VALLEY ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC. JOB DESCRIPTION I.

IDENTIFICATION A. B. C. D.

II.

Title: Substation Technician Department: Operations Reports To: Substation Foreman Must live within 30 minutes of your reporting location

OBJECTIVES Substation Technician is responsible for the day to day operations and maintenance and trouble shooting of the substations and switch yards.

III.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position: a. With appropriate supervision performs all of the duties of metering, distribution, maintenance, and other duties within the department. b. Monitors, maintains, repairs, programs, and tests all substation-related relays and controls, including but not limited to, microprocessor based relays, LTC controls, PLC’s, voltage controls, and capacitor controls. Monitoring includes downloading event reports for system disturbances and analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on the event. c. Tests and commissions all new substation equipment, including power transformers, high-voltage breakers, circuit switchers, and capacitor banks, including but not limited to, hi-pot, winding ratio, breaker timing, relay testing and power factor testing. d. Works with the Communications Division to install, commission, and maintain VEA’s SCADA system, including radios, RTU’s and all other related equipment. e. Ability to use the department’s specialized software for gathering data, record keeping and testing of equipment and be able to instruct others in its use. f. A general understanding of how different relay schemes work and to be able to troubleshoot in substations and restore power promptly.

Substation Technician – REV 03/2015

g. Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and retrofit old equipment with new components including microprocessors and digital controls. h. Ability to schedule maintenance activities for ensuring NERC/ISO compliance i. Ability to keep proper records of equipment. j. Submits and reviews complex switching orders. k. Reads, understands and follows all applicable safety rules, and conducts all work within those accepted safety standards.

General Duties and Responsibilities: a. As directed, evaluate existing VEA programs and methods to determine program value; recommend changes. b. As necessary, respond to emergency call out, and perform work within scope of abilities, such as operation of the radio and telephone. c. Perform all other duties as necessary and assigned to maintain the effective functioning of the department and the company. d. Handle assignments and conduct self in such a manner as will reflect credit to the organization and contribute to an increasingly better understanding by, and through harmonious relations with the members and general public. e. Supervises maintenance and construction projects to ensure compliance with specifications and engineering plans. f. Other duties as required or directed for which the Substation Technician may be qualified for. This job description in no way implies that the duties and responsibilities listed herein are the only ones the employee can be required to perform. The employee is expected to perform other tasks, duties and training as instructed by the supervisor.

IV.

AUTHORITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY a. The Substation Technician shall have authority to carry out the responsibilities and duties of this position in conformity with established policies and procedures. b. The Substation Technician should remember that they are accountable to the management of the Cooperative for the efficient performance of these responsibilities Substation Technician – REV 03/2015

and that, although some of these responsibilities may be assigned to another person, the accountability for the successful completion of these responsibilities cannot be. c. The Substation Technician is encouraged to use initiative and judgment in making decisions, remembering that the Cooperative’s best interest can be affected by his (her) actions. d. The Substation Technician should feel free to make suggestions for the improvement of operations and efficiency. e. The Substation Technician shall secure the approval of the Substation Foreman, Assistant Manager of Operations or the Manager of Operations in making decisions when policies are not clear or require interpretation.

V. RELATIONSHIPS Employee will communicate, collaborate, and cooperate with colleagues, customers, and vendors. Inside the Organization: a. This position reports directly to the Substation Foreman and/or the Assistant Manager of Operations. b. Fellow Employees Outside the Organization: a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

Member/Consumers – Providing prompt, courteous service and information. Other Cooperatives: Purchasing/Warehouse personnel. Member/Consumers – Providing prompt, courteous service and information. Vendors and solicitors contacting a Cooperative representative. Consultants Federal and State governmental agencies. California Independent System Operators (CAISO)

VI. SPECIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education: High school diploma or equivalent, and certified through an approved apprenticeship program or documented equivalent experience. Substation Technician – REV 03/2015

Experience: Five years’ experience and knowledge in testing and maintaining substation equipment highly desired. Knowledge: Must have or quickly acquire a thorough knowledge of equipment, tools, materials and services used by electric utilities. The employee must have knowledge of State and Federal laws. Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret technical information and documents. The employee must have the ability to write routine reports and correspondence. The employee must have the ability to perform as working foreman when job requires. The employee must have a good understanding of switching procedures. Mathematical Skills: The employee must have the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Must be able use algebra and have the ability to apply Pythagoreans theorem. Must have a solid knowledge of business math, such as percentages, allocate costs, and monitor budget expenditures. Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. The employee must have the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. The employee must be able to use independent judgment in problem solving of operational issues. Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements: Must have the skills and ability to work independently. The employee ability analyze electrical drawings for efficient use in trouble shooting problems. Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. The employee must have the ability to deal with problems involving several tangible variables in standardized situations. The employee must have the ability to be flexible, organized, decisive, and able to take the initiative in common-sense understanding to carry out problem-solving in standardized situations. The employee must have the ability to possess a Medic First Aid Card (CPR inclusive). Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a current commercial driver’s license (CDL Class A preferred) with Tanker endorsement per Nevada State Department of Transportation Regulations. The employee must have the ability to obtain an OSHA 30hr Training Certificate. The employee must have the ability to obtain Certification for Fork Lift Operator. Must be able to obtain and maintain federal security clearances that satisfy the access requirements of VEA’s federally contracted installations. Working Conditions/Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee must have the ability to work in high, precarious places and in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must have the physical ability to continuously perform strenuous tasks such as climbing, lifting, carrying heavy loads, and holding weight over long periods of time. The employee must be able to perform switching on voltages from 25KV to 230KV. The employee must be willing and able to accept duty calls at any time of day or night and in various outside weather Substation Technician – REV 03/2015

conditions. Regular travel within the service area required. Time will be primarily outside with some office time required. Physical and Mental Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must have the ability to stand; walk; sit; use hands or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Employee must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee ability to understand, remember and execute complex instructions and analyze plans. The employee must have the ability to maintain attention and concentration. The employee must have the ability to maintain a high level of alertness. The employee must have the ability to exercise flexibility in decision making. The employee must have the ability to exercise good judgment in tense situations. The employee must be able to interact effectively and appropriately with the public, supervisors, and co-workers and the ability to maintain socially appropriate behavior in dealing with co-workers, members, supervisors, etc.

Date: Department Manager

Date: Department Manager Date: Direct Supervisor Accepted by Date: Employee Date: Director of Human Resources

Substation Technician – REV 03/2015