System Planning Engineer 1

Position Summary

The System Planning Engineer 1 position is pivotal in the strategic planning and design of the gas and electric distribution systems. The System Planning Engineer 1 is responsible for developing a comprehensive five-year Construction Work Plan and 10-year load forecast to ensure alignment between system capacity, capital budgets, and anticipated demand. This role designs and assesses infrastructure, conducts detailed system analyses, and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulatory agencies. This position coordinates projects with Engineering, Operations, and Accounting to successfully execute projects involving new gas and electric infrastructure and relocation of facilities. The System Planning Engineering 1 directly contributes to our organizational goal of providing safe, reliable, and economical service by overseeing the budgeting, planning, and implementation of all system improvements and expansions.

Primary Position Responsibilities 

• Responsible for five-year Construction Work Plan that specifies system improvements, capital budgets, and schedules that are required to meet the expected demand of the gas and electric distribution systems throughout the planning period.
• Prepares 10-year load forecast for the Construction Work Plan, ERCOT ALDR, and transmission and substation budget.
• Designs gas and electric facilities to be placed into the system, including sizing pipe, estimating meter and regulator capacity, calculating pressure and demand requirements for new services, and assessing district regulators.
• Determines the size and location of backbone gas and electric equipment using knowledge of infrastructure design and construction.
• Reviews designs for new services and advises the proper protective equipment and system configuration that are required to serve the additional load.
• Creates engineering models to perform system analyses, including system stability, contingency planning, and load and capacity forecasting.
• Performs engineering calculations and analysis, including load flow, pressure drop, Btu factors, system looping, meter and regulator capacities, and reinforcement studies.
• Calculates short circuit currents and performs fault current analysis to determine size, setting, and location of protective devices.
• Responsible for balancing load between substations to prevent equipment overload and alleviate capacity constraints.
• Performs interconnection analyses of motors, DERs, redundant services, and other sensitive loads to identify the impacts to the system. Determines necessary service upgrades and coordinates with project stakeholders.
• Applies different statistical analysis techniques to various datasets.
• Produces cost estimates on various projects and monitors costs as projects proceed.
• Determines easement requirements for infrastructure and coordinates acquisition with the Right Of Way Department.
• Collaborates with other engineers, consulting engineering firms, and contractors for the design and construction of city-gate meter and regulator stations, district laterals, main and service lines, and related facility designs.
• Coordinates planned system expansions and improvements from the five-year construction work plan with project stakeholders.
• Manages system power factor to ensure compliance with ERCOT nodal protocols.
• Prepares reports related to standard reliability indices to benchmark and prioritize distribution circuits for upgrades.
• Coordinates system capacity allocations with customer load estimates and construction schedules from the Business Development Department.
• Advises Customer Services and Billing Departments on technical matters concerning energy usage and demand.
• Collects field data necessary to maintain system model accuracy.
• Develops and maintains a working knowledge of Texas Railroad Commission and Public Utility Commission of Texas regulations and rules, as well as local codes and ordinances.
• Develops and maintains working knowledge industry codes, including NFPA, NESC, IEEE, and NEMA.
• Complies with established CoServ safety and operating rules, procedures and guidelines including reporting unsafe practices to a supervisor.
• Complies with established CoServ Information Security Handbook, policies, procedures, and guidelines including reporting suspected information security incidents to Tech Support.

Secondary Position Responsibilities 

• Develops and maintains a thorough knowledge and recognition of construction units, specifications, requirements, and construction practices.
• Develops and maintains a thorough knowledge of the equipment specifications for gas and electric infrastructure.
• Strives for excellence and process improvement on a consistent basis.
• Advise Designers, Staking Techs, and Project Managers with knowledge and understanding of infrastructure design and construction.
• Attends industry conferences and trainings to stay abreast of the latest developments related to gas and electric distribution safety, efficiency, and reliability.
• Reviews designs, construction records, and inspection reports for accuracy.
• Attends regularly scheduled safety meetings and completes monthly online topics.
• Attends professional development conferences, webinars and workshops as directed.
• Communicates with team members, project stakeholders, Members, and customers in a timely and professional manner.
• Attends Business Development and/or Developer appointments as required.
• Assures that all safety precautions, procedures, and rules are followed.
• Maintains accurate and detailed work records that can be easily referenced.
• Maintains company provided tools and equipment in proper working condition.
• Operates company vehicles in a safe manner.
• Stays informed concerning all development activities within the CoServ service area of interest.
• Attends Smith Driving, CPR, and other CoServ required training.
• Attends CoServ University required training.
• Ability to travel, when necessary for business and training.
• Ability to work flexible or extended hours as needed or directed.
• Performs other duties and activities as directed.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor of Science from an ABET accredited university in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering.

Education, Experience, and Certifications Preferred 

• 2 years’ experience in electric utility power distribution.
• Engineer In Training certification.

Skills and Abilities Required 

• Experience using ESRI and ARC FM mapping software.
• Experience using Synergi Gas network modeling software.
• Skilled in developing and delivering oral and written presentations.
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision as well as in teams.
• Knowledge of Engineering Analysis software, such as Milsoft WindMil, ETAP, CYME, etc.
• Knowledgeable about CIS and MDM systems.
• Working knowledge of 16 TAC Part 1 and 49 CFR Part 192 relating to pipeline safety regulations
• Ability to work under deadlines and to solve problems effectively.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Develop a working knowledge of the company’s service area, distribution system, and system construction.
• Develop a working knowledge of Company’s tariff policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Have basic skills in the operation and functions of computers including, but not limited to, Windows applications, Excel, Word, Outlook, and Internet Explorer.

Skills and Abilities Preferred

• None

Physical Requirements 

• Works both in the office, remotely, and field environment.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
• Drives company vehicle as needed.
• Operates office equipment such as a computer, telephone, fax machine, copier, etc.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Works in potentially hazardous conditions caused by pets and wildlife in or near the work site.
• Works in areas with possible exposure to poison oak, poison ivy, and insect stings.

Other Requirements

• Must have and maintain a valid Texas driver's license