Distribution Designer -or- Distribution & Transmission Designer

Bring Your Expertise to Our Team!  We are looking for a motivated, detail-oriented Distribution Designer to help shape the electrical infrastructure that powers our communities through thoughtful and efficient design.

This position is responsible for designing and staking overhead and underground electrical distribution systems to support utility construction, maintenance, and system improvement projects. The ideal candidate will have experience in electric utility distribution design, field staking, engineering standards, and construction documentation. The successful candidate will work closely with utility clients, engineers, operations field crews, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure projects are designed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable utility standards and regulations.

The successful candidate will be placed in the position level and wage step appropriate to their education and experience as related to position requirements and District needs. Posting date may be adjusted or extended as needed.

Distribution Designer ($42.23 - $50.34 per hour)
Performs engineering duties required in the preparation of work orders, service orders, service requests, easements and agreements associated with line extensions and system improvements, and maintenance of the transmission and distribution system.  Other duties and responsibilities include the application of District policies and standards, and state and national electrical safety codes.  

Design electrical systems and facilities: Prepares detailed drawings, cost estimates and material lists, service requests, service orders, and work orders for customer line extensions, distribution feeders and system improvements, services, and other facilities.

Field staking and surveying: Performs field staking and layout for construction of electrical facilities and field inspections to determine adherence to District and other applicable standards and for “as-built” records. Responsible for field surveying to support easement descriptions.

Research and agreements: Performs title research and negotiates with customers, as needed. Prepares service agreements, contracts, and easement documents. 

Application of policies, standards, and codes: Makes informed judgments necessary in the application of District engineering and construction standards, such as transformer and service sizing, meter standards and application and basic principles of protection. Must be knowledgeable in the application of state and national electrical safety codes, and District rules, regulations, and line extension policy.

Improvements to standards: Recommends to supervisor improvements or updates to District construction or material standards. Recommends improvements to other policies and procedures to improve safety, overall efficiency, and customer service. 

Maintenance of records: Maintains up-to-date work order drawings, maps, and records.

Extensive public contact: Establishes and maintains positive contacts with the public. Responds to inquiries from customers, contractors, coworkers, and other persons as to the application of policies and codes, standards, and line extensions. Investigates and resolves customer concerns. Acquires right-of-way easements. 

Actively and positively participates in regular department meetings for the purposes of planning, updating progress and general sharing of information.

Professional behavior: Understands and follows District/supervisor expectations regarding professional appearance, attendance, punctuality, scheduled and unscheduled time off, and appropriate use of District time, equipment, and resources. Maintains a record of attendance and availability necessary to provide adequate support to the department. 

Performs other duties as assigned.


Distribution & Transmission Designer ($52.36 - $55.53 per hour)
Independently leads and/or oversees the planning and execution of line extensions, system improvements and maintenance projects of the District’s transmission and distribution system.  Prepares or oversees preparation of various documents, acquisition of professional services, and the procurement of materials in accordance with state and national electrical safety codes, District policies and standards.

Design electrical systems and facilities: Prepares detailed drawings, cost estimates, material lists, and work orders for high level complex customer line extensions, distribution feeders, system improvements, and other facilities.

Field staking and surveying: Performs field staking and layout for construction of electrical facilities and field inspections to determine adherence to District and other applicable standards and for “as-built” records. Responsible for field surveying to support easement descriptions.

Research and agreements: Performs title research and negotiates with customers, as needed. Prepares service agreements, contracts, and easement documents.

Application of policies, standards and codes: Makes informed judgments necessary in the application of District engineering and construction standards, such as transformer and service sizing, meter standards and application and basic principles of protection. Must be knowledgeable in the application of state and national electrical safety codes, and District rules, regulations, and line extension policy. 

Improvements to standards:  Assist with and develop improvements or updates to District construction or material standards. Recommends improvements to other policies and procedures to improve safety, overall efficiency, and customer service. 

Maintenance of records: Maintains up-to-date work order drawings, maps, and records.

Extensive public contact: Establishes and maintains positive contacts with the public. Responds to inquiries from customers, contractors, coworkers, and other persons as to application of policies and codes, standards, and line extensions. Investigates and resolves customer concerns. Acquires right-of-way easements. 

Teamwork: Works closely and effectively with District employees, outside contractors and engineers, other utilities, and other associated entities to facilitate completion of projects.  Contributes to positive team environment.

Guide and mentor Distribution Technician and Distribution Designer by leading formal and on the job training activities. Offer assistance to enhance their job performance.     

Meetings:  Actively and positively participates in regular department meetings for the purposes of planning, updating progress and general sharing of information. 

Professional behavior: Understands and follows District/supervisor expectations regarding professional appearance, attendance, punctuality, scheduled and unscheduled time off, and appropriate use of District time, equipment, and resources. Maintains a record of attendance and availability necessary to provide adequate support to the department.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The District may revise the duties and responsibilities of all positions, as needed. 

All employees are responsible for knowledge of the District’s Mission, Vision, Values and Guiding Principles and for demonstrating them during the normal course of business through example and action and for applying them whenever situations arise that cannot readily be resolved by application of department procedure or District policy. The District’s Values include: Customer Focus, Forward Focus, Integrity, Personal Responsibility, Respect and Teamwork.

Distribution Designer
Education and experience: A high school diploma or equivalent and a two-year degree in engineering or engineering technology, plus two years of engineering work experience is required. Four years of progressively responsible utility engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job may be substituted.

Skills, knowledge, and abilities: Expanded knowledge of electrical theory, staking and surveying, along with familiarity with job-related safety rules and electrical codes is required, along with familiarity with common distribution line devices, distribution construction and operation principles and practices. Skills required include use of computer and associated software applications used in word processing, spreadsheets and drafting (requires experience and competency in the use of AutoCAD and Microsoft Office software). Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments in application of standards, codes and policies and the ability to communicate them professionally and firmly to customers. Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and rough terrain, carrying staking equipment. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. 

Responsibility for confidential matters: Distribution Designers use independent judgment and discretion with customer plans, costs, or other information. The position has exposure to confidential information relating to property acquisition and potential customer expansion projects.

Responsibility for accuracy and effect of errors: Maintain a high level of accuracy.  Errors may result in delay of construction, property damage, economic harm to the District or loss of life.  

Responsibility for getting along with others: Has contact with customers, District departments, and other utilities.  Must maintain a professional working relationship with these entities. 

Pressure may occur in meeting workload schedules, in prioritizing tasks and assignments and coordinating activities. Must have the ability to manage multiple projects that are timeline dependent. 
 
Travel/unusual working conditions: Infrequent travel may be required for training or business. Workday must be flexible to accommodate meetings and employee schedules.

A valid Washington State Driver’s license is required.

Distribution & Transmission Designer
Education and experience: A high school diploma or equivalent and a two-year degree in engineering or engineering technology. Two years of engineering work experience is required as well as four years of line design experience with an electric utility. An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job may be substituted. 

Skills, knowledge, and abilities: Expanded knowledge of electrical theory, staking and surveying, along with familiarity with job-related safety rules and electrical codes is required, along with familiarity with common distribution line devices, distribution construction and operation principles and practices. Skills required include use of computer and associated software applications used in word processing, spreadsheets and drafting. Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments in application of standards, codes and policies and the ability to communicate them professionally and firmly to customers. Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and rough terrain, carrying staking equipment. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. 

Responsibility for confidential matters: Exercise independent judgment and discretion with customer plans, costs, or other information. The position has exposure to confidential information relating to property acquisition and potential customer expansion projects.

Responsibility for accuracy and effect of errors: Maintain a high level of accuracy.  Errors may result in delay of construction, property damage, economic harm to the District or loss of life.  

Responsibility for getting along with others: Has contact with customers, District departments, and other utilities.  Must maintain a professional working relationship with these entities. 

Pressure may occur in meeting workload schedules, in prioritizing tasks and assignments and coordinating activities. Must have the ability to manage multiple projects that are timeline dependent.  

Travel/unusual working conditions: Infrequent travel may be required for training or business. Workday must be flexible to accommodate meetings and employee schedules.

A valid Washington State Driver’s license is required.