Telecom Technical Specialist

Duquesne Light Company, headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, is a leader in providing electric energy and has been in the forefront of the electric energy market, with a history rooted in technological innovation and superior customer service. Today, the company continues its role as a leader in the transmission and distribution of electric energy, providing a secure supply of reliable power to more than half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Duquesne Light Company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion. We value and respect the unique differences and experiences of our employees. We believe that our differences lead to better collaboration, innovation and outcomes. We want you to join our team!

Location: Woods Run Complex Pittsburgh, PA

Summary:

The Telecommunications Technical Specialist will provide detailed scopes utilized for the successful design and construction of telecommunications assets, taking into account the constructability of the project, and will follow up with technicians providing field support. The individual will develop proper processes and procedures, utilizing industry best practice testing methodologies related to all telecommunication devices.Certain decisions may require the individual to apply innovative thinking and explore solutions beyond conventional approaches. Creative, well-reasoned, and logically developed solutions are encouraged, subject to appropriate review and approval.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review the current assets and system architecture, determine the opportunities for improvement based on standards and industry best practices of telecommunications assets, and develop the business cases to support the upgrades and replacements
• Develop a 5 year forecast and 10 year forecast for the programmatic upgrades and replacements.
• Develop a business plan and business cases to secure funding for inspection, maintenance, and capital replacement programs, managing the budget of each program year to year.
• Develop a removal plan template to eliminate required telecommunications and network equipment, while keeping essential protection and supervision schemes in service without jeopardizing substation or SCADA system functionality. Coordinate the removal of telecommunications and network equipment for multiphase projects with bargaining unit employees.
• Develop a cable pull plan templates and processes for installations utilizing new cables. Coordinate cable pull plan with bargaining unit employees.
• Develop a cutover plan template to eliminate required substation relaying and equipment and add new substation relaying and equipment while keeping essential protection schemes in service without jeopardizing substation function. Coordinate the cutover to new substation relaying and equipment for multiphase projects with bargaining unit employees.
• Develop telecommunication and network standards and specifications to be utilized in substations as well as throughout the organization at various locations.
• Documentation of current devices and configurations in substations and throughout the company and updating work management system accordingly.
• Review Asset Management scopes of work, interpret and evaluate the recommendations, contributing to scopes with Telecommunications requirements when required.
• Review Protection relay and equipment protection recommendations, interpret and evaluate the recommendations, contributing to recommendations with Telecommunications requirements when required.
• Review Engineering designs of various protective relay device replacements, upgrades, modifications, new installations, etc. of drawing lists, bill of materials, AC and DC schematics, panel front views, panel and equipment wiring diagrams, annunciator diagrams, SCADA communication diagrams and point lists, circuit maps, and various other diagrams developed by Engineering, for completeness, ensuring Telecommunications prints are updated to reflect these changes. Mark-up corrections as needed and tracking implementation of changes with bargaining unit employees in the field.
• Review IT and Telecommunication design developed by telecommunication techs including various network and telecommunication devices channels, as well as the interfaces with protective relay devices for replacements, upgrades, modifications, new installations, etc. including drawing lists, bill of materials, AC and DC schematics, panel front views, panel and equipment wiring diagrams, annunciator diagrams, SCADA communication diagrams and point lists, circuit maps, plan views, layout views, elevation views, and various other diagram and drawings, for completeness, correctness, and cohesion. Mark-up corrections as needed and tracking implementation of changes with bargaining unit employees in the field.
• Collaborate with bargaining unit employees to supervise testing, and review telecommunication equipment test results, as well as troubleshooting and retesting for failed test results.
• Coordinate the testing of various IT and telecommunication devices with protective relaying devices for multiphase projects with bargaining unit employees.
• Document, review, interpret, comprehend, organize, and retain results from testing telecommunication and network equipment. Performing technical calculations and studies when required. Prepare test reports with conclusions and recommendations as required.
• Investigates new equipment, devices, testing apparatus, and methodologies to further enhance knowledge and resources within the Operations Technical Services group.
• Provides engineering guidance, technical guidance, and support to other engineers and field operations personnel to help fulfill group goals and objectives.
• Consults with more experienced peers and vendors to become thoroughly familiar with an assignment and to obtain necessary scoping information.
• Provides mentorship, coaching, training, and technical support for less experienced peers and field operations personnel during normal and emergency conditions.
• Develop and host educational sessions for less experienced engineers.
• Attend networking and professional development seminars such as ReliabilityFirst, IEEE, Engineering Association of Pennsylvania (EAP), Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Doble, etc.
• Reviews and keeps informed of codes, regulations standards, and safety practices affecting company resources.
• Develop updates to engineering standards, specifications, and procedures based on field observations of engineers and field techs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned
• Storm team duties as assigned

Education and Experience Required:

• 2-year technical degree in an applicable discipline, experience-based qualifications will be considered
• 7+ years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA degree

• Combination of field and office experience is preferable
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive and relevant utility or similar experience

Physical Requirements:

• Must possess valid driver's license for reporting to various company locations.
• Regular reporting location include a regular office environment with desk and computer duties, other locations include utility substation environment with various fieldwork duties related to Technical Services including testing and commissioning.

Location: Woods Run

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal, written and organizational capabilities.
• Excellent technical writing capabilities
• Excellent troubleshooting capabilities

Scope

Primary Focus is on daily deliverables, outputs and reporting. Accountable for managing one's own time and work flow and leads projects and/or large project steps. Work is complex in nature requiring the incumbent to draw on previous knowledge to perform role. Acts independently the majority of the time, requiring guidance in only complex situations. Has well established capabilities, acts as a resource to less experienced staff on moderately complex issues.

Decision Impact

Problems and issues faced are vague and require analysis of multiple sources of information for solution. Draws on significant past experience to perform role. Accountable for direct level of reasoning and decision making.

Hybrid Work

Position follows our hybrid work model, with a minimum of two days working in the office and the remaining days working remotely. Reporting location and frequency may be subject to change based on job role and department needs.

Storm Roles

All Non-Union Employees will serve in storm roles as appropriate to their role and skillset. Please be sure to discuss storm roles with the hiring manager for this position, as duties can vary across the Company.Examples of storm roles could include but aren't limited to duties such as: working with operations for service center support or with the communications, customer service or government affairs teams to respond to public and customer requests for information, etc.

Data Governance

Utilize data to make business decisions as appropriate for the position, support data stewardship activities and partner with IT on underlying data needs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of the employment relationship, without discrimination because of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran or any other unlawful basis, as defined by applicable law, and fostering a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and retaliation. This policy affects decisions including, but not limited to, hiring, compensation, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, opportunities for promotion, transfer, layoffs, return from a layoff, training and development, and other privileges of employment. An integral part of Duquesne Light Holdings' commitment is to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning equal employment and affirmative action.

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us at HR@duqlight.com and describe the specific accommodation requested for a disability-related limitation.