SUBSTATION TECHNICIAN
Bastrop or Giddings
Description

Position Title:                                              Substation Technician

Department:                                               Technical Services

Reports to:                                                  Supervisor, Substation and Transmission

Supervision Received:                               Limited Supervision

Supervision Exercised:                              None

FLSA Status:                                                Non Exempt


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assist in the coordination of new substation construction activities with contractors and Bluebonnet personnel.
  • Be an active participant in all of the substation and transmission scheduled maintenance activities, repairs, and recordkeeping of substations performed by internal and external resources. (LCRA, Pike, etc.)
  • Participates in the installation and removal of portable substations.
  • Assist in the coordination of ongoing construction of contractors in substations and transmission lines.
  • Communicate with the Supervisor to ensure that jobs are completed on schedule and to their satisfaction.
  • Participate as a member of the departmental leadership team, promoting the development of team members, technical skills improvement, and a positive workplace environment.
  • Responsible for inspection of completed jobs, ensuring jobs are built to Bluebonnet specifications.
  • Ensures that a completed job sheet or sheets are turned in with completed jobs.
  • Checks job sheet(s) to material list and invoice to assure accuracy.
  • Collect system load and voltage data for engineering.
  • Install and repair overcurrent relays, microprocessor-based controls, and RTUs.
  • Perform switching at the substation to restore power and for repairs and maintenance.
  • Repair and replace all substation and special equipment as needed.
  • Perform advanced line troubleshooting and solve intermittent problems.
  • Read prints and perform construction of wiring of substation relay panels.
  • Inform Stores of start dates for all jobs to ensure material will be available.
  • Required to be on-call, available to work weekends, holidays, and non-standard hours as needed.
  • Maintain professional working relationships with all employees, members, and vendors at all times.
  • Maintain regular attendance; arrive at work on time and be ready to work.
  • Use safe work practices at all times and in all situations.
  • Must be able to appropriately handle confidential information and act within the practices established by the Bluebonnet Red Flag policy.

Tools and Equipment Used:

  • Office equipment, including computer, printer, copier, fax, etc.
  • May be required to drive a cooperative vehicle.
  • Heavy equipment, including digger trucks, drilling equipment.
  • According to established business need, must maintain a mobile phone and appropriate communications plan.

Physical Demands:

  • Requires repetitive motion of hands and fingers, such as dialing and keyboarding.
  • Heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds.
  • Is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit.
  • Frequently required to climb, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
  • Job requires close vision, distant vision, color vision, and depth perception.
  • This job requires that an individual regularly drive a vehicle on both long and short trips and be able to travel alone if necessary.
  • This job is normally outside with some occasional office work. Will be exposed to extreme weather, both hot and cold.
  • There will be exposure to loud noises of chainsaws, chipper machines, and trenching equipment.
  • May be required to travel by air with one or more night stays to attend training classes or seminars.


Work Environment:

  • Hours are consistent with normal business operations as well as employee and member requirements.
  • Works outdoors 95% of the time in all types of weather conditions.
  • Attendance at evening meetings, conferences, workshops, and other professional meetings, including overnight travel, may be required.
  • Works at heights up to 100+ feet above ground.
  • Works in no or low light conditions – using handheld lantern or spot lights.
  • Works in potentially hazardous conditions caused by pets and wildlife in or near the work site.
  • Works in areas with possible exposure to poison oak, poison ivy, and insect stings.
Requirements

Education and Experience:

  • 2 to 5 years of progressive responsibilities in the electrical utility line construction area.
  • Successful completion of technical training events associated with substations and special equipment.


Licensing and Certification:

  • Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License
  • Must be certified in CPR, First Aid, AED and Blood-borne pathogens.
  • Able to perform bucket rescue in required time.
  • LCRA switching certification


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Basic knowledge and understanding of protective relays.
  • Knowledge of basic electrical theory.
  • Must be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
  • Must be able to interpret maps, construction reports, field notes, material list, staking sheets, and invoices.
  • Basic knowledge of Cooperative policies and guidelines.
  • Basic computer skills in the following applications: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, IVUE Connect time entry, and work order processing.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and in a positive manner; focused on improvement or problem resolution in a constructive, positive, and professional manner.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.


 Applications will be accepted through August 21, 2026.