Staking Engineer I in White Salmon, Washington at Klickitat Public Utility

Under general supervision, the Staking Engineer I serves as a primary point of contact and liaison between KPUD and existing and prospective customers for electric service installations, line extensions, relocations, rebuilds, and related distribution projects. This position guides customers through the power installation process, identifies construction options, and provides information regarding District policies, applicable codes, permits, easements, service agreements, contracts, and other requirements related to electric service and line extensions.

The Staking Engineer I is responsible for a broad range of duties related to the design, staking, construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical distribution and transmission facilities. The role works collaboratively with line crews, internal departments, and external stakeholders to ensure projects are completed efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.

Project responsibilities include designing and staking distribution facilities for residential, commercial, and irrigation customers, as well as system upgrades such as minor expansions, conversions, relocations, and rebuilds.

This position also supports KPUD’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program by assisting with aerial inspections of distribution and transmission lines, right-of-way assessments, line patrols, and outage response activities.

The position will initially train at the main Klickitat PUD office located at 1313 S Columbus Ave, Goldendale, WA 98620.
Primary duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and maintain positive public contacts; respond to inquiries from customers, contractors, engineers, and others regarding District policies, codes, service standards, and line extensions; investigate and resolve customer inquiries.
• Design electrical systems and facilities, including preparing cost quotes, material lists, work orders, and drawings for customer line extensions, maintenance and improvements of distribution feeders, and transmission facilities.
• Field staking and surveying: Perform field staking and layout for construction of electrical facilities, including field inspections to determine adherence to standards and to document as-built records. Perform field surveying as required to determine pole height/class, pole top assemblies, guying assemblies, etc.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations: Perform aerial inspections of distribution and transmission systems and rights-of-way, and assist line crews with line patrolling during outages.
• Efficiently utilize GPS, mobile GIS hardware and software, and survey equipment in the field while conducting existing facilities inventories, collecting pre-design data, and staking line extensions.
• Interpret and apply policies, standards, and codes: Make judgments necessary in the application of District engineering and construction standards, applicable State Electric Code, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Rural Utility Service (RUS) construction standards and specifications, National Electrical Code (NEC), and District rules, regulations, and line extension policy.
• Work with customers in acquiring service agreements, easements, and contracts, and perform title research and customer negotiations as needed.
• Work with external agencies in acquiring crossing permits, franchises, rights-of-way, and easements.
• Assist in the maintenance and updates of system maps, system models and records.
• Assist Operations Dept. during outages with line patrolling, field trouble shooting and mapping information.
• Assist contract crews and mutual aid crews in the field during large outages or large projects.
• Assist in planning, engineering, and managing annual capital projects. Participate in and provide input and analysis for Long Range Plan development.
• Participate in as-built field inspections of completed work orders. Coordinate site visits with the Line Superintendent and crew foreman.
• Work closely with District employees, outside contractors, engineers, and other utilities as required facilitating completion of projects.
• Evaluate and process applications for joint-use of facilities by other utilities. Inspect as-built attachments during and following completion of work.
• Recommend improvements in construction specifications or material standards to improve safety, overall efficiency, and reliability.
• Participate on internal and industry-specific external committees, including but not limited to Safety Standards, Material Standards, Specification Review, policy and procedure review, and the Klickitat Skamania Utilities Coordinating Council.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Working knowledge of standard office computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
• Working knowledge of Esri ArcGIS-based GIS systems, mobile GPS, GIS and survey hardware and software, and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of property title search techniques, types and uses of property deeds, right-of-way easements, and easement acquisition.
• Understand and apply land surveying principles, such as property boundaries and right-of-way easements, and locate them for the placement of District facilities.

Ability to:

• Work independently and as part of a team to ensure goals and deadlines are met.
• Ability to quickly learn the District’s ArcGIS-based Futura Staking and Mapping work order system.
• Ability to learn and use RUS electrical line construction specifications, techniques, and materials, as well as NESC, NEC, and Washington Electrical Safety Code requirements.
• Communicate with the public and staff, including in stressful situations.
• Assist and support team performance and work cooperatively with team members.
• Provide excellent customer service and apply troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and proactively develop new ideas with the Engineers and present them in a concise, professional manner.

Minimum Qualifications: Associate degree in engineering technology, science, or another technical field. Four years of experience required, with two years of utility, engineering, or surveying experience highly desired.

• Valid First Aid/CPR card, or the ability to obtain within 6 months of regular status employment.
• Current flagging card, or the ability to obtain within 6 months of regular status employment.
• FAA Part 107 Small UAS certification, or the ability to obtain within 6 months of regular status employment.
• Post-offer background check required.
• Post-offer drug test required, consistent with applicable law and District policy.
• Post-offer physical/functional test required, based on the essential functions of the position.

Valid Driver license: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, as driving District vehicles to field sites, customer locations, construction sites, and outage locations is an essential function of this position. Must meet District insurability requirements for operation of District vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications: Field experience in the electrical, surveying, construction, public works, or related fields desired.

-OR-

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the job.

• Office environment requiring extensive sitting and performing computer work.
• Frequent fieldwork requiring ability to traverse rough terrain, exposure to hazards associated with construction sites, work in extreme or inclement weather, and use of PPE.
• Frequent travel by small truck or SUV on primitive and rural roads.
• Frequently operate equipment including personal computers, two-way radios, motor vehicles, surveying equipment, field GIS/GPS equipment, calculators, copiers, telephones, and locating equipment.
• Physical requirements include climbing in and out of trucks, driving long distances, sitting for long periods, walking and carrying equipment over uneven terrain, and working outdoors in harsh weather.
• Ability to work unscheduled overtime as requested.