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Distribution Operations Engineer I, II or Senior

Performs engineering studies and develops electronic tools and procedures that assure the reliable operation of Black Hills Energy’s ADMS and electric distribution systems.
SALARY RANGE:  Determined by the knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant.
  • Level I:  $58,900 - $88,400
  • Level II: $69,800 - $104,800
  • Senior Level:  $76,300 - $114,450
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:  Manager, ADMS Services
LOCATION:  Our Corporate Headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota
  • You’ll find this is the ideal community to live, work and do business in. With hiking trails, the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park in your backyard, there are endless opportunities to enjoy nature. To learn more about our locations, please visit the locations page on our career website.
  • Relocation assistance is available for this position! Package is based on distance/complexity of the move, and individual circumstances. Contents of our relocation program are subject to change and may vary based on position.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
All levels:
  • Maintain Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) applications and associated displays. Applications include OMS, DMS, DERMS, FLISR and Operator Training Simulator.
  • Analyze and perform electrical system studies for planned and emergency switching operations of the electric distribution system. 
  • Maintain data required for ADMS power system applications.
  • Produce Key Performance Indicators, such as SAIDI, SAIFI and other reporting requirements.
  • Coordinate with the ADMS, GIS, and Reliability Center teams for issues related to construction jobs, data modeling, mapping updates, and error remediation between systems.
  • Maintain necessary documentation on the ADMS and associated systems.
Level II:
  • Maintain the Distribution Operator Training Simulator to ensure all department personnel receive the required training and continuing education hours to remain highly knowledgeable and confident in their job functions.
Senior level:
  • Develop and maintain the Distribution Operator Training Simulator to ensure all department personnel receive the required training and continuing education hours to remain highly knowledgeable and confident in their job functions.
  • Implement and maintain ADMS interfaces and system integration.
  • Develop computer programs and customized programming scripts necessary for special applications.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide “real-time” support and serve as a knowledge resource for Distribution System Operators.
  • Performs other assignments as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Level I:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution is required. 
  • No experience required. 
Level II:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution is required.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of electric utility operations or electrical operations engineering experience required.
Senior level:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution is required. 
  • Minimum of four (4) years of electric utility operations or electrical operations engineering experience required. 
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
  • Proficient knowledge of distribution facilities, operations, and operating personnel.
  • Proficient knowledge of OMS, SCADA, DMS, DERMS and ADMS technologies.
  • Knowledge of ADMS interfaces and system integration.
  • Knowledge of GIS concepts.
  • Knowledge of outage coordination requirements. 
  • Knowledge of relational database management systems.
  • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
  • Familiarity with electric utility operations.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications. 
  • Ability to maintain proficiency with new systems and software as technology evolves. 
MENTAL/PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The mental and physical descriptions are representative of the activities an employee in an office job performs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mental description: Understand, remember, apply oral and/or written instructions or other information, and communicate routine factual information. Apply common sense in performing job functions, usually within a set of rules or guidelines.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee continuously accesses, inputs, and retrieves electronic information and communicates regarding the information. Employee frequently moves about the office space. Employee must be able to operate routine office equipment including computers and similar equipment. Must be able to routinely perform this work for an average of 6-8 hours per day and occasional extended hours as necessary. Must be capable of regular, reliable, and timely attendance.
Specific lifting abilities required by this job include: Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or continuously to lift, carry, push, pull or sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if moving about is only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Work environment: Routinely perform work indoors in climate-controlled shared work area with moderate noise level. Willing to travel occasionally (less than 10 days per year) by automobile (as driver and passenger), commercial airlines, rental vehicles and public transportation and be able to lodge in public facilities.
This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining unit agreement will apply.
About our Company: We are a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company that is devoted to our communities. We have a mission to improve life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture sparks unique perspectives, opening doors to new ideas and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 2900 employees and serve 1.2 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).
Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package: annual incentive program (based on percentage of eligible earnings), 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, paid time off, additional Veteran PTO, military leave differential pay, paid holidays and annual floating holidays, company paid short term and long term disability, paid maternity and paternity benefits, health and wellness program, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.
Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. 
Black Hills Corporation does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
Black Hills Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.