Job description
Position OverviewThe Professional Engineer – Energy Resources performs advanced electrical, mechanical, and computer modeling engineering tasks to support Merced Irrigation District’s (MID) electric and hydroelectric operations. This role collaborates across departments, including General Management, Water Operations, Maintenance, and Finance, to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant energy resource management. The position involves project management, system analysis, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement to achieve District objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Engineering Design & Analysis: Conduct complex engineering tasks for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of electrical and hydroelectric facilities. Perform system modeling, load flow, short circuit analysis, and engineering studies to optimize performance of any and all distribution and transmission equipment.
- Project Management: Oversee engineering and construction projects from planning to completion, including budgeting, scheduling, coordination, and field inspections. Collaborate with external entities (e.g., CAISO, PG&E, TID, NCPA, consultants, regulators) to ensure project success.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to NERC and WECC standards by monitoring compliance, coordinating audits, preparing reports, and developing performance metrics.
- Technical Support: Provide expertise to MID departments, including engineering, planning, and operations. Offer guidance on technical issues, interpret construction drawings, and resolve field challenges during project execution.
- Planning & Budgeting: Contribute to short- and long-term capital improvement plans, revenue forecasting, and power cost budgeting using performance models. Review developer-submitted plans for compliance with District standards.
- Field Work: Perform field surveys and site visits to support construction projects, new customer connections, and facility upgrades. Respond to emergencies and participate in on-call duties as assigned.
- Reporting & Communication: Prepare detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for internal, board, and public use. Represent MID at community and professional meetings, fostering consensus and addressing public concerns.
- Software Utilization: Leverage engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, GE SPSLF, Civil 3D, MS Office Suite, ETAP, ASPEN Oneliner) and develop proficiency in new tools as needed.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering from an accredited institution.
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of professional engineering experience in electric transmission, distribution, substation design, or operations.
- Proven experience preparing technical reports and studies for electric transmission and distribution projects.
- Proficiency in multiple engineering software programs, including AutoCAD and MS Office Suite.
- Familiarity with NERC/WECC compliance and CAISO/TID tariff structures is preferred.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to independently resolve nonstandard issues using best engineering practices.
- Effective communication, both verbal and written, with diverse stakeholders, including staff, contractors, regulators, and the public.
- Leadership and project management skills to guide teams and coordinate complex initiatives.
- Ability to handle confidential information professionally and navigate sensitive political dynamics within a public agency.
- Proficiency in negotiating agreements and building consensus with external entities.
- Adaptability to learn new software and attend District-directed training.
Knowledge
- Electrical engineering principles related to transmission, distribution, and substations.
- NERC/WECC compliance standards and CAISO grid management methodologies.
- Project management processes, including CEQA/NEPA requirements and bid specifications.
- Research, analysis, and technical report preparation methodologies.
- Supervisory techniques to lead and mentor engineering staff.
Special Requirements
- Valid California Driver’s License.
- Ability to respond to emergencies and participate in on-call rotations.
- Willingness to attend professional development courses as directed.
- PE License (Electrical)
Work Environment & Environmental Factors
- Primarily office-based with occasional fieldwork (10% or less exposure to outdoor conditions).
- May require irregular or extended hours, including overtime.
- Exposure to uneven terrain or stairways during site visits.
Physical Demands
- Sit for up to eight (8) hours per day while operating computers and office equipment.
- Lift and carry up to 25 pounds of materials or equipment.
- Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and in writing.
- Hear and see well enough to interpret communications and operate vehicles/office equipment.
- Navigate uneven ground or bend/stoop during fieldwork.
Mental Demands:
- Exercise independent judgment and objective reasoning.
- Organize and prioritize tasks on daily and weekly basis.
- Interpret and apply state, federal, and agency regulations.
- Document work concisely, accurately, and promptly.
- Manage multiple duties with potential interruptions.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Supervision:
- Reports to the Manager of Engineering - Energy Resources.
Benefits
Merced Irrigation District Benefit Overview:
Medical: The District offers Medical coverage through Anthem Blue Cross. There are currently two plans available, the HSA Plan and the Buy Up Plan. The HSA Plan is paid 100% by the District. The Buy Up Plan requires shared costs by the employee and the District. Dental: The District offers Dental coverage through Delta Dental. This plan is optional. Currently the cost of coverage is paid 100% by the District for regular employees. All preventative services are covered 100% from day one. Vision: The Vision Service Plan (VSP) will cover employees and their insured dependents. This plan is optional. Currently the cost of coverage is paid 100% by the District for regular employees. Stay Healthy
- Medical and Prescription Benefits through Anthem Blue Cross
- Dental Benefits through Delta Dental – Paid 100% by District
- Vision Benefits through Vision Service Plan (VSP) – Paid 100% by District Feeling Secure
- Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
- State Disability
- Retirement through CalPERS
- Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Voluntary Participation in the 457 Plan with a 20% match
- Participation in Social Security Benefits Work/Life Balance
- Sick Time/Vacation Time – accrued individually based on years of service
- 10 Holidays Observed Annually
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans
- Catastrophic Leave Program
- Longevity Incentive Program
- The District provides health, dental, and vision insurance to regular employees of continuous employment. The cost for the insurance coverage for the employee is presently fully paid by the District. The employee and the District share the cost for dependent or family coverage. Coverage provided by these plans is described briefly below but may be subject to change based on renewal provisions. The District does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these plan descriptions. The plans’ benefits provisions under the current insurance agreements will apply. •The employee, spouse, or dependent child has the responsibility to notify the MercedIrrigation District Human Resources Office in writing within thirty (30) days of an eventsuch as a divorce, legal separation, a dependent child losing dependent status under theplan, or you or a covered dependent becoming Medicare eligible. For a completedescription on the plan eligibility rules, please read your Evidence of Coverage plandescription.
Deferred Compensation:
The District offers employees participation in a deferred compensation plan, otherwise known as a 457(b). Once enrolled, employees can elect to contribute via bi-weekly payroll deductions to any or all of the tax deferred plan accounts. Bi-weekly payroll deductions of not less than $20.00 per paycheck may be authorized by the employee. Maximum contributions are in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code Section 457. Employee Plan Contribution Limits for 2026: •Regular Limit •50+ Catch-up •3-Year Catch-up$24,500 $32,500 ($8,000 + regular limit) additional $11,250 Employer Plan Contribution Limit for 2026 is $1,800 per year. Advantages of a 457(b) Plan for qualified employers, 457(b) plans provide their employees a number of powerful advantages. These include: •Contributions have no impact on 403(b) contributions. Employees can contributeup to the maximum annual limit to both plans. •Plan withdrawals are available at any time after severance from employment.Unlike 403(b) and 401(k) plans, 457(b) plans are exempt from the 10% prematuredistribution (except qualified plan rollovers into a 457(b) plan). •Can be more suitable for employees who need flexible distribution options, suchas administrators, teachers, counselors and coaches. •Greater flexibility for employees than 403(b) programs and can be appropriate foremployees who are raising a family, pursuing a graduate degree or within a fewyears of leaving their employer. •Broader catch-up provisions for those nearing retirement and are not aggregatedwith 403(b) plan catch-up provisions. •Upon severance from employment, accumulations can be taken as a lump sum,rolled over into an IRA, another 457(b), a 403(b) program or a 401(a)/(k) plan of anew employer, or periodic payment options can be established.
Employee Development – Tuition Assistance Program:
Self-Initiated Employee Development •The District maintains an Employee Development policy, applicable to regular employees,under which such employees may elect to continue their education. An employee shallbe reimbursed for one‐half the cost of tuition and/or fees and books when he/she hascompleted a course of study which is directly related to a present job classification, orwhen the course of study is directly related to a higher District classification he/sheaspires to be promoted to. The District will pay a maximum of $5,000 per calendar yearfor each employee. •The District reserves the right to condition tuition reimbursement upon an employee’sagreement to reimburse the District for tuition payments in the event the employeeleaves the District within twenty-four (24) months after receiving the tuitionreimbursement. However, the District’s reimbursement of an employee’s tuition in noway guarantees or implies that the employee will receive preferential treatment withregard to future promotions or transfers with the District.
Retirement:
•The District will enroll all eligible employees in the Public Employees’ Retirement System(PERS) in the miscellaneous category, with a 2% at age 62 supplemental formula, alongwith the following optional inclusions: •No reduction for full Social Security. •Prior service is limited to members employed on the original contract date. •Credit for unused sick leave. •Industrial disability for miscellaneous members. •Post retirement survivor allowance. •Improved non-industrial disability allowance. •The employee and the District share the cost of the retirement benefit. Theemployee contribution is 7.5% of qualifying gross salary or ½ of normal costs to amaximum of 8%. The employer paid member contribution is subject to change,but is currently 12.4%. •PERS provides an annual statement to all members in the fall of each year. This statement,which is mailed to your home, includes a summary of your contributions, interest earned,and, if applicable, a projected retirement amount since retirement is an option at age 50and beyond once vesting occurs. The normal retirement age at the District is age 60-62, depending upon your start date. The District reserves the right to change retirement plans at the sole discretion of the District.
Retiree Health Benefits:
•Eligible retirees of the District (age 60 with a minimum of five (5) years’ service) and theireligible dependents can elect to remain enrolled under the District’s health plan(s) untilthey become Medicare eligible at age 65. If the District offers more than one health planat the time of retirement, the retiree can elect to remain on that same plan at the timeof retirement, continuing to share the cost of premiums with the District. Eligible retireesmay continue dependent coverage on the same basis as current employees of the District. Dependent eligibility ceases when the retiree becomes eligible for Medicare