Design Engineer I/II/III - Matanuska Electric Association, Inc.

PURPOSE

This position is responsible for engineering services required to improve, expand, and maintain the Association’s electrical distribution system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

The Design Engineer I performs the below functions in a learning capacity.

The Design Engineer II performs the below functions comfortably with supervisory oversight.

The Design Engineer III performs and masters all below functions.

1.       Recommend projects and prepare estimates for inclusion in the Association Construction Work Plan (CWP), including estimating internal manpower needed to meet the CWP schedule.

2.       Meet with residential, commercial, or other Association customers requesting expansion of the distribution systems to serve customer electric loads.

3.       Prepare budgets, design and construction cost estimates, and schedules.

4.       Manage joint use utility agreements and customer letters of agreement and works with members to develop cogeneration agreements as applicable for review and approval by management.

5.       Develop or oversee development of design documents and specifications for assigned projects.

6.       Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure permitting, materials, and other project requirements are met.

7.       Prepare correspondence from the Association’s Engineering and Operations divisions for construction.

8.       Prepare bid and construction documents for assigned projects.

9.       Direct and coordinate time schedules; reviews quality control designs of construction projects, including those in the Construction Work Plan for the Association.

10.      May provide direction and guidance in accomplishing a task, goal, or to solve a problem.

11.      Determine whether work is best completed under contract or by force account.

12.      Prepare contract documents and schedules, conducts bid openings, makes contract awards, negotiates contract change orders, and processes contract billings, on construction projects of the Association.

13.      Review contracts, billing and change orders on projects prior to approval by management.

14.      Perform field staking for projects in the Construction Work Plan.

15.      Coordinate with dispatch clearance requirements to be incorporated in the execution and construction of assigned projects.

16.      Inspects overhead and underground distribution construction to ensure compliance with Association standards.

17.      Prepare monthly reports that include the status of projects and other duties as assigned.

18.      Prepare special reports on both the status of current construction projects and actual cost evaluations.

19.      Prepare closeout documents for assigned projects.

20.      Maintain database records for the Engineering Division, specifically in design and staking.

21.      Direct the cable data analysis for all underground and underwater cables and maintains the Association Cable Data Bank.  Prepare all cable replacement schedules.

22.      Participate in long range planning activities.

23.      Prepare the annual requisitions for major plant items, including poles, transformers, conductors, and cable.

24.      Recommend and prepares special policy procedures and construction standards for the Association.

25.      Perform the essential functions in a safe and efficient manner.

26.      Promote a safety culture in which safety is a value.  This culture is based on joint and individual engagement, ownership, and accountability regarding job safety and responsibility to perform work safely and adhere to safe work practices.

The above items are not intended to be all inclusive of the essential functions or requirements of this type of work as they are subject to change based on operating necessity.  The employee may also perform other related business duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Design Engineer I

·         Qualified candidates are required to have:

-         A bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent relevant experience.

-         A valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

·         Preference may be given to those candidates with:

-         An educational emphasis in electrical or civil engineering.

-         Relevant utility industry experience.

Design Engineer II

·         Qualified candidates are required to have:

-         A bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent relevant experience.

-         Three (3) years of relevant experience in utility electrical system distribution design.

-         A valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

·         Preference may be given to those candidates with:

-         An educational emphasis in electrical or civil engineering.

-         A State of Alaska Professional Engineer (PE) license or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

-         Relevant utility industry experience.

Design Engineer III

·         Qualified candidates are required to have:

-         A bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent relevant experience.

-         Five (5) years of relevant experience in the Association with utility electrical system distribution design.

-         A State of Alaska Professional Engineering (PE) license; or

-         A valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

·         Preference may be given to those candidates with:

-         A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

·         Support a culture of safety excellence through active involvement in safety improvement and promote a sense of shared responsibility for safety.

·         Knowledge of electronic relaying, metering, etc.

·         Knowledge of electronic schematic and wiring diagrams.

·         Knowledge of utility related literature, abstracts, financial reports, technical journals, and legal documents.

·         Knowledge of conflict negotiation theory, principles, and methods.

·         Knowledge of and skill in advanced math.

·         Knowledge of and skill in Microsoft Office products. 

·         Ability to communicate professionally with diverse audiences.

·         Skill in solving problems complex in nature.

·         Skill in organizing and managing projects.

·         Skill in directing all engineering phases of distribution extension project.

·         Skill in effectively and professionally communicating with contractors, members, and/or other stakeholders.

·         Skill in communicating via writing, verbally, or by two-way radio with diverse audiences.

·         Ability to effectively delegate and collaborate with others to accomplish assignments.

·         Ability to communicate engineering knowledge into sound, economical design.

·         Ability to manage projects from inception to completion.

·         Ability to write a variety of detailed reports about complex issues such as large line extension problems, various cost estimates, alternative line extension options, complex electrical problems, major accidents, instruction manuals, etc.

·         Ability to effectively represent the Association’s interests at community council meetings and other venues.

·         Ability to facilitate cooperation between work groups and work functionally across all levels of the organization.

·         Ability to self-motivate improvement based on successes and failures.

·         Ability to analyze processes for efficiency and make recommendations for improvements.

·         Embrace and embody the Association’s Core Values through decisions, actions, attitude, and behavior to directly contribute to the success of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

·         The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; this list is not inclusive of all the physical demands that may be required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·         Physical demand activity percentages:

-         Major occurs 60% or more of work time.

-         Moderate occurs between 20-60% of work time.

-         Minor occurs less than 20% of work time.

·         Physical demand requirements:

-         Ability to understand, read, and carry out written instructions.

-         Ability to understand, read, and verify documents electronically, verbally, or hard copy.

-         Major amount of feeling/touch of items, finger use, eye-hand coordination, communicating, and seeing – near.

-         Moderate amount of standing, walking, sitting, turning/twisting, hearing, seeing – far, and depth perception.

-         Minor amount of lifting/carrying/pushing up to 50 pounds, stair climbing, ladder climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending at waist, handling of items, and foot-hand- eye coordination.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

·         The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·         This position primarily works in an office setting; however, this position may require fieldwork in variable weather conditions.

·         The incumbent must be able to work in variable weather conditions including, but not limited to rain, high winds, temperatures in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, large amounts of snow, possibly over long periods of time and in darkness, etc.

·         This position is subject to insect bites and stings.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

This position is classified as an exempt, non-represented position; and therefore, is not eligible for overtime compensation.  All Association employees are expected to work widely varying amounts of time outside the normal shifts to assist in power restoration or other needs of the Association.

MEA requires a post offer substance abuse test. Any positive test result or refusal to consent will disqualify an applicant from employment.

MEA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

Individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in any portion of the application or interview process should advise MEA in advance by calling 907-761-9218.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To apply, please visit www.mea.coop to submit an application by the closing date.

Matanuska Electric Association, Inc.

163 East Industrial Way (P.O. Box 2929), Palmer, Alaska  99645

Telephone: (907) 761-9218/ Fax:  (907) 761-9264

MEA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Veterans/Disabled employer.

Benefits Include

• 401(k) matching 2%
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance - $100/month for entire family
• Life insurance 100% paid by MEA
• Long Term Disability 100% paid by MEA
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off starts at 3.385 hrs/wk
• 11.5 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement Defined Benefit plan/Pension