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Summary

Portland General Electric is looking for an individual with an understanding of distribution system operations who is forward-thinking and interested in learning new technology. In this role, you will work with our new Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and provide real-time engineering support for the Distribution System Operators.

The Grid Operations Distribution Engineer performs engineering work in an operations environment at PGE’s Integrated Operations Center. Grid Operations Distribution Engineers maintain PGE’s as-operated model of the distribution system in the Advanced Distribution Management System and assist in development and maintenance of advanced applications such as Distribution Power Flow calculations and Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration.

Grid Operations Distribution Engineers coordinate with other operations personnel to operate the distribution power system in a safe and reliable manner, performing review of planned operations, system analyses, and providing real-time engineering support to Distribution System Operators.

The distribution operations engineer has an expanded professional-level knowledge and experience in own area but continue to acquire higher-level knowledge and skills. They solve a range of more complex problems, analyze solutions using advanced knowledge and apply protocols. They operate independently and only receive a moderate amount of guidance and direction from others.

The senior distribution operations engineer has in-depth knowledge and experience; they use best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services. They solve complex problems and take a new perspective using existing solutions. Works independently; receiving minimal guidance and act as a resource for colleagues will less experience.

We're hiring for a position open to both career and senior level candidates. The level will be determined based on the successful applicant's qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills during the interview process.

The responsibilities for the distribution operations engineer:

• Applies professional engineering knowledge of distribution design, operations standards, and clearance management to day-to-day operations work for construction and operation of the distribution system. Interfaces with other PGE workgroups to validate standards or one-off configurations/operations are intended.

• Maintains accurate model of the distribution system in operational systems, Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and Outage Management System (OMS); maintains and refines advanced applications, such as calculated power flows, load forecasting, and Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR); monitors system model for potential reliability risks caused by abnormal system configurations

• Performs engineering review to apply knowledge of PGE construction and operations standards to distribution system modeling and planned system operations. Reviews changes to the system model and identifies and submits data corrections. Reviews planned distribution mainline work and coordinates conflict and issue resolution with stakeholders. Supports control center personnel with real-time outages and equipment or safety issues to identify resolution or system restoration

• Understands the holistic impact of a customer relationship and builds trusted relationships working with Distribution System Operators, Regional Engineers, and Key Customer Managers; communicates complex concepts to non-technical personnel.

The responsibilities for the senior distribution operations engineer:

• Provides professional engineering expertise on distribution design and operations standards from a control center perspective. Knowldege of standards is of increasing complexity, including in depth knowledge of voltage control equipment and settings, system protection and automation equipment and settings, and control system automation functions. Understanding of complex clearance management issues.

• Maintains accurate model of the distribution system in operational systems, Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and Outage Management System (OMS); maintains and refines advanced applications, such as calculated power flows, load forecasting, and Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR); monitors system model for potential reliability risks caused by abnormal system configurations

• Performs engineering review to apply knowledge of PGE construction and operations standards to distribution system modeling and planned system operations. Supports control center personnel with increasingly complex real-time outages and equipment or safety issues to identify resolution or system restoration. Supports special projects to improve accuracy of control system modeling data, power flow calculations results, resolve control systems configuration issues, review and propose resolutions to operational issues, or improve control systems automation capabilities.

• Act as SME for large distribution construction projects that require sequenced construction and multiple stages of modeling, switching and energization. Coordinate staging of work with stakeholders. Act as SME for technical projects for improvements to distribution control systems or resolving technical issues.

• Understands the holistic impact of a customer relationship and builds trusted relationships working with Distribution System Operators, Regional Engineers, and Key Customer Managers; communicates complex concepts to non-technical personnel.

Education/Experience/Certifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency, preferred.

Experience:

Distribution Operations Engineer – Two or more years in engineering.

Senior Distribution Operations Engineer - Five or more years in engineering, or four or more years in a related field with PE license.

Certifications: Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred. Valid driver’s license.

Functional Competencies:

Advanced knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.

Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and Advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.

Advanced knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures.

Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.

Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.

Working knowledge of construction feasibility.

Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration.

Advanced knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.

Advanced knowledge of applicable codes and standards related to the design and operation of the electrical distribution system.

Working skill designing overhead and underground distribution facilities, including relevant civil and electrical subsystems.

Advanced knowledge of real-time and off-line power flow and power system analysis software applications.

Advanced knowledge of work management, asset management, GIS and outage-management software applications.

Advanced knowledge of distribution protection schemes and device-coordination principles.

General Competencies:

Advanced accuracy skills. Advanced analytical thinking skills.

Working knowledge of the utility industry.

Advanced organization and prioritization skills.

Advanced problem-solving skills.

Advanced decision-making skills.

Advanced written and oral communication skills.

Advanced presentation skills.

Physical and Cognitive Demands:

Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Cognitive Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks Ability to follow accuracy standards

Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks

Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment

Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress

Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change

Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement

Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks

Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization

Demonstrates sound memory

Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance:

Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule

Ability to work long hours

Ability to work a variable schedule

Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather

Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.

Ability to work shift schedule

Ability to work on-call schedule

Physical Capabilities:

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Frequently (at least once a week or more)

• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)

• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

• Lifting/pushing/pulling: up to 10 lbs.

• Carrying: up to 10 lbs.

• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats):

• Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)

Environment - Indoor/Outdoor:

• Office

• Plant

• Field

#LI-CD1, #LI-Onsite

Compensation Range:

$81,450.00 - $160,500.00

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here (https://portlandgeneral.com/hrcs5511) .

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter) associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team is also available for support. You can contact them at dei@pgn.com .

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.

At Portland General Electric, we’re innovators, builders, and achievers. We’re committed to powering our customers’ potential and making a difference for our community and the planet. Today, that commitment includes developing an intelligent and resilient electric grid, electrifying transportation and de-carbonizing the energy sector.

We’re proud to deliver an exceptional experience to help our customers thrive. Our mission is to make clean, reliable and affordable energy services available to all. We obsess over serving customers and are committed to growing employee career paths with purpose. Equity and inclusion are core business values; we celebrate our differences and are committed to developing teams that reflect the communities we serve.