Distribution Engineer

Position Summary

The Distribution Engineer plans, coordinates, and oversees the Distribution Engineering Department to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the distribution system while making the best use of personnel, materials, and financial resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement engineering studies and plans, including construction work plans, long-range plans, sectionalizing studies, and arc flash studies.
• Ensure construction meets RUS and NESC standards through design guidelines, staff training, project inspections, and work order reviews.
• Design electrical distribution systems for residential and commercial developments and manage annual lot refunds to developers.
• Manage inventory and purchasing of standard line materials and high-value equipment, including cable, transformers, regulators, OCRs, and conductor.
• Oversee the GIS system to maintain accurate maps and ensure integration with other software.
• Coordinate daily schedules, assignments, and workloads for department employees.
• Assist with the installation, development, and maintenance of engineering and operations software.
• Perform engineering analyses to support system reliability and efficiency, including voltage studies, fault analysis, transformer loading, AMI, and SCADA.
• Support Operations with system switching, outage management, and other needs.
• Participate in on-call coverage as needed to maintain reliable service for Cooperative members.
• Prepare and submit required reliability reports, reliability plans, and other technical reports to the Iowa Utilities Board and external organizations.
• Support Member Support with reports, troubleshooting, and technical assistance.
• Assist the Director of Engineering with the annual budget and manage purchases within approved funding.
• Lead, mentor, and develop department employees to improve performance and technical skills.
• Identify training needs and provide regular employee feedback and annual performance reviews.

Qualifications

Candidates must be able to perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities.

• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, schematics, and construction plans.
• Knowledge of electric cooperative operations, including transmission, substations, and distribution systems.
• Familiarity with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), RUS standards, and National Electrical Code (NEC).
• Understanding of Cooperative policies, procedures, service rules, and regulations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field required.
• Electric utility engineering experience preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid driver's license required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, or ability to obtain one.

Physical Demands

The position requires regular sitting, hand use, reaching, and communication; frequent standing; and occasional walking and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds. The employee must have close, distance, and color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Interested in joining our team?

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