Title: Engineering Designer Series

Department: Line Design

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824

Category: Engineering/Technical

Minimum Pay Rate: $37.60/hour

Maximum Pay Rate: $64.71/hour

Apply by Date: 03/28/2025

Posting Type: Open

​The intent of this job posting is to establish an eligibility list for our Engineering Designer Series in SMUD's Distribution Line Design. This list will be used to fill any current and future permanent and limited-term Engineering Designer I-III or Meter and Service Designer vacancies for up to two (2) years. Successful candidates in future selection processes will be hired at the level commensurate with their experience level.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to a written examination.

Written Exam Details:

• The examination is tentatively scheduled to be held in-person mid-April 2025

• Candidates invited to take the exam will receive a private link to self schedule for one of our many exam sessions

• Exams are strictly PASS/FAIL, results will be sent to each applicant approximately two weeks from the exam date.

Please Note: All communications regarding this hiring process will be via email. SMUD is not responsible for mail that is directed to your junk mail inbox so please be sure to add SMUD to your safe senders list.

Please reach out directly to SMUDrecruiter@smud.org at your earliest convenience if a reasonable accommodation is required. All requests must be resolved at least three (3) business days prior to the examination date.

Full job descriptions for each level can be found at the links below:

• Meter and Service Designer ($37.60 - $41.52/hr)

• Engineering Designer I ($37.60 - $45.80/hr)

• Engineering Designer II ($44.68 - $54.43/hr)

• Engineering Designer III ($53.09 - $64.71/hr)

Purpose

Engineering Designer I: Under close supervision, performs the more basic distribution line and facilities design. This work involves learning to develop and revise a full range of engineering drawings. Incumbents perform assigned tasks in all areas and may rotate through various assignments.

Engineering Designer II: Under general supervision, performs the design of more complex distribution lines and facilities and completes routine drafting and drawing design work for substations. Incumbents perform assigned tasks in all areas and may rotate through various assignments.

Engineering Designer III: Performs the full range of distribution line and facilities design. This work involves developing and revising a full range of engineering drawings; coordinating the work assignments of Engineering Designer I/IIs; interpreting and advising on District policies and procedures; implementing design and planning specifications in job package design; reviewing and approving line work jobs as assigned by the Process Coordinator; and advising management. Of distribution line and facilities design issues. May serve as project, program, or process lead.

Nature and Scope

This series is assigned to distribution services. The Engineering Designer I classification is the entry and learning level of the Designer series. Employees in this class perform functional and process tasks associated with and in support of the basic design of distribution lines, substations, and system planning in distribution services. Incumbents are required to advance to the Designer II level by learning design and construction practices, terminology, and work processes.

The Engineering Designer II classification is the intermediate level of the Designer series. Employees in this class perform the full scope of the line design process including the design of the more complex distribution lines and facilities. Incumbents are required to advance to the Designer III level by learning design and construction practices and processes necessary to perform higher-level design and coordination work.

All levels perform work in the design of: Overhead and underground distribution lines and services; elements of distribution system planning; and generation, transmission, and distribution substations. These classifications encompass work performed by previous District classifications including, but not limited to, Engineering Estimator, Engineering Technician/ Specialist, and Land Agent.

Duties and Responsibilities

Engineering Designer I and II: At the Engineering Designer I level, incumbent is in a learning capacity and assists in the duties specified below for an Engineering Designer III. At the Engineering Designer II level, incumbent is at the intermediate level in the series whose function is to perform the full scope of the line design process. The Designer II performs the design of more complex distribution lines and facilities and completes the more routine drafting and drawing design for substations. Engineering Designer III will perform these duties as a fully qualified and experienced journey level:

Engineering Designer I

• Learns computer aided design (CAD) and manual drafting processes and systems.

• Learns to create and revise engineering drawings; learns design guidelines, drafting/mapping standards, construction methods, processes, terminology and procedures associated with distribution line and substation design.

• Learns to perform field investigations to gather data necessary for the development of job packages.

• Learns to perform the basic types of overhead and underground line design such as those for meter & service, night-lights, line extensions, and subdivisions.

• Learns to inspect installation of distribution facilities.

• Learns to advise customers, electricians, and contractors of proper locations of meter and service points, minimum sizes and types of wire and switches required by various codes and standards.

• Learns the process of determining the need for permits, rights-of- way, easements, and encroachments and to work with the appropriate agencies, customers, developers, and property owners to obtain the required documents.

• Takes customer calls and initiates and updates service orders and account information through the CIS computer system.

• Compiles information from customers necessary to prepare and release work packages.

• Clears brush and other obstructions as needed to support work in the field.

Engineering Designer II:

• Performs computer aided design (CAD) and manual drafting processes and systems.

• Creates and revises engineering drawings; follows design guidelines, drafting/mapping standards, construction methods, processes, terminology and procedures associated with distribution line and substation design.

• Performs all elements related to the design and job closure of basic distribution lines and facilities including inspections.

• Perform field investigations to gather data necessary for the development of job packages.

• Performs the basic types of overhead and underground line design such as those for meter & service, night-lights, line extensions, and subdivisions; learns to perform the design of more complex distribution lines and facilities.

• Advises customers, electricians, and contractors of proper locations of meter and service points, minimum sizes and types of wire and switches required by various codes and standards.

• Assists in determining the need for permits, rights-of-way, easements, and encroachments and to work with the appropriate agencies, customers, developers, and property owners to obtain the required documents.

• Takes customer calls and initiates and updates service orders and account information through the CIS computer system.

• Compiles information from customers necessary to prepare and release work packages.

• Clears brush and other obstructions as needed to support work in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities Cont.

Engineering Designer III

• Performs the full range of distribution line and facilities design; develops and revises a full range of engineering drawings.

• Coordinates the work assignments of Engineering Designer I/IIs.

• Develops and provides technical, process, and procedural support, training, and mentoring.

• Implements design and planning specifications in job package design.

• Obtains and assembles data and perform elements of analysis for the following processes, including: soil resistivity testing, equipment orientation investigations, and equipment operating history and characteristics.

• Supports special studies related to process efficiencies, costs, and design improvements.

• Designs elements of electrical substations such as control and protection circuits modification, bus and structure modification, and equipment and metering installations.

• Prepares and reviews substation design change notices (DCNS).

• Assists in developing distribution equipment/material specifications and line design and construction standards.

• Develops new work tools, methods, standards and metrics for process improvement.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent

Designer I/II: Equivalent to completion of sufficient formal and/or informal education to provide the necessary knowledge and skills.

Designer III: Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform basic engineering design including computation, planning, and coordination of various work segments necessary to create detailed line design drawings. At least six (6) years of experience performing the design of more complex distribution lines and facilities and developing and revising engineering drawings.

Required License/Certificate

Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record (not more than two moving violations in the last two years).

Knowledge Of

Mechanical, electrical, and construction terminology; personal computers and application software; computer aided design CAD and/or design tools and applications; electrical distribution and supply systems, theory, design, safety codes and construction practices; general construction design; drafting/engineering drawing techniques, principles, symbols, and abbreviations; rights-of-way, public utility easements, encroachments, parcel maps, land descriptions, and real estate terminology; facilities and topographic maps, construction plan drawings, and electrical diagrams. Mathematics, including algebra and trigonometry.

Skills To

Learn the operation of computer based tools including computer aided design CAD systems cost estimating and materials management, work management and document management systems; solve math problems using algebra and trigonometry; safely operate vehicles such as pickup trucks and vans; operate a personal computer and use application software such as word processing and spreadsheet applications; process and file documents according to established policies and procedures; learn and apply safety regulations and construction codes; learn to safely perform technical work in the field environment such as survey support, marking, taking measurements, and tracing wires; learn and utilize District policies, practices, procedures, rates, rules and service requirements; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; work with numbering and/or indexing systems.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

On-site Work

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Req ID: 2063