UTILITIES PROTECTION SENIOR ENGINEER - SUBSTATION

Salary : $127,296.00 - $154,728.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-7180-03
Department: Public Utilities-Electric
Division: PU-Elec-Production & Operation
Opening Date: 08/08/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
The Position
The City of Riverside, Public Utilities Department (RPU) is accepting applications from current employees for the position of UTILITIES PROTECTION SENIOR ENGINEER - SUBSTATION to fill one (1) vacancy in the Electric Division. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.
This is a Protection Relay Senior Engineer position in the Riverside Public Utilities Substation Engineering Group. The Protection Engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and reliability of our substations through the design and analysis of protective relaying schemes. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in substation protection & control design, a detail-oriented approach, and a dedication to engineering excellence.
Under general supervision, the Utilities Protection Senior Engineer is to perform supervisory and professional electrical engineering work in the design, investigation and construction of electric utility projects and to do related work as required. As incumbents progress through this job series, projects become considerably more technically demanding and may involve direct supervisory responsibilities and duties.
**Actual job classification is .
Work Performed
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform complex studies of technical, environmental and economic feasibility, engineering field studies and related studies pertaining to proposed and existing system facilities.
• Plan their own work and the work of others. Complete special projects that are frequently long and complex, requiring advanced engineering and technical ability. The projects often involve new, innovative and original ideas. This responsibility includes such projects as:
• Develop and update written directives for their department and for use by other employees to include:

Engineering Guidelines
Standard Material Lists Standard Specifications
Other technical and administrative policies and procedures as appropriate

• Research activities pertaining to new and failed materials, engineering and construction practices.
• Economic, loading, load flow, and project justification reports.
• Other directives as required.
• Develop major engineering projects and other engineering projects with unique problems which have an important effect on other major utility projects.
• Provide background information and documentation for management consideration on major projects and technical matters involving advanced engineering theories, concepts and principles.
• Work with other engineering personnel of limited experience in an advisory capacity or supervisory capacity.
• Make sound decisions independently on technical problems and methods related to the work being performed.

Qualifications
Education : Graduation with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from a college or university with an accredited four or five year degree program in electrical engineering. A bachelor's degree in civil or mechanical engineering from a college or university with an accredited four or five year degree program and two additional year's of experience doing professional electric utility engineering can substitute for an electrical engineering degree. The completion of post-graduate courses related to electric utility engineering is highly desirable. Registration as a Professional Engineer cannot substitute for the required education.
Experience : Four years of experience in professional electric utility engineering work comparable to that of in the City of Riverside Electric Utility. Registration in California as a Professional Engineer is highly desirable or may be required as a matter of law, depending of the assigned responsibilities.
Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Designing protective relaying schemes for high voltage substations to ensure reliable and securing operation of electrical power systems.
• Developing and implementing relaying settings using knowledge of microprocessor relays to optimize system protection.
• Conducting detailed event analysis to identify and rectify potential issues, enhancing system resilience.
• Performing comprehensive engineering studies, including short circuit analysis, relay coordination, CT saturation studies, and arc flash hazard analysis, to support system design and safety.
• Developing sequence of operation documents and functional descriptions to clearly define system behaviors under various conditions.
• Creating, reviewing, and approving substation design drawings, including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, breaker schematics, and control schematics, ensuring they meet industry standards and project requirements.
• Ensuring compliance with NERC PRC standards, specifically PRC-005-6 and PRC-006-5, to meet regulatory requirements and maintain system integrity.
• Coordinating with substation design and test groups to facilitate smooth implementation of protection schemes and ensure that all components of the substation design integrate effectively.
• Leading and supporting the testing and commissioning of protective relay systems, working closely with the substation design and test groups to validate system performance and reliability.

Necessary Special Requirement
Possession of an appropriate, valid class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: ( Application Guide).
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
Positions that require, or may require, a California Commercial Driver's License are considered Safety Sensitive and are monitored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Any candidate being considered for a Safety Sensitive position must submit authorization forms to the City immediately upon request to begin the pre-employment process.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Level II includes Senior Management, Management and Professional classifications (Exempt).
The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.

• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation.The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. And is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
  
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,516 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
  
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $45 per month.
  
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
  
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to two times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000 (up to $700k) plus AD&D. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).

• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $100 per month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
  
• Leave Benefits - Includes all the typical vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits.
  
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
  
• Long Term Disability - The City offers optional enrollment in the Long Term Disability Plan.
  
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.

• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
  
• Vacation Accrual - 0-9 yrs. = 144 hrs., 10+ yrs. = 184 hrs.
  
• Administrative Leave - 64 hrs per fiscal year.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01
Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03
Do you possess a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from a college or university with an accredited four or five year degree program in electrical engineering?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess a bachelor's degree in civil or mechanical engineering from a college or university with an accredited four or five year degree program?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you completed post-graduate courses related to electric utility engineering?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you registered in California as a Professional Engineer (PE)?

• Yes
• No

07
How many years of experience do you possess in professional electric utility engineering work comparable to that of Utilities Associate Electrical Engineer in the City of Riverside Electric Utility (linked in posting).

• Less than 4 years
• More than 4 years, less than 5 years
• More than 5 years, less than 6 years
• 6 years, or more

08
Please indicate if you possess experience in the following, check all that apply.

• Designing protective relaying schemes for high voltage substations to ensure reliable and securing operation of electrical power systems.
• Developing and implementing relaying settings using knowledge of microprocessor relays to optimize system protection.
• Conducting detailed event analysis to identify and rectify potential issues, enhancing system resilience.
• Performing comprehensive engineering studies, including short circuit analysis, relay coordination, CT saturation studies, and arc flash hazard analysis, to support system design and safety.
• Developing sequence of operation documents and functional descriptions to clearly define system behaviors under various conditions.
• None of the above

09
Please indicate if you possess experience in the following, check all that apply.

• Creating, reviewing, and approving substation design drawings, including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, breaker schematics, and control schematics, ensuring they meet industry standards and project requirements.
• Ensuring compliance with NERC PRC standards, specifically PRC-005-6 and PRC-006-5, to meet regulatory requirements and maintain system integrity.
• Coordinating with substation design and test groups to facilitate smooth implementation of protection schemes and ensure that all components of the substation design integrate effectively.
• Leading and supporting the testing and commissioning of protective relay systems, working closely with the substation design and test groups to validate system performance and reliability.
• None of the above

10
Please indicate the type of valid driver's license you currently possess.

• None
• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Out of State License

11
Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question