Assistant Project Engineer

Job Function

Assist in the conduct of operations research, technical/economic/environmental/business/regulatory impact assessments and other specialized studies to determine transmission and distribution customer/system needs; assist in the analysis of problems and the development of strategies, alternatives and preferred solution; and assist in the delivery of solution through suppliers and service providers. Assist in the development, definition and preparation of programs, processes, standards, procedures or methods related to the management of transmission/distribution assets. Assist in the preparation of business cases and other formal documents. Assist in the preparation of work specifications and contracts. Assist in the monitoring, control and redirection of programs and projects. Assist in the coordination of activities with service providers. Assist in the development of the business plan, budgets and regulatory submission. Assist the unit on discussions and negotiation with customers, stakeholders, regulatory authorities and service providers.

Job Description:

• Assist in the conduct of operations research, technical/economic/environmental/business/ regulatory impact assessments and other specialized studies to determine transmission and distribution customer/system needs. Assist in the analysis of problems and development of strategies and preferred solution; and assist in the delivery of solution through suppliers and service providers. Receive assignments from supervisor in broad terms on specific problems related to assigned area of work. Research available resources and contacts and propose effective recommendations. Prepare comprehensive reports and specifications and present solutions, producing necessary documentation, as necessary. Assist in the review and evaluation of industry standards, keep current with the latest developments in the technical standards environment.
• Assist in the development, definition and preparation of programs, processes, standards, procedures or methods related to the management of transmission/distribution assets. Assist in reviewing and defining technical standards requirements for equipment on the transmission and distribution systems, maintenance programs in the work management systems, in reviewing asset condition reports and defect reports as well as in developing and using database application to monitor asset performance. Prepare comprehensive documentation as necessary. Provide guidance to and work with, other interested groups in the implementation of recommendations.
• Assist in the preparation of business cases for the management of transmission/distribution assets.
• Assist in the preparation of technical standards, work specifications and contracts, and provide necessary technical direction to service providers. Assist in the coordination activities with Service Providers and stakeholders. Maintain contract databases as required.
• Assist in the monitoring, control and redirection of programs and projects. Monitor service provider performance, report variances and give redirection if required. Assist in resolving issues through negotiation with the Service Provider, stakeholders and customer. Prepare comprehensive reports and specifications and present recommendations to resolve issues, producing necessary documentation, as necessary.
• Assist in the development of the business plan, budgets and regulatory submissions. Assist in the preparation of management reports. Maintain management databases, as required.
• Assist the unit in working with the Service Providers to ensure capabilities to perform required works and in evaluating the contracting process for continuous improvement.
• Assist the unit on discussions and negotiation with customers, stakeholders and Service Providers. Be a technical resource and consultant on transmission/distribution asset management matters. Promote acceptance to corporate proposals and generally work to ally fears, overcome resistance and otherwise contribute towards securing, protecting and advancing objectives. Liaise with other internal work groups, divisions and outside interests.
• Maintain an awareness of advancing technology developments and improvements in technical standards related to transmission/distribution assets.
• Provide guidance to others as required, assist in resolution of work problems and train new staff in job responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education:

• Requires an engineering knowledge of electrical power systems and facilities related to transmission/distribution/information system assets, mathematics, information technology to assist in carrying out theoretical, economic and engineering analytical studies related to the application, design and performance of the transmission/distribution/information systems.
• Requires knowledge of technical writing to prepare effective reports. Requires good communication skills to prepare and deliver effective presentations.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired in and equivalent to a four-year university education in an appropriate field such as electrical engineering.

Experience:

• Requires experience of the electrical power system operational requirements, policies, practices and procedures governing transmission/distribution/information assets.
• Requires experience related to the design, performance, commissioning, operation and maintenance of transmission/distribution/information assets.
• Requires utility experience to be familiar with the operation and maintenance of power systems dealing with customers and suppliers.
• Requires experience to be familiar with the application of information technology to management control systems.
• Requires experience to be familiar with the development and organization of methods and work. Requires experience to be familiar with the scope and responsibilities of the position, transmission and distribution facilities, organization and operation of related work groups.
• Requires an understanding of transmission and distribution systems in Ontario and the technical standards used by electrical utilities.
• A period of over 4 years and up to and including 6 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.