Description

The City of Richland is looking for 2 well-qualified Electrical Distribution Engineer II professionals to join our team!
 

Target Hiring Range: $105,042.43 - $126,050.91 Annually (DOQ) 

Position Salary Range:$ 105,042.43 - $147,059.40 Annually

This position is open until filled with priority consideration for those candidates who apply by February 3, 2026.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Performs difficult skilled technical work designing and managing major, complex engineering projects involved in the development of distribution systems for the electric utility, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the Chief Electrical Engineer (“supervisor”).

CORE VALUES
All employees are expected to model and foster the City of Richland’s core values in the performance of their duties and their interactions while representing the City.  The values of Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence promote and maintain a high level of morale and productivity and are the tie that binds all City employees together, across all functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of Washington State Professional Electrical Engineer's license upon hire and maintain throughout employment.
Valid driver’s license.
 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree with coursework in electrical engineering, engineering, or related field and six (6) or more years' experience in electrical utilities engineering, broadband design, planning and project administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Utility Experience
• System Modeling experience including load flow and coordination.
• System Protection experience including relays and fusing.
• Substation including design review, contract management, troubleshooting and metering.
• AutoCAD experience
   

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Selection will be based on overall qualifications, skills testing (if applicable) and an interview process. Final candidate selected will be subject to a comprehensive background/reference check commensurate to the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Additional duties of a similar nature and level may also be assigned. The City may make reasonable accommodations to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Provides administration, project management and design of the City’s high-speed broadband communications network and associated service policies; performs a variety of special studies including electrical load, fuse coordination, system design and special needs studies.
• Develops and implements engineering standards to provide uniformity in the design of the overall electrical distribution system and broadband communications; provides technical design reviews regarding work of other engineers and provides counsel as necessary to ensure uniform standards are followed.
• Performs design work for major line extensions; approves drawings; estimates project costs; recommends contractors as necessary and reviews project progress; performs design work for commercial/industrial wiring systems.
• Provides project management during the construction of major electrical distribution and broadband communications projects including staking the project, providing guidance to crew leaders, resolving concerns, authorizing on-site field changes and verification of as-built designs when work is completed.
• Prepares contract specifications and documents required for contracting major electrical distribution construction work for Local Improvement Districts (LID) or customer self-installed electrical distribution and State and Federal related work; writes terms and conditions, provides detailed project description with drawings, provides construction standards, materials specifications, list of materials and detailed engineer's cost estimate.
• Performs long-range planning and development of the electrical distribution system and broadband communications; explains electrical distribution projects and broadband to city, state and government officials, contractors and the public.
• Develops computer databases and programs using commercially available software packages; recommends software programs that provide specialty applications for electrical design (e.g. Network Analysis, fuse coordination, AutoCAD and ESRI assisted utility distribution design software).
   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge of:

Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.
Washington State Electrical Construction Codes, National Electric Code, National Electrical Safety Code and other applicable codes, standards and technical data.
Utility related issues in the National Electrical Code.
Advanced electrical theory related to analysis and design of complex power systems.
High speed, high capacity voice, data and video communication networks including but not limited to Ethernet and Time Division Multiplexed services over wire, fiber and wireless systems.
System design and protection including fusing, loading, wire tensions and material strengths.
Electrical equipment operations.
Research methods and report writing techniques. 
Operation of a computer terminal and data entry techniques. 
Modern office practices, methods, procedures and equipment.
Record-keeping principles, procedures and techniques.
Technical aspects of field of specialty.
 

Skills and Abilities to:

Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures. 
Ensure compliance with National Electrical Code.
Plan and develop electrical distribution systems for major construction projects. Assure compliance of local, State and national codes and local City ordinances.
Plan and develop electrical wiring systems for commercial/industrial building projects.
Prepare estimates, legal documents and contracts.
Prepare and administer capital and operating budgets.
Provide work direction to others.
Operate a computer terminal and electrical surveying equipment.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. 
Operate GIS/CADD equipment using CADD software.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communications in a clear, concise and understandable manner to intended audiences.
Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet deadlines.
Operate a variety of modern office equipment and personal computers using standard or customized software application programs appropriate to assigned activities.
Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Provide continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
 

COMPETENCIES
Foundational

Use Technical/Functional Expertise: Displays an appropriate depth of knowledge and skills as required for the position and commensurate with the time in class. Uses technology as appropriate for the position. Seeks additional knowledge and information to continually enhance knowledge in areas of specialty. 
Be Accountable for Performance: Actively shows responsibility, reliability, and trustworthiness. Ensures work and information are complete and accurate. Admits mistakes and looks for ways to improve. Models self as dependable and reliable. Follows up with others to ensure agreements and commitments have been fulfilled. Values the importance of team and organizational success. Independently takes action to influence events, to improve own or organizational performance and to promote the goals of the organization. 
Provide Excellent Customer Service: Anticipates, assesses, and responds effectively to the needs of diverse customers, both internal and external, providing consistently excellent service that is timely, accurate, courteous, and respectful. 
Communicate Effectively: Uses verbal and written skills effectively to ensure that information is successfully shared throughout the organization. Relates well to a range of people. Shows sensitivity to the needs of others. Demonstrates ability to build rapport and facilitates mutual understanding. 
Work Safely: Knowledge and application of relevant safety requirements that apply to the specific work being done. Recognizes and mitigates safety hazards on the job. Observes rules and regulations to comply with personal and workplace safety standards. Works to create a hazard-free, accident-free environment.
 

WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Requirements and Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This work requires regular and punctual attendance at the office or other assigned location; work requires occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception and color perception; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

SELECTION GUIDELINES
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job classification description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Richland and employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

Summary of the City of Richland benefits for unaffiliated staff (non-represented employees):

Note: Unaffiliated staff (non-union employees) may receive some or all of the benefits listed below based on the Compensation Plan for Unaffiliated Employees (Comp Plan) with the City; consult the Comp Plan for specific information about position benefits.

Regular Full-Time (35 to 40 hr/week) Employee Benefits

Excellent open access (preferred provider) medical plan with substantial City-paid contribution
City-paid dental and vision plans
City-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (equals two times the employee's annual salary)
City-paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
Participation in the State of Washington's Retirement Plan (PERS)
Paid Time Off (PTO)
10 Paid Holidays
4% City-match deferred compensation with 457 and 401(a) plan options
Senior Management Level = additional 4% City-paid into the 401(a) Plan
Management Level = additional 3% City-paid into the 401(a) Plan
Supervisors or Exempt Level = additional 1% City-paid into the 401(a) Plan
Extended Sick Leave (ESL)
Section 125 - Flexible Benefits Plan (Medical/Dependent Care)
City Paid and Employee Paid Retirement Health Savings Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Annual Performance Assessment System
 

Paid Time Off (PTO) Accrual

Regular Full-Time (40hr) Accrual Rates. (The accrual rates for full time (30-34hr) and part-time positions is pro-rated based upon the position's budgeted hours.)

Years of Continuous Service / Maximum Hours Per Month

0 months through 6 months / 13.33 hours per month

6 months through 9 years / 20.33 hours per month

10 years through 15 years / 22.33 hours per month

16 years through 20 years / 24.33 hours per month

Over 20 years / 26.33 hours per month

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diversified work force.  Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), martial or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.
 
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided for participation in the application and selection process, if requested.  Persons with a disability who need assistance must notify the Human Resources Department about the accommodation needed at the time of application and prior to the closing date by calling (509) 942-7392. 
 
The provisions of job announcements listed on this website do not constitute an expressed, or implied, contract of employment with the City.  Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.