Power Systems Technician

The University of Texas at Austin
flexible benefit account, sick time, tuition assistance, 403(b), retirement plan, employee discount
United States, Texas, Austin
101 East 27th Street (Show on map)
Dec 02, 2025
Job Posting Title: Power Systems Technician ---- Hiring Department: Utilities and Energy Management ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: To Be Determined at Offer ---- Earliest Start Date: Ongoing ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: AUSTIN, TX ---- Job Details: General Notes Who We Are We are "the power behind UT". Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) provides reliable and cost-effective electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, emergency power, and elevator services for The University of Texas at Austin. We have more than 170 employees in five divisions: Utilities Operations; Utilities Distribution; Power Systems, Controls, and Operating Technology; Finance and Administrative Services; and Engineering and Technical Services. Who We Are Looking For We are seeking candidates who share the following core values: Safety: Commitment to the well-being of our fellow employees, ourselves, and the campus community. Respect: Treating everyone with fairness and dignity. Integrity: Transparency, honesty, trust and ethics in our work and our relationships. Reliability: Delivery of consistent, dependable, and uninterrupted services. Teamwork: Working together through cooperation, contribution, and the sharing of our knowledge. Excellence: Setting the highest standards through innovation, collaboration, forward-thinking, and stewardship. As a member of our team, you will be part of a globally recognized district energy system that serves a top-tier research university. We strive to provide a positive workplace culture that welcomes ideas, talent and perspectives - and we look forward to hearing from you! Learn more about Utilities and Energy Management. Your skills will make a difference. You'll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will make a difference in the lives of Campus Operations staff, thereby enhancing the student experience. If you're the type of person that wants to know your work has earning and impact, you'll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to: Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%) Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities. Tuition assistance Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards Security sensitive; three-year driving record and criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Applicant required to successfully complete physical abilities testing to remove/replace a large manhole cover weighing 100 lbs and drag 10 ft.; push/pull 100 lbs resistance; lift/carry 90 lbs, lift one-45 lbs of weight up a ladder, kneeling work in confined spaces, and other tasks. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing checks. Must be able to work in all weather conditions. Work on call, and overtime as requested. Work on elevated structures. Purpose Provides advanced technical expertise in the evaluation, testing, and optimization of complex electrical power systems to ensure reliability, safety, and operational excellence. Responsibilities Interprets, applies, and implements advanced protective relay schemes, SCADA logic, and automation designs to ensure the safe, coordinated, and reliable operation of the campus medium-voltage distribution system. Performs complex testing, calibration, and analysis of electro-mechanical and digital relays, power circuit breakers, and associated control and telemetry systems. Diagnoses, repairs, and recommends modifications of protection and control circuitry to maintain proper system coordination and response under all operating conditions. Installs Campus electrical metering and maintains documentation of meters and meter data for troubleshooting and billing purposes. Recommends metering upgrades, including programming and documentation for automation retrofits of legacy systems, ensuring full integration with modern SCADA platforms and compliance with electrical standards. Monitors and records the Campus distribution electrical system operating data, and recommends corrective measures. Participates in meaningful discussions regarding suggested upgrades to switchgear equipment and conducts market research on best practices. Reviews current industry standards and suggests preventive measures and enhancements of distribution system components. Maintains records of work performed through the use of University CMMS (UT Works). Completes assigned PMs and corrective work orders using automated maintenance program systems. Works in conjunction with trades or craft personnel in support of systems within power plants, chilling stations, utility tunnels, or other underground utilities. Performs repairs and diagnosis to equipment such as switches, breakers. Orders, receives, and maintains inventory of materials, supplies and tools. Informs appropriate personnel of unusual conditions, problems, or deficiencies and takes appropriate action. Supervises compliance with standards of workmanship and safety. Attends electrical distribution shop operation and maintenance training courses. Assists with estimates of time and materials required for a job. Reviews and evaluates submittal drawings of equipment. Performs OJT of lower skill level personnel on distribution equipment operational and maintenance practices as required. Cleans and maintains all equipment and work areas. Informs appropriate personnel of unusual conditions, problems or deficiencies and takes appropriate action. Identifies and reports safety hazards. Maintains high level compliance with standards of workmanship and safety. May attend staff meetings. WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards typical to central plants, and utility distribution systems. May be required to work in tunnels and manholes. May be required to work extended shifts. Follow all University and UEM safety policies and procedures, take required safety training, and identify and report safety hazards. Perform work tasks in a safe manner, wear the proper personal protective equipment, and report near misses and incidents. Abide by Utilities and Energy Management's set of core values: Safety, Respect, Integrity, Reliability, Teamwork, and Excellence. Perform other related functions as assigned. Attends staff, safety meetings, plant, and distribution shop equipment operation and maintenance training courses. Trains fellow personnel on operational and maintenance procedures as required. Required to carry University cell phone during work and on-call hours. Drives a UT vehicle. Maintains acceptable driving record as required by UT System Policy UTS157. Required Qualifications High School Diploma, or GED, and a Minimum of fve years in the electrical systems maintenance - relays protection, substation, distribution system, power generation, or similar fields. Or Graduation with an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, Avionics, or an electronics/electrical-related field - plus one year of experience in the relay-protection, substation, distribution systems, power generation or similar fields. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Five years experience at years of hands-on experience with: Protective relay systems, install and maintenance of substation equipment (breakers, transformers, switches), SCADA and remote control systems, and electrical metering. Driving Required This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Salary Range $67,000 + depending on qualifications Working Conditions Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished) May work in all weather conditions May work in extreme temperatures May work around chemical fumes May work around standard office conditions May work around biohazards May work around chemicals May work around electrical and mechanical hazards Environmental Demands: May work around standard office conditions Personal Protection Equipment usage is mandatory in all operating spaces that include hearing and eye protection, gloves, suitable attire and breathing devices may be required under certain conditions. Exposure to heat, chemicals, heated surfaces and asbestos. Exposure to electrical and explosive hazards. Exposure to computer emissions. Exposure to biohazards. Exposure to extreme temperatures. Physical Tasks: Use of a keyboard and personal computer Fine manual dexterity May be required to perform elevated work. Occasional work from ladders and/or scaffolds. May be required to lift up to 50lbs. Often required to twist, grasp, push, pull and bend. Additional Working Conditions: May be required to work in confined spaces, tunnels and manholes, and extended shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends. Perform elevated work. Operate forklifts, personnel lifts, and cranes. Participate in on-call program. Work Shift 40 Hour Work Schedule; Tuesday-Friday, 06:30 AM-05:00 PM Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. May be required to work in confined and elevated spaces. Shifts may be extended- including nights, holidays, and weekends. ---- Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. ---- Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. ---- Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. ---- Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. ---- Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. ---- E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] ---- Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.