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OC
Orange County Water District
Senior Engineer / Principal Engineer
Career Insights for Electrical Substation Engineer
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What they do
An Electrical Substation Engineer is responsible for substation design including schematic development, physical layouts, equipment, and construction cost estimates.
$135,428 / year median in California
Job Description
Description Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. The Senior Engineer is the fourth level in a five-level engineering series. Incumbents are responsible for performing professional-level engineering duties in managing small to moderately complex engineering projects. The Senior Engineer is distinguished from the Associate Engineer and the Engineer by the increased level of responsibility and complexity of assigned work. The Senior Engineer is distinguished from the Principal Engineer, which is responsible for managing larger-scale, more complex engineering projects. The Principal Engineer is the fifth level in a five-level engineering series. Incumbents are responsible for managing large-scale, complex engineering projects. The Principal Engineer is distinguished from the Assistant Engineer, Associate Engineer, Engineer, and Senior Engineer by responsibility for serving as project manager on the District's most complex engineering projects and providing advanced technical leadership. Examples of Duties The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Manages engineering projects from planning through design, permitting, bidding, construction, and project closeout. Plans, organizes, and coordinates project scope, schedules, budgets, consultant services, and construction activities. Reviews engineering designs, plans, specifications, calculations, technical reports, and consultant work products for technical accuracy and compliance with District standards. Develops requests for proposals; evaluates consultant qualifications and technical proposals; negotiates scopes of work; and manages consultant contracts. Monitors project progress, budgets, schedules, and expenditures; identifies project risks and develops recommendations to resolve technical and project-related issues. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, permits, environmental requirements, and District policies. Provides engineering analyses, technical recommendations, and professional advice to management, project teams, and other District departments. Prepares and presents technical reports, agenda items, presentations, correspondence, and recommendations to management, committees, regulatory agencies, and the Board of Directors, as assigned. Conducts field inspections and observes construction activities to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, contract requirements, and safety standards. Coordinates with regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, utilities, and stakeholders throughout project development and implementation. Assists in developing, administering, and monitoring capital improvement and departmental budgets. Provides technical guidance and mentoring to engineering staff and may review the work of lower-level engineers. Handles job stress. Interacts effectively with others in the workplace. Follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required. Directing engineering research and pilot studies. Writing and administering grant and loan applications. Pursuing research funding opportunities. Managing specialized groundwater treatment and water resource projects. Preparing and administering capital improvement program budgets. Evaluating existing infrastructure and recommending rehabilitation or replacement strategies. Developing engineering standards, specifications, and design criteria. Providing technical tours and outreach presentations. Reviewing and recommending alternative project delivery methods and engineering solutions. In addition to the duties listed above, the Principal Engineer may also be responsible for: Serving as project manager for the District's largest and most technically complex engineering projects; establishing project strategy and technical direction; resolving highly complex engineering issues; and serving as a technical advisor to executive management. Leading multidisciplinary teams, developing engineering standards and best practices, and representing the District before regulatory agencies, professional organizations, governing bodies, and the public. Typical Qualifications The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.