degree in Engineering (not ABET-accredited); or
• 4-year degree in Physics, Math, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Engineering or other technical related discipline; or
• 4-year non-technical degree and post-graduate degree in Engineering Technology or Engineering (not ABET-accredited); or
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of preferred degree

Preferred Discipline(s): Engineering Technology, Physics, Biology, Computer Engineering, Emergency Response

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

Preferred: NERC Transmission Operator, PJM Transmission System Operator 

Working Conditions

Test Description

No Testing Required