April 27, 2024
Electric Energy Jobs

Principal Distribution System Engineer

Organization:
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Region:
Canada, California, Sacramento
End of contest:
May 6, 2024
Type:
Full time
Category:
Distribution engineer
Description
In pursuit of its Clean Energy Vision of zero carbon emissions by 2030, SMUD is leading the way to transform our utility and grid in a way that enables our customers to be part of the solution. As such, we are seeking an individual to lead SMUD's strategy in the transformation of our grid in the face of an increasingly distributed future in achieving our zero carbon goals. This position will report directly to the Director of Customer & Grid Strategy, and will focus on building and evaluating strategies that address some of the most critical opportunities facing our industry today. This grid strategist will define and coordinate the implementation of strategy for SMUD's distribution system to support strategic priorities such as reliability and resilience, zero carbon, inclusion and affordability, as well as provide leadership to advance the analytical tools and planning for integration of DERs and operation of SMUD's distribution system under zero carbon and very high levels of intermittent renewable energy. This work will include:

Leading the development of SMUD's Integrated Distribution Resource Plan (iDRP)
Coordinating data, studies and analytical needs between Integrated Distribution Resource Planning (iDRP), Integrated Resources Planning (IRP), Distribution Planning, and Grid Operations Planning;
Helping ensure that Zero Carbon solutions, requirements and opportunities are reflected in distribution planning studies; and
Developing analytical tools and approaches capable of realistically capturing a zero-carbon operations and planning environment.

This position sits within the Enterprise Strategy organization, which works cross-functionally to develop and execute strategies to support SMUD's industry-leading work in achieving our Clean Energy Vision.

Note: This position is posted until is a sufficient number of qualified applications are received and may close any time after September 22, 2023. For immediate consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Purpose

Performs and leads specialized professional technical and analytical functions in analyzing the performance of an assigned distribution system area and identifying corrective actions needed to ensure that the distribution system is configured to meet SMUD short, medium and long-range needs in an efficient, cost-effective and safe manner and is in compliance with SMUD guidelines and applicable laws and regulations.

Nature and Scope

Serves as a technical or functional expert or consultant providing expertise and/or direction in one or more areas of a professional discipline and assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also serve in a Lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring, and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating, and developing lower-level personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides leadership and participates in assigned tasks of a work unit in order to meet defined unit goals and schedules and comply with SMUD schedule, quality, quantity, safety, and performance standards; plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, and guides work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines by following established policies and precedents; communicates with team members and incorporates their input to processes and techniques; provides staff training; promotes staff safety and a safe work environment; assists in selecting and orienting new personnel; assists in evaluating work performance results; participates as a team member in accomplishing objectives; refers problems to supervisory staff when solutions are not readily achievable.
  • Ensures a safe, reliable, and economic power service to customers and to meet SMUD power needs; leads and performs complex distribution system planning and design including to monitor system planning and design; develops the philosophy, methodology, criteria, and standards for system analysis and design; develops, maintains, and revises related policies, rules, regulations, and programs; develops and oversees planning and analysis performance measures, work methods, procedures, and training programs.
  • Ensures that SMUD distribution system is configured and operated to provide the maximum output and the maximum operating flexibility within contractual, emissions and other limits; conducts complex analyses of system performance and projected systems demands by forecasting electrical load growth, modeling and analyzing system impacts, identifying system deficiencies, recommending cost-effective corrective actions, performing work justification studies, producing annual work plans for capital and OandM expenditures, assisting in accident/incident investigations and reviews, evaluating new technologies, and reviewing safety trends to identify areas for improvement
  • Provides inter-utility and intra-utility coordination and ensures the implementation of SMUD strategic business objectives; ensures that SMUD is represented in technical discussions with city, county, state, and federal regulatory agencies and in professional organizations developing industry technical standards and guidelines for electrical safety and distribution system planning by providing high level expertise and guidance; investigates and provides conceptual service design and performance documentation for special facilities agreements with very large and critical customers; prepares and presents program and policy initiatives and change proposals to SMUD executives and the Board of Directors; specifies distribution system modeling requirements and procedures; develops service requirements for customers that may generate and/or operate in parallel with SMUD distribution service; reviews relevant SMUD programs, projects, reports, and proposals to evaluate system impact; participates in the development of SMUD strategic plan; represents SMUD on technical and professional engineering committees such as ANSI, IEEE and regulatory commissions; serves as an expert witness in the area of distribution system planning.
  • Assists in administering the department budget; participates in planning, monitoring, and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures, and assignments to support the achievement of unit objectives in a fiscally responsible manner.
  • Ensures assigned work activities successfully contribute to the overall completion of department projects; plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews, and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedules as outlined in the project plan/contract.
  • Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Required Experience Qualifications

7 or more (7+) years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, and operation of electric utility distribution systems.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Valid California Drivers License.

Read the full posting.

Contact

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

6201 S St

Sacramento

California United States

www.smud.org