Role and Responsibilities

The purpose of this position is to be a hands-on field technician responsible for the inspection and documentation of ETEC’s substations, switching stations, communication hubs, transmission line, and right-of-way (ROW). This position will consist of a 75/25 split of time in the field and in the office. This position will serve as ETEC’s primary field representative, responsible for collecting data and entering it into ETEC’s asset integrity and maintenance database to ensure accurate recordkeeping, ongoing maintenance, and compliance with applicable regulations.

• Responsible for the inspection of ETEC’s transmission system and substations on a periodic basis in compliance with industry best-practices and ETEC policy to ensure the integrity of ETEC’s system is intact and records are produced and stored
• Transmission patrols involve walking ROWs, flying ROWs via helicopter, and riding ROWs via side by side and pickup
• Substation patrols to involve walking perimeter and across the yard to verify and document readings and statuses
• Support ETEC members with transmission patrols and inspections, if requested or required
• Support Manager of Transmission Services with regular check ins and quality checks on ROW maintenance contractors
• Support Manager of Transmission Services with periodic and sporadic landowner complaints and damage investigations
• Measure, record, and document substation and switching station facilities for monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual inspections and minor maintenance activities
• Measurements to include but not limited to:
• DC Voltage, AC Voltage, gas pressures, operations counters, analog values, binary values, change in states, present alarms, damage, etc.
• Maintenance Activities to include but not limited to:
• Eye-wash replacement, fire extinguisher replacement, transportation of materials, etc.
• Coordinate with member coops on maintenance and repair activities led by ETEC
• Gather and enter data into ETEC’s asset integrity and maintenance record database
• Data to include but not limited to:
• Substation nameplate information, substation inspection information, transmission equipment nameplate information, transmission inspection information, etc.
• Assists other members of the ETEC staff with field installations of batteries, communications equipment, SCADA applications, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Note: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position, and the duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Two years of power distribution and/or transmission and substation experience required
• General knowledge of AC and DC electrical systems and ability to troubleshoot required
• General knowledge of electric utility operations and systems preferred

• Associate’s degree in electrical technology or similar field of study preferred.
• Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, member cooperatives and the general public
• Maintains a professional demeanor with a positive, service-focused attitude
• Demonstrates a strong willingness to continuously learn new technologies and skill sets
• Ability to adapt to changing working environments, demands, and priorities
• Ability to travel for work, including overnight travel
• Ability to work outside for majority of the day (approximately 75% of the work week)

About East Texas Electric Cooperative

East Texas Electric Cooperative (ETEC) is an electric generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Nacogdoches, Texas. ETEC provides wholesale electricity to 10 distribution cooperatives, serving more than 340,000 homes and businesses. ETEC serves load within Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) as well as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).  

Connections working at East Texas Electric Cooperative