Join a diverse and dynamic team that makes and delivers the most valuable services in the world: electricity and natural gas. At Consumers Energy, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Our employees work around the clock to provide service to our customers in honor of our history and to fulfill our promise to Michigan - Count on Us! Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy and headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Department Summary
The Distribution Operations Engineering (DOE) department ensures the LVD System is operating within system and equipment capabilities for both current and proposed operating configurations, optimizing the risk of exceeding system capabilities. The DOE develops, maintains, and uses system models including DMS applications to ensure system operations are managed in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner. The DOE also provides real-time engineering support to the DCC and other real-time operations organizations including field operations.
Duties and Responsibilities
- The Distribution Operations Engineer will be responsible for operational support of the Fault Analysis, VVO (Volt VAr Optimization), Distribution Power Flow, and all advanced applications within the Advance Distribution Management System (ADMS). This support will occur within the Distribution Control Center and will require frequent coordination with engineering groups, SCC, DCC, WMC, and other operational support organizations to allow 24/7 coverage through enhanced schedules and an on-call rotation.
- Monitor and evaluate data from various applications including SCADA, ADMS, SMS (Sensor Management System), OMS, PI, and others.
- Apply real-time power flow to operational decisions.
- Utilize Prediction and Fault Validation in operational decisions / dispatching priorities.
- Manage dynamic protection schemes, device states, and prioritization of response.
- Provide project support through technical leadership/guidance, testing, and process development.
- Validate ADMS performance and results using CYME, GIS, and other software systems.
- Analyze the LVD System Readiness using ADMS applications including Load Forecast, Switching Order Management, and Study Mode.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma / GED.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program as set forth in the Engineers Council for Professional Development.
- In lieu of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, a Bachelor's degree in a scientific/technical field or extensive Company or industry experience in positions that demonstrate required abilities and performance may be considered for placement in the Engineering Tech Analyst job family.
- Ability to prioritize work to meet changing schedules and deadlines.
- Strong analytical thinking and well organized.
- Effective verbal and written communications.
Preferred Qualifications
- 7 or more years of applied ABET exempt engineering experience.
- Experience with Fault Analysis.
- Strong technical knowledge of the function and operation of the LVD power system.
- Experience with LVD system protection.
Essential Functions
- Provide project support through technical leadership/guidance, testing, and process development.
- Apply real-time power flow to operational decisions.
- Utilize Prediction and Fault Validation in operational decisions / dispatching priorities.
- Operation of Electric Distribution systems as well as facilities and ancillary support process for all electric utility operations.
- Duties and who this individual reports to will fluctuate between projects, Practice Areas, and offices.
- Individual possesses the skills to lead, problem solve, and work well in a team environment.
- Individual should exemplify safe work practices and follow the company's compliance standards.
- Lead and/or assist with engineering projects to include design, plans, inspections, system planning, specifications, reports, maps, contracts, schedules, estimates, data collection, and field investigation.
- Provide engineering services with accuracy, integrating all applicable governmental and company laws, standards and procedures on time and under budget.
- Use computer assisted engineering software and equipment to prepare engineering documents.
- Understand and follow company established standard procedures for file structure and standard drawing procedures for projects.
- Become familiar with plans and specifications, maps, and related material for each project and be able to utilize the information appropriately.
- Assists in client contact and communication.
- Utilize effective oral and written communication skills to provide technical expertise to coworkers, clients, customers, government entities and the public.
- Public involvement may include producing reports, graphics, presentations, and other visual material as well as occasional speaking or meeting with stakeholders.
- Attend internal and external meetings.
- Provide all engineering services in a legal and ethical manner.
- Resolve all customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Regular attendance is expected.
Hours and Travel
- This position requires the individual work a minimum of 40 hours per week (45-50 typical).
- Travel is required to job sites and project meetings.
- Individuals need to be willing to work additional hours as necessary to meet deadlines or assist with storm restoration activities.
- Individual must be willing to participate in the on-call rotation in case of potential storms.
- Individual may have to work outside of assigned headquarters to help with storm restoration which may require overnight stays.
- Individuals must have a valid driver's license.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- Must be able to stand and walk for periods of up to and beyond eight hours in all kinds of weather; snow, mud, dirt water, ice, etc.
- The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.
- The employee must frequently lift and move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and move up to fifty pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- The noise level on the construction site is often loud.
- Individual must have the ability to work up to 16 continuous hours during emergent work.
Application Deadline
This Job opening is posted for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Position will be filled at the appropriate salary grade based upon the skills, knowledge, and experience of the selected candidate.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.