Reliability Risk Engineer

This posting will remain open until a sufficient quantity of qualified applicants have been received and may close at any time without notice. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure they are considered.

The Reliability Compliance & Coordination Department is seeking to hire a Reliability Risk Engineer. This position is responsible for applying risk frameworks in a highly technical environment to ensure the design, planning, maintenance and operations of the Bulk Electric System achieves reliability and security objectives. The successful candidate will lead collaborative efforts with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to support SMUD’s strategic goals while addressing regulatory mandates and expectations

Purpose
To serve as a high level technical consultant providing expert advice and counsel on highly complex, sensitive, or controversial engineering assignments and /or projects involving specialized or unique engineering knowledge and consulting expertise and experience.

Nature and Scope
Serves and functions as a high level technical expert and consultant in an assigned area of professional engineering; may work independently or with a team on projects of major complexity and sensitivity; exercises independent judgment and discretion within broad range of practices and guidelines. Incumbents in this classification are typically viewed as “recognized” experts in their field.

• Duties and Responsibilities
  Maintains relationships and coordinates exchange and documentation of information related to engineering modifications and related installations, testing and acceptance between operations, maintenance, and engineering functions, supervisors and managers, vendors and contractors and federal, state and local governmental and regulatory agencies.
• Conducts research and complex analysis of engineering systems; develops project plans; allocates resources to project tasks; reviews contracts, material requisitions and project documents for accuracy and compliance to engineering requirements and standards; provides technical oversight of project engineering work; analyzes project costs and schedules; negotiates with external agencies and other utility management personnel on behalf of SMUD.
• Reads and interprets data from various engineering and/or power plant systems to include engineering designs and drawings, and related construction and operations documents; gathers and audits relevant data from various sources and formulates timely and accurate recommendations related to engineering modifications and/or construction projects; enters and extracts data from engineering databases in order to input, retrieve, maintain and update engineering project information.
• Prepares and files timely reports pertaining to environmental health and compliance for the department and associated plant modification projects.
• Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researching required project information associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Represents SMUD as a technical engineering expert before public, private, governmental and regulatory agencies and bodies; makes presentations and project updates to SMUD management, executives, and Board of Directors.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education
Bachelor degree in engineering is required.

Required Experience Qualifications
10 or more years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in utility operations, electrical system design, construction, project management and project engineering to include 5 years as a project manager and a responsible lead technical position within a major project including design, construction and contract activities.

Knowledge Of
Power and power plant mechanical and electrical systems; various computing platforms and operating software related to engineering data and plant operations; techniques of writing and revising procedures; SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and other special agreements; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing environmental health and health standards; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To
Prepare and file technical and administrative reports; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, engineering and computer systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

• Desirable Qualifications
  Demonstrated expertise with applying risk frameworks including, but not limited to those developed by ISO, COSO, NIST, and IIA, to technical environments that support the reliability and security of the Bulk Electric System.
• Strong track record with developing, delivering, and following up on actionable recommendations to reduce risks and achieve operational excellence.
• Deep understanding and experience with FERC, NERC, and WECC regulatory structure and its risk-based approach to compliance monitoring and enforcement.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and positively influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including subject matter experts, management, senior leadership and regulatory authorities.
• In-depth knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures related to power systems design, operations, theory, installation, testing.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices, and procedures related to thermal generation and operations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices, and procedures related to hydroelectric generation and operations
• Familiarity with relevant compliance testing and evaluation procedures for power systems.
• Strong understanding of safety standards and best practices in power systems design and operation.
• Experience using a risk-based approach to identifying potential compliance risks and work with cross-functional teams to communicate the risks and identify where remediation is required.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead projects, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and compliance documentation
  Strong ability to communicate both in written and oral form.
• Good interpersonal skills

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) – Who We Are

As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we’re proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they’re “Happy, satisfied and engaged” which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state’s sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country’s top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er’s aren’t far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Hybrid Work

This role will be a hybrid role that will require being in person at one of SMUD’s campuses regularly to complete work tasks.

We recommend you apply through our  SMUD Careers page to be considered for this position. Please create a SMUD Candidate account, upload your resume and cover letter.