Career Center

Job Title: Data Engineer I, II, or III

United Power is launching a data initiative for a data lake with ETL pipelines.  Interested applicants should include either in the resume or cover letter a description of the work experience/knowledge you possess in any of the following areas:

• Microsoft SQL Servers including SQL Server Integration Services either on-premise or Azure
• Microsoft Azure Cloud Data Lake
• Microsoft Dataverse
• Azure Data Factory & Azure Synapse Pipelines
• Azure Data Lake
• Azure Open Datasets
• Azure Databricks
• PowerBI
• PowerBI Gateway
• PowerBI Report Server
• Python
• PowerShell
• SQL – particularly Microsoft and Oracle
• NoSQL
• Understanding of virtualization, Windows Servers, Active Directory 

Position Purpose and Objectives: 

This classification is an experienced multi-level class in which incumbents will be assigned to the appropriate level based on their experience and may progress the levels as proficiency and discretion advances. 

This position is responsible for embracing and supporting the vision and mission of the cooperative and the department. Contributes to an excellent end user and member experience. Receives general supervision and direction primarily from the CIO and for specific infrastructure related matters from the IT Director of Infrastructure & Operations.

The data environment at United Power includes customer and billing data, financial data, meter data, electrical system data from a variety of technology sources including databases and flat files. Major responsibilities of this position are the design, implementation, maintenance, and support of a structured/unstructured data environment and the corresponding ETL data pipelines. This position works closely with the IT Infrastructure Engineers to implement any infrastructure required to support the solutions. This is a hybrid position, eligible to work primarily remote, subject to the United Power hybrid work agreement. On-site work may require the incumbent to report to any United Power location with little notice, depending on business needs and projects.

Job Classification and Progression: 

The Data Engineer class series consists of three positions: Data Engineer I, II, and III. Positions in the Data Engineer class series are flexibly staffed and based on demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

The Data Engineer I level is expected to have and maintain working knowledge of the following:

SQL and NoSQL queries
Structured and non-structured data environments – data lakes, data warehouses.
Python or PowerShell
Reporting or visualization tools such as PowerBI and data analysis tools at a sufficient level to converse with the users of those tools.
 

AND demonstrate the abilities to perform the following, with supervision, in an established environment.

• ETL solution administration, support and collaborate effectively with IT Infrastructure Engineers.
• Provide excellent customer service to peers and end users.
• Achieve and progress understanding of all data sources and analyst’s requirements for data in the context of business goals.
   

In the Data Engineer II level in the series, incumbents possess all Level I skills with more in-depth experience plus:

Working knowledge of Microsoft related ETL products.
Familiarity with Microsoft IaaS, PaaS, SaaS products and solutions, Microsoft Azure
 

AND demonstrate the abilities to perform the following independently with only broad direction:

• Ability to gather requirements, design, engineer, and implement a primarily Microsoft based data lake and corresponding ETL solution in consultation with external consultants or Data Engineer III.
• Author and use PowerShell or Python to support ETL solution.
• Continuously review, improve, and progress the data lake/ETL environment in consultation with Data Engineer III or external consultant.
• Achieve in-depth technical understanding and ability to independently administer the solution in collaboration with the IT Infrastructure Engineers.
   

In the Data Engineer III level in the series, incumbents demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience in all Level II skills plus:

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of:

United Power’s data lake and ETL solution
 

AND demonstrate the abilities to perform the following independently with only broad direction:

• Ability to independently gather meaningful requirements from non-experts, design, engineer, and implement a primarily Microsoft based data lake and corresponding ETL solution.
• Author and use PowerShell or Python to support ETL solution.
• Continuously review, improve, and progress the data lake and ETL environment.
   

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

The individual in this role will support UPI's business intelligence and big data initiatives by:

• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, understanding their data needs.
• Understanding how the business works, and how the business processes are reflected in the data.
• Collaborating with the stakeholders, IT Infrastructure in identifying appropriate solutions and leading the implementation of those solutions.
• Developing and implementing databases, data collection systems, and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources in the most efficient manner.
• Collaborate with the IT Infrastructure team on their maintenance and progression of the unstructured and structured data platforms.
• Creating proactive monitoring to learn about data breakages or inconsistencies right away.
• Provides guidance to and collaborates with the Infrastructure Engineers in the design and day-to-day management of the on-premises Microsoft SQL Server environments, including maintenance plans, backup strategy and high-availability planning.
• Stays abreast of emerging data technologies, understanding and articulating their advantages and costs.
• Achieves and maintains a working knowledge of Oracle Relational Database Server to effectively liaise with the support vendor and support internal data consumers.
• Supports the organization’s data warehouse and big data analysis ambitions by providing expertise on available solutions and becoming the subject matter expert on the selected platform.
• Participates in a 24x7 on-call schedule within the department.
• While the position will be primarily located in one office, up to 50% of the time may be spent at other offices or in the field depending on business needs and projects.  
• Accepts accountability for all areas of responsibility and holds peers accountable.
• Job duties may include other duties as assigned.
• Creates, expands, and maintains professional and productive working relationships with peers and stakeholders. Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation in the workplace
   

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Must be proactive, demonstrate initiative, and be a logical thinker.
• Demonstrated aptitude for learning new technologies, with curiosity and ability to formulate questions when identifying and evaluating solutions or researching problems.
• Extremely high level of customer service ethic. Show empathy for data users.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as a member of a team.
• Possess exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to determine the technical skill level of the information recipient, and to formulate and tailor communications accordingly.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation in the workplace.
• Ability to work independently based on general and specific direction, project task assignments, and departments’ priorities. Day to day work is self-initiated and self-directed.
• Demonstrated knowledge, commensurate with position class in Microsoft related ETL solutions.
• Demonstrated knowledge, commensurate with position class in SQL and NoSQL queries.
• Demonstrated knowledge commensurate with position class in structured and non-structured data environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge commensurate with position class in recent/current versions of Microsoft SQL Server, SSRS, SSIS, SQL Agent, SQL backup and recovery strategies, and maintenance plans at a sufficient level to collaborate effectively with the Infrastructure Engineers in administering and managing these environments.
• Working knowledge of cloud infrastructure terminology and technology (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), including hybrid cloud models.
• Basic awareness of IT infrastructure components including TCP/IP networks, servers, virtualization, cybersecurity best practices.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of data visualization tools and best practices, such as PowerBI.
• Demonstrated working knowledge in the use of one or more of the following: PowerShell, Python.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives both general and specific, guidance and direction from CIO and IT Director of Infrastructure & Operations.

Education, Training and Experience: 

Data Engineer I/II/III

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in computer science, information systems or a closely related field. Equivalency may be demonstrated through a combination of training and progressively responsible experience that resulted in the required specialized knowledge and abilities to perform the assigned work in lieu of a degree.

Data Engineer II

AND combined 2 years advanced, hands-on technical engineering and administration experience in technologies relevant to the position.

Data Engineer III

AND combined 4 years advanced, hands-on technical engineering and administration experience in technologies relevant to the position.

Problem Solving: 

Ability to collaborate with others to participate in root cause analysis and solve problems both within and outside area of technical expertise.

Data Engineer I

Participates in business requirements analysis. Diagnoses and resolves common or routine technical problems independently using defined standards and procedures. Increases the frequency of solving moderately complex problems independently. Participates in root cause analysis.

Data Engineer II

Co-leads business requirements analysis and solution design with outside consultant or Data Engineer III. Diagnoses and resolves most moderately complex technical problems independently using defined standards and procedures. Increases the frequency of solving highly complex problems independently. Leads and participates in root cause analysis.

Data Engineer III

Independently leads business requirements analysis and solution design. Diagnoses and resolves most highly complex technical problems independently. Leads root cause analysis and identifies and evaluates possible solutions.

Discretion/Latitude: 

Works independently and as a member of the IT team, based on general and specific direction, Service Desk cases, project task assignments, department’s priorities. Day to day work is self-initiated and self-directed based on priorities established by CIO, IT Director of Infrastructure & Operations, or IT project managers.

Data Engineer I

Ability to organize and drive own daily activities based on both broad and specific directives, processes and procedures, with ability to meet multiple finish lines, and effectively handle multiple tasks.

Data Engineer II/III

Ability to organize and drive own daily activities based on primarily on broad directives, processes and procedures, with ability to meet multiple finish lines, and effectively handle multiple tasks with little direct guidance.

Impact: 

It is essential that the end users’ and members’ experience with the technology environment be positive, safe and productive. This position significantly contributes to that experience, and United Power’s ability to deliver services to our members. This role is critical to the goal of delivering a reliable and high-performance data infrastructure.

Liaison:

Works with all employees and external vendors.

Essential Physical & Mental Requirements: 

• Majority of time requires sitting, bending at neck, waist, legs, and arms; twisting body; and changing positions at will. Occasional driving, standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching and stooping.
• Requires repetitive motions with hands and fingers such as keyboarding, use of telephones, cell phones, etc.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
• Noise level in work environment is moderate. Work requires close attention to detail and accuracy and is varied in nature with regular interruptions.
• Work is subject to irregular hours.
• Requires the ability to drive a vehicle between office locations.
   

Working Conditions: 

Office setting 95% of the time.  5% of the time may need to work in a support role while outdoors, in a warehouse or maintenance environment (dust, uneven surfaces and all types of weather and temperature variations). While the position will be primarily located in one office, up to 50% of the time may be spent at other offices depending on business needs and projects.

Typical hiring range:

Level 1: $81,164 - $57,509 annual salary, with a grade maximum of $93,854 per year

Level 2: $93,360 - $105,852 annual salary, with a grade maximum of $118,043 per year

Level 3: $114,975 - $132,780 annual salary, with a grade maximum of $150,585 per year

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes an employee retirement plan, 401K with match, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. For a full list of benefits, please visit our careers page at https://www.unitedpower.com/careers.

United Power is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. United Power prohibits discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, military or veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

NOTE: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other job responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.

 Management reserves the right to change position descriptions, specifications or work schedules to accommodate individuals with disabilities or as the need arises. 

 This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.