Distribution Design Tech Lead

About the Role

As the Lead Distribution Design Technician (DDT), you will support Tampa Electric Company’s (TEC) distribution system construction and maintenance projects. You will serve as an essential point of contact for internal and external customers, contractors, and governmental agencies. This role involves overseeing the daily operations of Distribution Design Technicians/Engineers (DDT/Es) and administrative resources to plan, design, and engineer $10 million (per annum) in additions and changes to the electrical distribution system. You will ensure projects meet applicable codes, regulatory requirements, financial goals, and company standards while balancing customer priorities and corporate objectives.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with customers to conduct needs and feasibility assessments for new construction projects and load additions, determining schedules and required completion dates (10% of role).
• Coordinate with DOT, county, municipalities, utilities, and contractors to preplan construction and assess impacts to existing infrastructure. Represent customers in weekly Pre-POW meetings and DD&E in tri-weekly Electric Delivery Project Management (EDPM) meetings.
• Manage communication with all entities involved in construction activities, documenting updates through WorkPro remarks, memos, and emails.
• Provide project management for large projects exceeding $500,000, including retail stores, industrial projects, schools, or master-planned residential communities, potentially spanning multiple years.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Distribution Design, including PSTEW estimates, PSA contracts, and the TEC bid process. Lead special projects such as solar and 5G cellular initiatives.
• Create and process Work Requests (WR) in the Work Management System (WMS), dividing jobs into phases and crews, and updating targeted schedule dates and project details.
• Assist DDT/Es in determining economical and reliable solutions for customers and TEC’s distribution system, including load analysis, equipment selection, and compliance with engineering standards.
• Use TEC’s GIS system to assist DDT/Es in entering WRs, establishing connectivity, and inputting compatible units (CU) for materials and labor. Resolve GIS errors and ensure proper uploads to WMS.
• Review GIS prints for accuracy and clarity, and serve as the SME resource for service area DDT/Es on TEC’s GIS system.
• Oversee the production of construction prints and right-of-way permit drawings for Field Construction, Construction Services, Real Estate, Operations, and contractors. Verify locations of existing and proposed equipment and non-TEC assets.
• Ensure WR activities are correctly coded and charged to appropriate accounts for Capital, PSA, and O&M projects.
• Assist DDT/Es in producing cost estimates (labor, materials, vehicles) and determining CIAC charges using TEC’s SDRates and PSTEW.
• Examine the integrity of TEC distribution facilities through visual and physical inspections to determine maintenance, replacement, or upgrade needs.
• Work closely with the service area Operations Engineer on customer relations, power quality investigations, and PSC complaints. Investigate and respond to Public Service Commission inquiries and complaints.
• Support TEC’s storm hardening plan through design and approval processes.

Supervision

• Direct Supervision: May oversee administrative staff, Project Scheduler, Project Coordinator, and Field Inspectors, including performance reviews, coaching, and counseling.
• Indirect Supervision: Act as team lead, providing guidance, mentoring, work assignments, and approvals to service area and project DDT/Es. Assume supervisory duties in the absence of the Supervisor Distribution Design.

Relationships

• Key Internal: Distribution Operations, Planning & Scheduling, Standards and Distribution Engineering, Meter Ops, Real Estate, Transmission Engineering and Operations, System Service, Mapping Services, Line Clearance, Field Construction, Lighting, Construction Services, Telecom, One Source, New Construction, Electric Delivery Project Management, Community Relations, Customer Experience, Substation Engineering and Operations, Regulatory, Corporate Communications, and Environmental.
• Key External: Residential and commercial customers, architectural and engineering firms, electricians, developers, general contractors and subcontractors, county and city officials, FDOT, CSX, EPA, and various Homeowners and Civic Associations.

Requirements

• Education: Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED. Preferred: College Degree or technical certification(s).
• Licenses/Certifications: Valid driver’s license and safe driving record. Florida license required within 30 days of residency if applicable. Preferred: Power Pros Distribution Design Certificate from Skills Training Center.
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years in Distribution Design Technician (or equivalent) progression, including at least 2 years designing and managing large, complex projects and providing project leadership. A relevant college degree may substitute for equivalent experience. Preferred: Experience managing large Capital projects over $500,000 and working with multiple departments. Direct experience in Service Area, Network/UCD, or Capital Specific Team (CST) with knowledge of the local system and critical customers.

Skills

• Required:
  • Sustained above-expected performance as a Senior DDT.
  • Effective leadership and team skills.
  • Ability to plan and perform work independently while adapting to changing priorities.
  • Advanced technical skill and knowledge of functional area, with the ability to adapt standard techniques, processes, and procedures.
  • Strong judgment and initiative in developing solutions to complex or recurring issues.
  • Proficiency in computer applications: WorkPro, GIS, PoleForeman, CRM, DOD, DE Toolkit, Voltage monitoring software, and Microsoft Office.
• Preferred:
  • Above-average knowledge of CAD, VISIO, Autodesk, PSTEW estimates, PSA contracts, and TEC’s bid process.
  • Experience developing purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and service entry sheets.
  • Knowledge of protection coordination, voltage effects on electrical appliances, causes of voltage drop and flicker, and cost-effective solutions.
  • Understanding of radio and TV interference causes and fixes, load transfer recommendations, and reasons for voltage reduction.

Leadership Competencies

• Champions Safety, Health & the Environment
• Takes Ownership & Acts with Integrity
• Drives Business Excellence for Customers
• Builds Collaborative Relationships
• Develops People and Teams
• Capable of managing and driving change
• Thinks Strategically & Exercises Sound Judgment

Schedule

Monday through Friday, with additional hours beyond the 40-hour work week required to meet customer deadlines and storm response. Availability during normal working hours is expected, and during storm season, the ability to work 16-hour days (6 AM–10 PM) in support of storm restoration, including serving as Damage Assessment Lead outside the TECO service area and state. Storm duty may require sleeping in company-approved storm housing.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Stress levels vary depending on workload and customer deadlines.
• May be required to work near energized electrical equipment, walk in rough terrain, and lift objects up to 50 lbs. while wearing Fire Resistant clothing and Personal Protective Equipment as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 401k Savings plan with company matching
• Pension plan
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• On-site Fitness Centers
• Bonus Plan and more