Summary Description: The DER P&C Engineer is on the staff of the Manager, DER Engineering under the Director, Energy Services & Technology and within Energy Delivery. This position will support the Manager, DER Engineering through collaboration with multi-departmental teams to develop and implement technologies that support NCEMC’s fleet of reciprocating generators, microgrids, solar plus storage, stand-alone systems (including solar and storage), and other DER.
Academic and Trade Qualifications: A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, computer science, or other analytically intensive equivalent is required (work experience with industrial controls and automation can supplement a degree of lessor analytical intensity).
Work Experience: A minimum of four years of progressive controls/automation and/or power/energy industry experience in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) automation coding, engineering, and design or utility operations, planning, SCADA operations or another related field. Additional experience will be considered based on applicant’s qualifications, and hiring level will be commensurate with education, experience, and responsibility.
Responsibilities: Detailed design engineering (design, improvement, and maintenance) of NCEMC’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) and diesel controls, monitoring, and metering systems to include but not be limited to SEL RTACs, relays, and metering. The position will become the subject matter expert (SME) for NCEMC on DER controls, monitoring, and metering systems. The position is responsible for educating and providing oversight to 3rd party vendors. This position is also responsible for becoming an SME for NCEMC’s fleet of existing and future reciprocating engine generation.
Specific Responsibilities Include
Support the design, commissioning, construction, and operation of new NCEMC DER projects
Act as the NCEMC SME for DER systems, including planned and emergency support of the NCEMC DER and diesel Fleet
Develop and implement plans to improve the performance of existing and future DER
Develop and maintain an in-depth knowledge of NCEMC’s DER and diesel systems and components including: OSI PI historian, protective relays, meters, RTUs, and site controllers
Develop comprehensive sequence of operations for Microgrids
Lead the expansion and research of Microgrid projects to include new opportunities and use cases that fit within design criteria and contractual requirements
Develop and maintain relationships with strategic external vendors and partnerships that support the construction, commissioning, and operation of NCEMC’s DER Fleet
Lead research efforts on new and existing technology that can be implemented at member cooperatives to expand the effectiveness of DER
Act as Project Manager for DER Engineering related projects as assigned
Maintain and update regularly the NCEMC DER Technical Requirements in support of new technologies and increased experience
Supporting Roles
Provided technical support to other internal departments to ensure lessons learned and technical design standards are utilized to ensure consistency and operability
Manage relationships with research partners to meet the objectives of site-specific projects
Reporting
Lead stakeholder meetings (internal/external) to engage stakeholders and share project information
Develop and deliver reports on workplace activities as directed by the Manager, DER Engineering
Develop presentations and white papers in support of updating NCEMC and cooperative leadership, providing case studies to NCEMC and partner entities, and advertising the capabilities of NCEMC’s DER fleet
General
Develop and maintain a working knowledge and understanding of NCEMC’s resource portfolio and underlying contracts as well as NCEMC’s wholesale rate structure
Develop and maintain optimal working relationships and coordination between various groups at NCEMC including Power Supply, Innovation & Business Development, IT, Accounting, and Communications
Monitor regulatory and industry requirements for DER
Assist in collection of data, analysis, and technology investigation in support of these new DER
Monitor developments and trends in DER technology to prepare for implementation at member cooperatives
Assist with annual work plan and budget preparations
Routinely report on activities in work area
Maintain professional development
Perform other duties as directed by the Manager, DER Engineering
Job Knowledge:
Experience leading project teams and project management experience is strongly desired
Detailed working knowledge of SEL software and hardware is required
Knowledge in the areas of distribution operations, SCADA, distributed generation, and metering are required
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safety standards, operational standards, and best practices related to DER projects (ie IEEE standards, UL safety standards, and EPRI best practices)
The candidate should have a good working knowledge of the power/energy industry
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market conditions including policy, interconnection, permitting, and competition
Detailed working knowledge of personal computers is necessary, including software applications required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required, MS project software skills is a plus
Abilities and Skills:
Analytical mindset with a desire to problem solve
Experience with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (Access and VBA are plusses)
Able to be responsible for a project from start to finish
Strong written and oral communications skills with the ability to develop presentations and reports
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills capable of maintaining strong relationships
Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills
Substantive experience of successfully working with and leading diverse teams of creative and support staff
Relationships and Contacts:
Reports to:
Manager of DER Engineering and is accountable to them for results achieved
Directs: None
Internal Relationships: Shall develop and maintain internal relationships necessary to achieve the purpose of the position and the desired results
External Relationships: Shall develop and maintain external relationships necessary to achieve the purpose of the position and the desired results
Working Conditions:
Normal office conditions with occasional overtime, travel to member cooperatives, overnight travel to NCEMC generation and DER sites, and overnight travel to industry related training and conferences. NCEMC is currently working in the office 3 days a week and from home 2 days a week.
Company Profile: NCEMC (http://ncemcs.com/about/ncemc.htm) is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the nation and is the power supplier for most of the state's member cooperatives. NCEMC acquires the power it sells to its member cooperatives in a number of ways, including asset ownership and Purchased Power Agreements.
North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment.
North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives (http://ncemcs.com/about/ncemc.htm) is the brand for the family of organizations formed to support the state’s 26 local electric cooperatives, including: North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, the power supplier to many of the electric cooperatives; North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, the cooperatives’ trade association; and Tarheel Electric Membership Association, Inc. (TEMA), a central purchasing and materials-supply cooperative.
North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment.