Safety/Security Status: Safety Sensitive

Overview

Bentonville Electric Utilities Department (BEUD) is looking for motivated, technical minded individuals to join our Engineering team. If you have ever had interest in the operations of an electric utility, this is the job for you.

BEUD is a municipally owned electric utility located in Northwest Arkansas that provides electric service to the citizens in the city limits of Bentonville. Due to the small nature of our utility, there are numerous opportunities to cross train and acquire additional job knowledge and skills.

An Electric GIS Technician will be responsible for maintaining the electric system map for BEUD’s distribution network. This includes performing as-built updates to the map based on maintenance work, new overhead line construction, and new developments and subdivisions in the system. Because this map is the basis for several key systems in the operations of the utility, the GIS Technician will play a vital role to ensure our system maps portray an accurate representation of all electric utility assets in the field.

Along with the system maps, the GIS Technician will be involved in the maintenance of our Outage Management system. This web-based program is driven by our system maps, and allows our dispatchers, linemen, and engineering staff to make real-time predictions of outage locations based on the outage calls that have been received from our customers.

The GIS Technician will also be responsible for maintaining mobile apps and devices used by our dispatchers and linemen for viewing maps and data in the field.

A successful candidate for this position must have high attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and be capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Required Skills for this position are a strong working knowledge of ESRI/ArcMap products, database structures and queries, and the ability to export GIS data to perform queries for further analysis.

Skills that are not required, but highly preferred, include AutoCAD knowledge, prior experience with Futura mapping and staking software, the ability to write/modify Python scripts, knowledge of SharePoint and PowerBI, and knowledge of electrical system connectivity.

Full package of benefits available:

· Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

· Life Insurance and Short Term Disability

· APERS retirement system

· 11 paid holidays

· Opportunities for overtime / comp time

Bentonville routinely finds itself listed on top lists of places to live in the USA. Apply today for a chance to provide operational support for the electric utility of this thriving local community.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Engineering Technician 2 will be able to design mid-level projects independently, while continuing to learn the skills required for the most complex designs through hands-on projects and departmental training sessions. The Engineering Technician 2 – GIS Specialty will be able to perform mapping and database maintenance of our Futura mapping system, other data-related tasks, and will maintain the outage management system.

LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Technology Knowledge: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), SharePoint, Microsoft Access, AutoCAD, ArcMap, Futura Stake, Futura Catalyst, Datavoice Outage Management Software, Yukon AMI Interface, Futura FieldPro, SAG10, O-Calc Pole Modeling, SCADA Interface.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

Maintains electric system map for BEUD Distribution Network

· Performs as-built updates to maps based on maintenance work, new overhead line construction, and new developments/subdivisions within the city.

· Ensures maps portray an accurate representation of all electric utility assets in the field.

· Responsible for maintenance of Outage Management system

· Responsible for maintenance of mobile apps and devices used by linemen and dispatchers for viewing maps and data in the field.

· Performs field visits to investigate mapping discrepancies or to install tags/labels on equipment.

· Has basic ability to export data from GIS system for analysis and perform joins/relates as necessary for further engineering analysis.

· Has intermediate abilities to write/modify Python scripts

· Uses the Trimble GPS equipment to collect field data or stake out locations for an electric design.

· Uses city GIS information to look up existing easement and right-of-way information.

· Understands the operation of an electric utility system such as a basic switching plan, load shifting, and fuse coordination, and substation operations.

· Uses SCADA system to place and release hotline clearances and independently use fault current information to assist in troubleshooting during an outage.

· Does independent field work to gather design information, which includes opening energized devices as well as taking photographs of poles with a digital measuring tool for model building.

· Attends monthly engineering department training sessions.

· Acts as an after-hours dispatcher in an on-call rotation for one week at a time, approximately every once every 5 to 6 weeks. Will act as the first point of contact when there are outages or other after-hours issues.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE A two-year associate degree in a field related to engineering, drafting, or surveying, and minimum 3 years’ experience in the engineering field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write reports, emails, and business correspondence.
• MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, algebra, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Arkansas Driver’s License

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN 3

A candidate must spend at least three years working as an Engineering Technician 2 before being eligible for promotion to Engineering Technician 3.

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; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.