Electric Reliability & Standards Engineer - OEU

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
This professional engineering position is responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and standardization of Ocala Electric Utility’s transmission and distribution systems. The Electric Reliability & Standards Engineer leads the analysis and improvement of system reliability performance, manages the development and enforcement of construction and material standards, and provides technical direction for protection coordination, fault studies, and corrective design.

The position collaborates closely with the Electric Engineering Supervisor – Planning & Design to ensure design practices align with system reliability strategies and long-term infrastructure goals. It functions as a technical authority and subject-matter expert supporting Engineering, Operations, and Procurement to strengthen electric system integrity, efficiency, and customer reliability. This position reports directly to the Engineering & GIS Manager or designee.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-Lead System Reliability Analysis and Performance Improvement: Monitor, analyze, and report on electric system reliability indices (SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI, MAIFI, etc.). Investigate outages, equipment failures, and recurring reliability concerns. Recommend corrective actions and coordinate implementation with Operations, Engineering, and T&D field crews. Develop and maintain dashboards and reports that track reliability trends and performance improvements across the utility.

-Develop and Maintain Construction and Material Standards: Lead the creation, review, and publication of electric system construction and material standards. Evaluate materials and vendors to ensure quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness. Maintain the approved materials catalog and coordinate with all stakeholders on specification updates and stocking strategies. Provide training and guidance to engineers, technicians, and field staff on new standards, materials, and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.

-Perform Protection, Coordination, and Relaying Engineering: Lead the development and application of protection philosophies, coordination standards, and distribution relaying schemes for the transmission and distribution system. Conduct system-wide fault and coordination studies to ensure proper protection margins, device selectivity, and compliance with reliability and safety standards. Develop, maintain, and verify relay settings and protective-device parameters, including reclosers, fuses, and sectionalizing equipment. Collaborate with Substation, T&D, and System Operations personnel to implement, test, and validate protection and automation schemes. Provide technical guidance on relay applications, coordination practices, and communication interfaces supporting system protection and reliability objectives.

-Provide Engineering Governance and Technical Expertise: Serve as a subject-matter expert during post-event technical evaluations, reliability investigations, and engineering reviews. Maintain system models and reliability-related datasets. Review and recommend technology, automation, and analytical tools that improve reliability performance. Participate in cross-departmental working groups addressing reliability, standards, and asset performance.

-Support Operational Coordination and System Analysis: Provide technical and analytical support to System Operations, Substation, and T&D staff to ensure effective coordination and reliable system performance. Collaborate on operational planning, event analysis, and post-incident reviews to identify system improvements and enhance protection and reliability practices. Serve as a reliability liaison between Engineering and System Operations to align operational activities with engineering standards and reliability objectives.

-Lead Continuous Improvement and Documentation Initiatives: Maintain detailed records of reliability studies, standards revisions, and materials evaluations. Prepare technical reports and presentations for management summarizing reliability trends, material performance, and improvement initiatives. Support long-term planning efforts and contribute to capital improvement recommendations through data-driven reliability analysis.

Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, s
kill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical preferred; Mechanical considered) from an accredited college or university. An equivalent combination of education and training may be considered.

-Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in electric utility reliability, protection, or standards engineering.

-Experience must include system analysis, fault and coordination studies, and the development or maintenance of protective-device settings and construction standards.

-Must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), IEEE protection and coordination standards, and electric utility engineering analysis and modeling software.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
-Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.

-Certification or documented training in electric utility protection and coordination principles is preferred at time of hire and required within twelve (12) months of employment.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
-E.I.T. (Engineer-in-Training) or F.E. (Fundamentals of Engineering) certification preferred.
-P.E. (Professional Engineer) license desirable.
-Specialized training or certification in protective relaying, coordination, or power-system protection.

Supplemental Information

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING
MODERATELY DIRECTED. Activities covered by wide-ranging policies and courses of action, and generally directed as to execution and review.

PLANNING
With regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner and/or sequence of performance of own work. CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY; may also occasionally assist in the planning of work assignments performed by others within a limited area of operation.

DECISION MAKING
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of minor importance. FREQUENTLY;
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of major importance. FREQUENTLY;

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and understand common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to comprehend and apply principles of advanced calculus, modern algebra, and advanced statistical theory.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with noverbal, logical or scientific symbolism such as formulas, scientific equations, and graphs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under general direction, WORKING FROM POLICIES AND GENERAL DIRECTIVES. RARELY REFERS SPECIFIC CASES TO supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.

MENTAL DEMAND
HIGHLY INTENSE; Continual involvement with strategic and operational management functions which relate to both the short-term and long-term time periods.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTER
Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.

ACCURACY
Probable errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and could have serious effects in relationships with patrons and/or with the operations of other segments of the organization. Frequent possibilities of error would exist at all times.

PUBLIC CONTACT
Regular contacts with patrons initiated by the employee. Involves furnishing and obtaining information and, attempting to influence the decisions of those contacted. Failure to exercise proper judgment may result in important losses to the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT
Contact with other departments or offices and also frequently with individuals in middle level positions; consulting on problems that necessitate judgment and tact, plus frequent contact with senior level internal officials.

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED
Accounting Basic
Alphanumeric Data Entry Intermediate
Contact Management Basic
Database Advanced
Enterprise Resource Planning Intermediate
Human Resources Systems Basic
Payroll Systems None
Presentation/PowerPoint Advanced
Programming Languages Intermediate
Spreadsheet Advanced
Word Processing/Typing Advanced

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE SKILLS
Proficient in specialized engineering and analytical software used for electric system modeling, protection coordination, and reliability analysis. 
Experienced with data visualization and reporting platforms to evaluate system performance and support decision-making. 
Demonstrates strong skills in Microsoft Office applications, AutoCAD, and GIS-based programs to develop, document, and maintain construction standards and technical records.
Experience with Milsoft modeling software or similar electric utility analysis platforms is preferred.

OTHER SKILLS
Requires expert knowledge of electric system reliability, protection coordination, and construction standards. 
Must demonstrate strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex technical data and develop sound engineering recommendations. 
Requires a high level of attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and efficiency. 
Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with staff at all levels, contractors, and other utility departments.
Demonstrates sound professional judgment, initiative, and a commitment to continuous improvement in support of system reliability and operational excellence.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
While performing the functions of this job, the employee may be required to:
Stand Frequently
Walk Frequently
Sit Regularly
Use hands to handle or feel Continuously
Reach with hands and arms Regularly
Climb or balance Occasionally
Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl Occasionally
Talk or hear Continuously
Taste or smell Never

WEIGHT LIFT REQUIREMENTS
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move:
Up to 50 pounds

VISION REQUIREMENT
Specific vision abilities required by this job may include:
Ability to adjust focus (work duties that require the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus at various distances or focal lengths).

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work near moving mechanical parts (spinning shafts, engines, lifts, etc.) Occasionally
Work in high, precarious places (tall structures, bucket lifts, extension ladders, etc.) Never
Fumes or airborne particles (painting, sanding, solvents, flying lint or dust particles, etc.) Never
Toxic or caustic chemicals (including potential for chemical spills, etc.) Never
Outdoor weather conditions (exposure to outdoor heat, cold or inclement weather) Regularly
Wet or humid conditions (not weather-related, such as greenhouse, carwash, etc.) Never
Extreme cold (not weather-related, such as freezer, cold storage, etc.) Never
Extreme heat not weather-related, such as furnace, kitchen, ovens, etc. where temp is regularly above 100 degrees F) Never
Risk of electrical shock (live electrical wires, equipment that retains power after shutoff) Regularly
Work with explosives (TNT, dynamite, nitroglycerine or other related explosives) Never
Risk of radiation (x-ray equipment, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) Occasionally
Vibration (jack hammer, soil compactor, equipment that creates high vibration, etc.) Never
The noise level in the work environment is usually Moderate (business office with computers/printers, light traffic, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Emphasis is on engineering governance, system protection, and reliability analysis. 
This position requires a high degree of technical independence, analytical judgment, and professional accountability to ensure that construction standards, materials, and operating practices support long-term system reliability, safety, and efficiency. 
Work involves close collaboration with Engineering, T&D, Substation, Operations, and Procurement staff to evaluate system performance and implement reliability improvements. 
The position functions as a senior technical expert responsible for maintaining compliance with applicable codes, standards, and industry best practices. 
Participation in after-hours response, technical review, or post-event analysis may occasionally be required.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).