Project Design Technician

About Lockhart Power Company:

Founded in 1912, Lockhart Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility located in the Upstate of South Carolina. Our service area spans portions of five South Carolina counties: Spartanburg, Union, Cherokee, Chester, and York. We provide cost-effective and reliable electric power generation, transmission, distribution, and lighting services to a range of residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers. Lockhart Power Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. www.lockhartpower.com

Reports To: Transmission & Distribution Manager FLSA: Full-time Non-Exempt

Job Overview:

Supports the planning, design, coordination, and documentation of distribution and sub‑transmission construction and maintenance activities necessary to maintain reliable electric service. Evaluates field conditions, meets with customers regarding electrical service needs, and coordinates 811 utility locates. Develops work orders used by line crews to perform work such as pole replacements, service relocations, and system improvements. Performs underground facility locates and meter disconnects and reconnects, and assists with outage response and fault location. Prepares material pick lists for warehouse staff and ensures projects are properly entered, tracked, and closed within company systems. Works with minimal supervision across field and office responsibilities and assists the Transmission & Distribution Manager in scheduling and executing daily line crew activities.

Schedule:

• Work hours will be 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Thursday.
• On occasion, may work outside these hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays to support operational needs for outage-related callbacks and training purposes.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Design

• Performs field evaluations for new electrical services, service relocations, and system improvement projects.
• Meets with customers, contractors, and property owners to discuss electrical service requirements and project needs.
• Develops construction work orders and material requirements used by line crews to perform pole replacements, service installations and relocations, and system improvements.
• Designs and lays out routine maintenance and system improvement work on distribution and sub-transmission facilities, including pole replacements and minor construction.
• Coordinates 811 utility locates prior to construction activities.

Field

• Performs underground utility locates to identify and protect company infrastructure.
• Completes meter disconnects and reconnects as required for service work.
• Assists with locating and identifying underground electrical facilities and equipment during outage response and troubleshooting activities.
• Assists with identifying fault locations and system issues to support restoration efforts and system reliability.
• Drives company vehicles throughout the electric system to inspect work sites and meet with customers.

Administrative

• Enters project information and work orders into company work management systems.
• Generates material pick lists and coordinates with warehouse personnel to prepare job materials.
• Supports the scheduling and preparation of daily line crew activities.
• Maintains project documentation including project inputs, project closures, and fixed asset retirements.
• Enters time into the company timekeeping system and completes other administrative records as required.

Safety and Other

• Follows all company safety policies and best practices to maintain and promote a safe work environment.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Specific Skills:

• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Skilled in prioritizing tasks, adapting to changing operational needs, and working with little or no direct supervision.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
• Experienced in coordinating work between field crews, customers, and internal departments.
• Capable of reading system maps, diagrams, and construction standards, and translating field conditions into construction work orders.
• Working knowledge of electrical distribution systems, including construction methods, materials, and equipment such as poles, transformers, conductors, and underground facilities.
• Basic understanding of service sizing, transformer loading, and electrical clearance requirements.
• Competent in basic calculations related to design, materials, and project estimating.
• Familiarity with underground locating equipment and 811 locate requirements and procedures.
• Willingness to learn and use company operational and project management, Geographic Information System (GIS), and design systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

2 years of work experience in electric utility operations, construction support, or field services.

Certifications & Licenses:

Valid driver’s license

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

N/A

Physical Requirements:

Possess close visual acuity to inspect small defects and analyze data; visual acuity to operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, etc., operate motor vehicles or heavy equipment, and make general observations of facilities or structures; ability to reach, stand, walk, perform fingering such as picking, talk, hear effectively; and, exert up to 50lbs of force occasionally, 20lbs of force frequently and/or 10lbs constantly.

Working Conditions:

Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions; temperature levels below 32 degrees and above 100 degrees for more than one hour; and hazards such as moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, and working in high places. Pay: Based on skills, education, and experience Annual Bonus: 5%, based on company and personal performance

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Parental leave
• Vacation
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program