Distribution Strategy Engineer I, II or Senior (Relocate to Cheyenne, WY!)

About the position

Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today-for our customers, communities and each other. This position will be responsible for short- and long-range planning studies; updating, validating, correcting, and developing distribution planning models; and supporting the electric operations teams with engineering field support, design layouts of new load additions, and analysis of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) interconnections when needed.

Responsibilities

• Support reliability, operations, and future planning of our electric distribution systems (systems less than 25 kV). Investigating and analyzing system reliability performance data to report out to the organization.
• Evaluate, analyze, coordinate, and implement short- and long-term planning for reliability and capacity expansion (proposing system improvements), as well as Smart Grid and renewable applications on the distribution system. Develop supporting reports and present findings to leadership with corrective action plans to address deficiencies found within the studies completed.
• Providing operational support for voltage issues, transformer overloads with root-cause investigation, in addition to supporting outage coordination and safety procedures.
• Provide engineering responses for Operations support/questions and provide reasoning for the direction provided.
• Performing circuit analysis reviews for loading, phase balancing, voltage concerns, reactive power, fault current, protection coordination, and contingency planning using Synergi Electric modeling software.
• Coordinating line protection devices including reclosers, line fuses, and interrupter switches, while working with the System Protection Engineer to recommend distribution feeder breaker settings.
• Supporting staff with Distributed Energy Resources (DER) analyses and proposals.
• Apply standard engineering practices and techniques, utilizing prescribed methods in carrying out a sequence of engineering tasks. As needed, apply best practices for engineering related questions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, NERC and FERC regulations.
• Provide after-hours support to other BHE departments during outages and emergencies as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Engineering required for all levels.
• No experience required for Level I.
• Minimum (1) one year of experience related to electrical distribution planning and/or electrical operations support required for Level II.
• Minimum (4) four years of experience related to electrical distribution planning and/or electrical operations support and some experience related to distribution planning software (Synergi, CYME, Windmil, ASPEN) required for Senior level.

Nice-to-haves

• Good understanding of the tools and how to perform various types of analysis studies in a distribution planning software (Synergi, CYME, Windmil, ASPEN) platform.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on documentation and organization. Ability to prioritize workflow, establish schedule and monitor accomplishments with some Manager input.
• Ability to understand questions/needs being presented from Operations, develop an engineering response, and respond in a timely manner with some Manager input/review.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with staff at all levels within the organization. Be able to convey technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Some working knowledge of the utility electrical system design philosophy, types of electrical equipment, equipment operation, electrical circuits, drawings, and engineering analysis.
• Ability to read/understand electrical one-lines, control drawings and schematics, and apply fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of electrical engineering with Manager oversight.
• Ability to maintain proficiency with programming, using, and automation of new systems and software as technology evolves.
• Some project management skills, ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner with some Manager oversight and accurately record time spent on projects.
• Ability to gain a working knowledge of applicable technical and regulatory compliance standards.
• Familiarity with the National Electrical Safety Code and electric utility industry safety work practices.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office - Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonuses
• 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave
• Company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term)
• Employee assistance program and well-being benefits
• Competitive medical, dental and vision insurance