Career Center

Salary Range: $138,881.60 - $168,833.60 / year

Resume and Cover Letter Required with Application

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.

DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction of the Principal Hydro Engineer, performs advanced professional level mechanical, electrical and/or civil engineering support. A Senior Civil, when qualified, may serve as Chief Dam Safety Engineer responsible for leading the Agency’s dam safety program. Senior Hydro Engineers perform project management duties within the Power Systems Division including supporting regulatory inspections and working towards resolution of issues, planning, project management, estimating and budgeting, design, equipment specification, telecommunications support, operations support, contract administration, equipment performance testing, procedure development, and water management/flood control support. The Senior Hydro Engineer coordinates assigned activities with other Agency divisions, and outside agencies, and provides highly responsible and complex technical and administrative support to the Power Systems Manager. The Power Systems Division of the Yuba Water Agency supports the hydroelectric generation mission of the Agency as well as flood control, water supply, fishery enhancement and recreation. The Senior Hydro Engineer must perform his/her duties in a manner that reflects positively on the Yuba Water Agency and the Division.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Senior Hydro Engineer is a higher level classification in the Hydro Engineer series, and is distinguished from the Principal Hydro Engineer by the supervision and management responsibilities of the Principal. Employees at this level manage work through numerous engineering consulting firms, including coordinating assigned activities with other Agency divisions and outside agencies. This position provides highly responsible and complex technical support to the Principal Engineer. Work is performed with a broad framework of general policy, and requires collaboration, creativity, resourcefulness, and autonomy to accomplish goas and objectives. All work is expected to be carried out in an ethical, organized, accurate, secure, timely and confidential manner. 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Performs a full range of advanced professional level mechanical engineering support and project management duties; prepares preliminary and final plans, designs, cost estimates, schedules and specifications for electric utility projects including system planning, system operating, dam safety and penstock safety. 
• Conducts a variety of engineering related studies, calculations, and analyses related to the electric plant and water storage; organizes and analyzes data and information.
• Oversees and participates in the development and implementation of guidelines, standards, and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the performance and efficiency of equipment and water conveyance structures, service delivery methods and procedures and recommends equipment modifications, upgrades, and best practices within division policy; ensures compliance of modifications and upgrades with all applicable technical local, state, and federal codes.
• Supports and provides technical training as necessary; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Power Systems Division annual budget and long term plan; participates in the forecast of funds needed for equipment, engineering contractors, and technical initiatives; monitor and approve expenditures within delegation; recommend adjustments as necessary.
• Monitors power generation, plant utilization, and resource availability.
• Coordinates, develops, and maintains a continuing set of records for reference and analysis
• Develops and/or participates in the specification process to procure materials and equipment.
• Supports NERC/WECC Reliability requirements by auditing and/or executing actions necessary to meet compliance requirements.
• Utilizes, supports and advises on the computerized maintenance management system. 
• Coordinates Power Systems Division projects and initiatives with county departments, contractors, and consultants for the successful and timely completion of assigned construction projects; coordinates and maintains liaison with various federal, state, local and regulatory agencies.
• Administers consulting, procurement, and construction contracts.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the Power Systems Manager; conducts or oversees a variety of technical studies and operational studies; recommends equipment and technical procedures changes as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other Agency employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Regular attendance and adherence to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
• May provide emphasis towards Asset Management, if directed:
• Leads Asset and Risk Management Program for the Power Systems Division of the Agency.
• Maintains Asset Risk Register for Power Systems Division.
• Works with Maintenance, Operations, Compliance, and other Engineering staff to help assess equipment condition and forecast performance.
• Identifies potential failure modes and helps determine consequence and likelihood of failure using reliability engineering practices and/or best management and maintenance practices.
• Works with Maintenance, other Engineering staff and management, to define the prioritization of the actions to mitigate risk.
• Identifies potential mitigation options to address each risk.
• Works with Maintenance, Engineering and Procurement to specify and order spare parts as deemed appropriate to resolve the business risk.
• Develops contingency plans to address equipment failures.
• Initiates and supports, with Procurement, development and negotiation of emergency and standby contracts in the event of failure of major equipment.
• Performs other duties and handle special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and practices of civil, electrical and/or mechanical engineering design related to hydrogenation and water collection projects and facilities.
• Operations, services, and activities of a mechanical engineering program.
• Operational knowledge, services, and activities of an electric utility.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of electrical engineering.
• Electrical and mechanical devices and civil structures used to store and convey water, generate, transmit, and distribute hydroelectric power.
• General power systems engineering practices and tools.
• Engineering economics.
• Practical application of general electrical and civil engineering concepts.
• Advanced methods, materials, and techniques used in the design and construction of a wide variety of electric utility projects.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.
• Principles of budget preparation and control.
• Advanced methods and techniques of conducting site and field investigation.
• Drafting methods, techniques, and equipment including those used in computer aided drafting.
• Engineering maps and records.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to innovations and trends in civil engineering design and development.
• Principles and practices of business correspondence and technical report preparation.
• Office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet applications, and specialized engineering programs.
• Occupational health and safety standards.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• FERC and DSOD regulatory requirements related to dam and penstock safety
• NERC/WECC Reliability requirements.

SKILLED IN:

• Maintaining sensitive and confidential information in the course of supporting Agency business technology and information systems.
• Change management.
• Problem solving.
• Preparing written communications, independently or with instructions.
• Capable of making affective presentations to peers and upper management.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Working with Microsoft Office products.

 ABILITY TO:

• Work on problems of diverse scope ranging from moderate to complex.
• Perform professional level mechanical engineering support and project management duties.
• Serve as project engineer on assigned general engineering projects.
• Identify technical deficiencies and suggest and implement improvements.
• Participate in the management of hydroelectric power systems.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures.
• Perform fundamental economic analysis of alternatives.
• Prepare, review, interpret, analyze, and modify mechanical engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
• Collect, assimilate, and evaluate data and prepare recommendations related to mechanical engineering projects.
• Perform engineering computations and calculations.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports.
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Interpret, explain and enforce Department policies and procedures.
• Respond to questions and inquiries from a variety of sources regarding engineering and development projects.
• Research, review, update, and revise existing ordinances, policies, and design standards.
• Coordinate activities with internal and external agencies and committees.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Work under pressure and make sound decisions with limited information.
• Research, analyze and evaluate system performance.
• Operate office equipment including computers and word processing, spreadsheet, database and engineering software.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in both inside and field settings, with some travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dirt, dust, traffic, electrical energy, and high voltage; will work irregular hours; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain; frequent opportunity and requirements to interact with the general public and property owners, contractors, suppliers and state, federal, county and other public agencies.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and in a field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations; to operate equipment and vehicles; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Must be able to lift and carry 35 lbs. in accordance with safe working practices, climb ladders, climb stairs with 640 feet of rise; have dexterity to climb in and out of and ability to work in close quarters. Requires the use of safety hats, belts, harnesses, face guards, safety glasses and goggles, safety shoes, protective clothing including Arc Flash/FR clothing, ear protection and other safety equipment, where necessary. 

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The minimum and preferred requirements are listed below.  While the following requirements outline the minimum qualifications the Agency reserves the right to select applicants for further consideration who demonstrate the best qualifications match for the job.   Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee further participation in the selection process.

Education/Training:

Must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET accredited college or university in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.   
 
 Experience: 
 5-10 years of increasingly responsible engineering experience. 10+ years of increasingly responsible engineering experience is preferred as well as five or more years’ experience in hydroelectric generation.    
 
 License or Certificate:
 Engineer in Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Certificate. Possession of, and ability to maintain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly desired or   the ability to obtain. Professional Engineer (PE) license is required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position is subject to call out at any time and must reside close enough to travel to the Colgate Powerhouse within one hour.  

POST OFFER/PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL:  

Employment is subject to passing a physical examination, including a drug test, and a pre-employment background check.