Transmission Nuclear Switchyard Technician II or III

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About the role

This is a technically skilled craft level position critical to the reliability of nuclear facilities, which generate power for the grid through Nuclear Switchyards. Within a highly regulated work area, this role supports and ensures all of Duke Energy’s Nuclear facilities are reliably connected through its seven PGO nuclear switchyards.

A Transmission Nuclear Switchyard Technician III typically operates within a geographic area supporting multiple nuclear facilities but may be deployed to other switchyards if workload demands. As a point of contact between Nuclear and PGO, this employee must represent all switchyard work, fostering a culture that values self-reporting of compliance violations, human performance events, continuous improvement, and consistency across areas of responsibility.

An incumbent is expected to provide coaching on safety, technical, and procedural matters while leading NSTs performing work within Nuclear Switchyards. This position requires expertise in both PGO and Nuclear policies/procedures to ensure construction and maintenance work is executed within documented boundaries. Incumbents must independently lead construction and maintenance activities, serve on committees, enhance policies/procedures, and resolve issues related to test equipment, switching and tagging, preventive maintenance, inspections, modifications, troubleshooting, and heavy lifting.

The role involves executing and documenting work to ensure regulatory compliance with OSHA, NERC, NRC, NEIL, NOS, QA, and environmental regulations associated with PGO switchyard and nuclear assets. It provides a PGO perspective for switching, scheduling, procedure adherence, and the switchyard and 24kV interface agreement. The incumbent must adapt to working under two training programs, work methods, and safety expectations.

For Nuclear switchyards, this position requires advanced skills in construction, maintenance, and inspections performed by multiple PGO disciplines, including but not limited to: switching and tagging, grounding, equipment testing, substation DC supply (batteries and chargers), monitoring/control, AC low voltage systems, oil and gas processing, refurbishment of HV apparatus and switches, rigging/lifting, and frequent aerial work.

Given the significant contribution of nuclear generation to Duke Energy, Municipalities, and Electric Cooperatives in the Carolinas, incumbents must be available for outage restoration and response to failures and emergencies, including 24/7 support for system emergencies or emergent projects.

Responsibilities

• Study, retain, and operate following all PGO and Nuclear safety rules – 100% compliance.
• Safely lead jobs and work independently of direct leadership.
• Perform substation equipment isolation, clearances, and grounding practices.
• Follow both PGO Switching & Tagging and Nuclear safety tagging program (eSOMS).
• Execute work following PGO work methods/JPI/Procedures and Nuclear Administrative/Technical Procedures.
• Adhere to Human Performance practices; stop work during any uncertainty.
• Use PGO and Nuclear processes, interface agreements, work management, and scheduling systems to organize substation work activities.
• Adeptly use both work management systems – Maximo (PGO) and NAS (Nuclear).
• Read PGO and Nuclear prints to isolate protection without jeopardizing critical equipment.
• Apply AC and DC circuit principles during work execution.
• Test, troubleshoot, calibrate, maintain, and repair electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, instrumentation, and control systems while maintaining reliability.
• Operate within nuclear switchyards and plant boundaries, exercising broad knowledge of both Nuclear and PGO expectations, including work activities inside SOCA and nuclear protected areas.
• Respond to all call-outs 24/7.
• Test/scan and interpret results for power factor, winding resistance, DC grounds, battery testing, circuit breaker timing, leakage reactance, infrared, and corona scanning.
• Collaborate with the Nuclear Work Control Center/Operations and the Transmission Energy Control Center/Service techs to start and complete work activities.
• Adhere to policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements (NRC, NERC); accurately document test results with timely completion.
• Perform maintenance/construction activities on substation equipment, including switches, circuit breakers, transformers, regulators, PTs, CTs, CCVTs, and grounding systems.
• Demonstrate professional verbal and written communication skills to interact with both PGO and Nuclear leadership.
• Use laptop testing and work-related IT systems: Maximo, NAS, Tags Pro eSOMS, Nantel.
• Ensure strict adherence to the Nuclear Fatigue Rule work hour limits for both online and outage-related activities.
• Maintain compliance with all PGO training (e.g., EHS training matrix) and specific administrative processes requiring training in NGD, including:
  • All training/testing required for nuclear access and badging.
  • Both PGO and Nuclear red tag/safety tag training (two different systems).
  • Nuclear housekeeping tags.
  • Program requirements for calibrated tools used per nuclear work orders.
• Follow and meet schedules, PGO work methods, nuclear procedures, practices, and compliance with design and construction standards.

Requirements

• Valid State Driver’s License and ability to obtain a CDL Class A Driver’s License.
• Pass DOT physicals.
• Pass Nuclear required qualifications: written testing, fit for duty, psychological evaluation, and maintain unescorted access to Protected Areas within Nuclear facilities.
• Obtain unescorted access to Duke’s Nuclear facilities.
• Pass Duke aptitude test and maintain Nuclear Employee Technical Qualification Standards and continuing training requirements, including those specific to the Transmission Nuclear Training program.
• Pass required background checks for NERC/CIP/Nuclear compliance.
• Permanent residence approximately forty-five minutes from base location.
• Capability to work on elevated work surfaces and lift/carry 50 lbs.
• Ability to climb ladders and scaffolding and operate aerial lifts.
• Demonstrated availability for after-hours work and call-out rotation.
• Ability to work in a diverse environment with individuals from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Field Mobility Classification: Work will be performed in various field locations after the onboarding period; must live within a reasonable daily commute to the assigned work location.
• Weight restriction of 275 pounds as an essential function of the job to ensure safe use of weight-rated equipment.

Qualifications

For Technician II

• Associate Degree in Electromechanical Engineering Technology or related field, or
• High School/GED and 3 years of related work experience.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required.

For Technician III

• Associate Degree in Electromechanical Engineering Technology or related field and 3+ years of related work experience, or
• High School/GED and 5 years of related work experience.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced written and oral communication skills.
• Technical and professional knowledge; frequently leads others.
• Positive working relationships to coordinate activities with internal and external customers.
• Supports company goals and represents the company positively.
• Provides coaching and mentors other Technicians.
• Sets a positive example for others to follow.
• 3+ years of experience working in the Nuclear Generation environment, including switchyard and site transformer areas.
• Troubleshoot Vendor Testing Software.
• Ability to fill in for the Supervisor during routine maintenance, outages, down powers, emergent, or non-emergent activities.
• Extensive computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, email, spreadsheets).
• Ability to assess and evaluate workers for NGD work hour guidelines as required by the NRC; proficiency with the Emp Center tool.

Working Conditions

• Position is based in North and South Carolina.
• 5-15% travel required.
• No relocation assistance provided.
• Non-union position; no visa sponsorship available.