Fiber Project Engineer (Electrical Project Engineer)

The Department
Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services to its citizens and businesses. Because of this, the City has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, home-grown, and environmentally-focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto community with safe and reliable utilities service, local decision-making over policies, utility rate-making, environmental programs, and customized services. Palo Alto is embarking on the installation of a dedicated Utility Fiber Optic network, along with the expansion of its existing dark fiber network, which could eventually be used for a Fiber to the Home system.

The Position
The Electric Engineering Division is responsible for ensuring the electric and fiber optic systems are technically adequate to serve the current and future needs of the residents and customers in Palo Alto. Incumbents in this position plan, organize, direct and manage all or part of electric and fiber optic utility projects, from conception through design, construction and closeout of the project.  Incumbents may act in the capacity of the immediate supervisor in his/her absence.

The role of the Fiber Project Engineer will be focused on engineering work associated with the City of Palo Alto Utilities Fiber Networks serving 1) Utility needs and 2) commercial customers and other city communications systems. Other electric utility engineering work may be assigned as necessary, including the responsibilities of other Electric Utility Engineer classifications. Experience related to utility fiber optic and electric system design, operation, and maintenance is desired.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have experience in the telecommunications and/or electric utilities industry; design engineering for utility telecommunications and electric facilities; operating fiber optic distribution and electric systems; Esri based GIS for fiber optic and system modeling applications; and the skills to lead a team of internal staff and contractors on projects to improve existing, expand, and develop a utility fiber optic network.

The first review of applications will take place August 24, 2020.

This position is part of the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU)

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Performs project management for major Capital Improvement Projects involving engineering design, bid evaluation; contract administration; project scheduling; coordination; inter-utility coordination; quality control; and field decisions and supervision to insure projects are completed within the stipulated time and allocated budget. Prepares plans, specifications, and cost estimates for assigned projects requiring engineering capability in the electric utility.
• Coordinates system improvement activities with key customers.
• Performs electrical engineering assignments for a wide range of activities.
• Supervises inspectors and technicians during project development and constructions phases.
• Develops utilities' materials standards, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
• Performs load studies and prepares forecasts as required for utilities' system planning and budget preparation.
• Provides guidance and work supervision to technicians as required by projects, as well as outside consultants on major projects.
• Assists in the preparation of the utilities' annual budget, capital improvement programs, and quarterly financial and performance reports.
• Works with and provides guidance for the utilities' customers for the efficient use of electric energy, in establishing utilities service requirements, fault current protection, load management and demand control, power factor correction, and systems safety and protection schemes.

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:
 

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering (with power option or equivalent experience)

• Three years increasingly responsible electric utility engineering and project management experience.

• Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California.