Description

This job is covered by an agreement between United Power and Local 111, IBEW

RATE OF PAY: Bargaining Unit Position:

Step 1: $60.28 / hour

Step 2: $61.22 / hour

Step 3: $62.16 / hour

Protection and Controls Technician: $62.79 / hour

LOCATION: Brighton
POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE:

The Protection and Controls Technician works under the direct supervision of the OT (Operations Technology) Network Supervisor and supports the operation, reliability, and continuous improvement of United Power's OT infrastructure, which includes SCADA, substation/field devices, protective relays, fiber, and network communications equipment.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Frequently installs, configures, tests, repairs, and troubleshoots protective electronic-controlled devices and SCADA equipment, including, but not limited to, protection relays, recloser controls, regulator controls, switchgear, intelligent electronic devices, fiber optic systems, and telephone equipment.
• Frequently configures and troubleshoots in a TCP/IP networking environment with proficiency in subnetting, routing, and VLANs. Assists Engineering and IT with networking and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Manages the records and settings on all relay and SCADA equipment installations and tests in various systems by implementing, testing, and performing data input. Keeping accurate records is essential to remain compliant with NERC, WECC, and other industry standards.
• Programs all standard relay settings as instructed by the Engineering department.
• Frequently tests, calibrates, and repairs all types of relays in substations and field locations, including reading control schematics.
• Diagnoses and responds to communication, protection, and other controller alarms in SCADA.
• Frequently installs, configures, troubleshoots, and maintains United Power's substation security cameras and access control systems. Works with Engineering to continuously improve the substation security program. Assists Facilities with designing, implementing, and troubleshooting the building security systems.
• Maintains and calibrates various company electrical measurement tools (volt, ohm, and amp meters, AP Jr., etc.).
• Frequently works on radio equipment, which includes the SCADA radios, base station radios, mobile radios in the company vehicles, and load control equipment.
• Frequently works with procurement for part inventory and orders all parts, tools, and equipment related to the job and for vendor coordination.
• Contributes to network and control system designs, documentation quality, and supporting both operational continuity and United Power's long-term engineering and technology objectives.
• Occasionally designs, fabricates, and implements components and materials for specialty-use applications.
• Assists Engineering with the creation and maintenance of communication lines, RTUs, and other device-related points.
• Occasionally translates data points from various protocols, including DNP3 and Modbus.
• Occasionally works closely with other qualified personnel testing equipment in the field, depending on the qualifications required for safety reasons.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists in maintaining the Brighton and Carbon Valley Protection and Controls shops.
• Occasionally investigates television and radio interference complaints.
• Creates, expands, and maintains professional and productive working relationships with peers and stakeholders. Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation and inclusion in the workplace.
• Performs other such duties as may be requested or assigned to fulfill the needs of United Power in the interest of good management practice
• Occasionally oversees and/or assists in special equipment installations with other departments and contractors.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D., with documented training and work experience exceeding 5 years in fiber, computers, networking, security systems, OSI layer 2 and 3 technologies, redundancy protocols, troubleshooting, and testing, programming and installing relays, specifically Schweitzer, may be considered in lieu of an apprenticeship.

Must be ETA Fiber Optics Installer certified (or higher-level certification) or be able to complete within 6 months.

Must have a valid Colorado driver's license or the ability to obtain one upon hire.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS (applicable to this recruitment only):
Completion of a registered apprenticeship in electronic and relay protection devices. An equivalent combination of experience and education determined to match or exceed the registered apprenticeship.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• The position requires strong technical judgment, field readiness, and the ability to restore critical communications under demanding conditions while coordinating with Engineering, Operations, and other departments.
• Must be able to update device firmware and software. Must be familiar with changing device and network settings. Able to navigate through multiple communication methods to change and control devices.
• Must have knowledge of three-phase power systems and low- to medium-voltage AC/DC systems.
• It is important to know, understand, and apply all OSHA regulations and safety rules necessary to perform the job.
• Must know and be able to apply CPR and first aid techniques.
• Must be able to read and understand electrical drawings and schematics
• Must have basic soldering skills, have a general understanding of RF propagation, and be able to demonstrate competence in Boolean Logic.
• Must be able to translate data points from various protocols, including DNP3 and Modbus.
• Must be able to react to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

No Supervisory Duties. Under the general supervision of the OT Network Supervisor. Other members of the Operations Technology, Engineering, and Operations groups may assign or direct work.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to constantly bend, stand, and walk with occasional sitting.
• Frequently, will lift and carry up to ten pounds (10lbs.); occasionally will lift and carry up to fifty pounds (50lbs.) when putting equipment into place, or up to seventy-five pounds (75 lbs.) with assistance. It may be occasionally necessary to push and pull up to twenty-five pounds of force (25 lbs.).
• Must be able to operate controls when driving a vehicle and operating the forklift.
• Must be able to occasionally climb ladders and hills to reach work areas.
• Must be able to frequently and constantly balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach.
• Must be able to use fingers and hands when working with small wires and parts, and to be able to use hand tools properly with manual dexterity and eye/hand coordination.
• Must be able to speak clearly and hear and understand voices being transmitted when operating a two-way radio/cell phone.
• Must have good close-up vision for reading diagrams and schematics. Must have good distance vision and depth perception while driving and locating work sites. Must also have a good field of vision, eye accommodation, and the ability to distinguish between colors.
• Frequently, the position requires auditory discrimination, with the ability to talk and hear normal conversation, operate a two-way radio, and calibrate radio equipment.
• Distinguishing one smell from another is occasionally important. The Protection and Controls Technician must be able to tell when circuits are burning.
• With this type of work, the Protection and Controls Technician is required to have alertness, precision, ingenuity, problem-solving, analytic ability, spatial perception, tactile discrimination, memory, creativity, concentration, judgment, reasoning, imagination, initiative, writing ability, and patience.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Protection and Controls Technician works about 50% of the time outdoors and 50% indoors. Work is performed in all weather conditions, throughout the service territory, with regular exposure to uneven terrain, insects, rodents, snakes, and other wildlife.

Frequently encounters animal nesting materials, rodent droppings, dead animals, animal remnants, dust, and other biological contaminants while accessing, inspecting, maintaining, cleaning, or repairing equipment enclosures, substations, control houses, vaults, cabinets, fiber pedestals, and similar utility facilities. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices are always required.

The position requires regular travel throughout the service area and frequent work in electrical substations and utility facilities. Electrical hazards are a constant factor of the job, including work with 12-240 VAC/VDC and regular exposure to energized and de-energized equipment with voltages ranging up to 230kV. Employees may also be exposed to mechanical hazards, elevated-risk work environments, burns associated with soldering and electronic equipment, and chemicals such as paints, solvents, and other caustic substances.

Noise levels may occasionally range from seventy to ninety (70-90) decibels for periods of up to three hours per day. Work may involve exposure to fumes, odors, dust, and other environmental conditions commonly associated with utility operations and maintenance activities.

Department: Engineering Department

Bargaining Unit: IBEW Ops

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Updated: August 2026

NOTE: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other job responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.

Management reserves the right to change position descriptions, specifications, or work schedules to accommodate individuals with disabilities or as needed.

This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes an employee retirement plan, 401K with match, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. For a full list of benefits, please visit our careers page at https://www.unitedpower.com/careers