GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
This opportunity is for servicemembers in the Skillbridge program. The Lakeland Electric SkillBridge Power Plant Engineering Intern will support utility-scale electric power generation facilities. Interns will work alongside senior engineers responsible for the planning, operation, maintenance, and improvement of mechanical and electrical systems supporting turbine generators and auxiliary plant equipment at the McIntosh, Larsen Memorial, and Winston Power Plants. Depending on the intern’s engineering degree and professional background, training assignments may also include exposure to chemical engineering systems or control system engineering supporting power generation operations. This flexible training structure allows the program to develop engineers with diverse technical skills needed to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. Interns will participate in real engineering projects under the supervision of engineers and experienced plant personnel while gaining practical experience in power plant operations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Prepares the scope of work for a given project or study, which may require data gathering, specifications, plans, diagrams, schematics, equipment/materials, and cost estimates for the required aspects.
- Oversees, completes, or assists in all aspects of assigned engineering project design or study.
- Provides project management and quality control functions for work done by parties associated with the project or study.
- Assists various departments within the organization on energy production.
- Studies and/or implements significant modifications or improvements to the electric power system.
- Assists in coordination with Plant Engineering, Plant Maintenance, Plant Operations, System Control, Substations, Relay department and contractors.
- Acts as a representative/liaison with regulatory agencies and other utility and industry organizations.
- Maintains and complies with project schedules and budgets.
- Operates various computer-aided engineering design and analysis programs or tools and produces work orders or studies to support projects.
- Maintains an efficient filing and records system for projects from initiation to project close out.
- Prepares complex forecasts, studies, technical reports, and related items.
- Maintains an efficient filing and records system for projects from initiation to project close out.
- Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the appropriate area of your expertise to support Lakeland Electric’s compliance with the National Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Standards Requirements.
- Position is required to attend meetings and visit job sites at locations other than primary work locations.
- Position is required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
- Position is Mission Critical.
ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Energy Supply):
- Oversees contract maintenance and repair projects.
- Investigates and analyzes plant operation and maintenance problems, both short-term and future, to determine solutions.
- Provides construction management support, field inspections, quality control, and contract interface with construction crews, as needed, for major construction projects.
- Researches and verifies “as built” condition of systems and equipment, including underground systems.
- Assists in testing and operating power plant equipment, performance of pollution controls testing, survey work and non-destructive testing programs.
- Develops and oversees the design of complex power generation systems, construction standards, bid specifications, and drawings for specific projects according to established guidelines and engineering practices.
- Calculates and oversees the calculation of statistical averages, cumulative and rolling averages, statistical trends, rates of change, percentages, etc.; tabulates, plots, and formats the results.
ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Chemical Engineer):
- Responsible for chemical processes with Energy Production such as water treatment, demineralization, HRSG/boiler and cooling tower chemistry, wastewater treatment processes, pond chemistry, etc.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
- Performs related work as required.
- Includes all areas of Engineer Technician position responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)
- Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering.
- Two years of experience in electric utility engineering work. OR
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering.
- Four years of experience in electric utility engineering work.
Required: A Resumé is required for consideration for this position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Must possess valid driver's license
- Extensive knowledge of fundamental and applied engineering sciences, principles, and practices.
- Extensive skill in using engineering and mathematical reference tables, charts, and computer equipment is required in professional engineering work.
- Considerable knowledge of design and test codes, sources of technical information, and safety requirements related to electric power activities.
- Knowledge of permitting requirements for City, County, and State agencies.
- Considerable knowledge of project expenditures and budgetary cost controls.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, consultants, utilities, other City employees, and the public.
- Ability to procure goods and services from various vendors.
- Ability to use various portable test equipment, meters, and survey instruments.
- Ability to perform engineering and surveying calculations.
- Ability to perform routine technical computations, make estimates, compile statistical information, and perform analysis.
- Highly capable of understanding and/or transmitting complex oral and written instructions.
- Highly capable self-starter, self-motivated, detail-oriented, team player, and able to carry out assignments independently with only general oversight.
- Highly capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and proficiently while maintaining schedule flexibility as needed.
- Ability to develop, modify, and maintain computer modeling applications. (Corporate Pricing and Reporting)
- Ability to read and understand regularity requirements for FERC, NERC, and FRCC (Electric System Compliance and Security)
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (Mechanical Engineer):
- Knowledge of rotating equipment, such as pumps and motors.
- Basic knowledge of vibration and alignment of rotating equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret oil analyses.
- Knowledge of air compressors and air dryers.
- Knowledge of valves, such as fuel gas valves and steam valves (understands globe valves, gate valves, ball valves, etc.).
- Effective understanding of P&IDs.
- Capable of making simple drawings using AutoCAD or similar programs.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (Electrical Engineer – Energy Supply):
- Considerable knowledge of NFPA 70E
- Considerable knowledge of arc flash safety.
- Considerable knowledge of low-voltage switchgear.
- Considerable knowledge of high-voltage switchgear.
- Considerable knowledge of generator operation.
- Considerable knowledge of AVR and PSS operations.
- Considerable knowledge of AGC controls.
- Considerable knowledge of NERC process requirements (MOD, PRC, VAR, etc.).
- Considerable knowledge of electric motors.
- Knowledgeable in reading electrical one-line diagrams.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (Controls Engineer):
- Considerable knowledge of AGC controls.
- Considerable knowledge of NERC process requirements (CIP, MOD, PRC, VAR, etc.).
- Considerable knowledge of FMPP compliance and other programs.
- Able to read and write control logic.
- Familiar with DCS control systems.
- Familiar with Foxboro Configuration Essentials, Foxboro System Administration, Siemens SPPA-T3000 Engineering.
- Knowledge and experience with steam and electric plant instrumentation maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Knowledgeable in reading electrical one-line diagrams and logic diagrams
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (Process Engineer):
- Demonstrated ability to oversee natural gas pipeline design and maintenance.
- Knowledgeable in the process of purging and cleaning natural gas pipelines.
- Knowledgeable of the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee daily maintenance of the Energy Production landfill.
- Effective understanding of the Coal Combustion Residue (CCR) requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee water pipeline design and maintenance above and below ground.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (Chemical Engineer):
- Demonstrated ability to oversee the daily operation of a wastewater treatment system.
- Knowledgeable in wastewater chemistry.
- Knowledgeable in clarification chemistry.
- Knowledgeable in boiler chemistry (including high-pressure boilers).
- Knowledgeable in cooling water chemistry.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Energy Production,
Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Chemical, and Process Engineers):
- The job may require some active physical work that involves walking, balancing, climbing ladders/stairs, kneeling, stretching, reaching, pushing, pulling, crouching, bending or standing some of the time, occasional lifting up to 30 pounds, routine keyboard operations and operation of City vehicles.
- The job may require sedentary work.
- Work may include fieldwork as required at various job sites and performing job duties in an office, power plant, and outside environment.
- Employees may also be exposed to the general hazards of the industrial working environment and construction sites.
- The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced. THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Benefits
City of Lakeland 2026 Summary Sheet
Annual Leave Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:
Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*
Sick Leave Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.
Sick Leave Pool Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.
For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768
Family & Medical Leave Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.
For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
Pension Plan Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.
Defined Benefit Plan:
Plan C Employee 4.52% Employer 15.54%
OR
Defined Contribution Plan:
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire Employer 15.54%
Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.
Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.
Holidays Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.
Funeral Leave Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.
Jury/Witness Duty Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.
Military Leave Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).
Maternity Leave Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.
Leave of Absence Without Pay Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.
Longevity Pay
Tuition Reimbursement Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.
For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.
Suggestion Awards A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.
For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.
Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder) An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.
Uniforms/Equipment Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.
Parking Free while at work.
Break Periods Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.
For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.
For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.
For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.