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The Field Service Technician III is an experienced field technician responsible for leading complex electrical testing, maintenance, and commissioning activities on high-voltage substations and power systems. Operating with minimal supervision, the FST III exercises independent technical judgment, manages multi-discipline test procedures, and serves as a technical resource for field crews.
LocationColumbus, Ohio
TravelExtensive travel, including overnight stays
What you will do
- Lead complex electrical testing and commissioning activities on high-voltage substations, switchgear, transformers, circuit breakers, and protective relay systems with minimal supervision.
- Execute advanced test procedures including insulation resistance testing, contact resistance testing, turns ratio testing, power factor testing, hi-pot testing, circuit breaker timing tests, and cable fault location.
- Perform advanced protective relay testing and calibration on microprocessor-based relay systems (e.g., SEL, ABB, Siemens, GE), including complex protection schemes, bus differential, transformer differential, and line distance relaying.
- Lead testing and commissioning of power apparatus including power transformers, current transformers, potential transformers, medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers, and switchgear assemblies; diagnose and resolve complex apparatus test anomalies.
- Lead testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of low-voltage AC/DC station auxiliary systems including station batteries, battery chargers, inverters, DC distribution panels, AC distribution systems, and voltage regulation controls.
- Perform and verify electrical calculations including transformer turns ratios, power factor corrections, relay/metering circuit verification, and fault current analysis.
- Interpret and analyze complex electrical drawings, schematics, one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and wiring diagrams; redline drawings to reflect as-built field conditions.
- Apply independent technical judgment to diagnose and resolve testing anomalies, equipment issues, and root cause analysis of test failures.
- Understand and apply advanced switching concepts and procedures for high-voltage equipment, including development of switching orders when required.
- Manage multi-discipline test procedures across concurrent work activities, ensuring quality and accuracy of all deliverables.
- Prepare comprehensive test reports and commissioning documentation to the highest quality standards; validate reports and test data produced by field crew members.
- Serve as the technical point of contact for assigned projects, interfacing with Field Supervisors, Project Managers, Engineering, and clients on testing scope and technical issues.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to junior and developing field staff on advanced testing procedures, troubleshooting techniques, and professional development.
- Participate in and contribute to Job Safety Task Analyses (JSTAs), safety briefings, and incident investigation and reporting.
- Support proposal and estimating teams with technical input on testing scope, durations, and equipment requirements for new project pursuits.
- Maintain, calibrate, and manage assigned company test equipment and tools; identify equipment needs and recommend replacements or upgrades.
- Perform special projects and complete other duties as assigned or requested.
How you will make an impact
- Directly influence project success by leading the most technically demanding testing and commissioning activities with confidence and precision.
- Elevate the quality of the client’s technical deliverables by validating test data and reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency across the team.
- Reduce project risk through independent technical judgment and proactive identification and resolution of testing anomalies and equipment issues.
- Strengthen the technical capability of the client’s field workforce through hands-on mentorship of junior and developing field staff.
- Support business development efforts by providing credible technical input on testing scope and approach for project pursuits.
- Reinforce the client’s reputation as a premier field services provider through expert-level technical performance and professional customer engagement.
Required qualifications
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, or a related technical field; equivalent field technician experience may be considered in lieu of a degree (2 years for Associate’s, 4 years for Bachelor’s).
- Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in electrical testing, commissioning, or a related field service role.
- Demonstrated expertise in advanced high-voltage electrical testing procedures including protective relay testing, power transformer testing, circuit breaker testing, cable testing, and power system commissioning.
- Proven ability to independently lead complex, multi-discipline test procedures with minimal supervision.
- Advanced knowledge of protective relay systems including complex protection schemes (bus differential, transformer differential, line distance relaying).
- Advanced knowledge of power apparatus testing and low-voltage AC/DC station auxiliary systems including station batteries, chargers, inverters, and distribution panels.
- Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex electrical drawings, schematics, one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and wiring diagrams.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to diagnose testing anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and develop corrective actions.
- Proficiency in performing electrical calculations including transformer ratios, power factor corrections, relay/metering circuit verification, and fault current analysis.
- Excellent technical report writing skills with the ability to produce and validate comprehensive commissioning documentation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Mathematical proficiency through trigonometry.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interface with supervisors, project teams, engineering, and clients.
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record; willingness to travel extensively, including overnight stays.
- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
- TWIC card or ability to obtain one.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with Doble, Megger, Omicron, or similar test equipment platforms.
- Prior experience in electric utility T&D construction or industrial commissioning environments.
- Experience with SCADA systems, power line carrier, and infrared thermography services.
- Familiarity with NFPA 70E, IEEE, and ANSI standards applicable to high-voltage testing.
Physical requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8–12 hours).
- Ability to climb stairs and ladders and access elevated work areas.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and work in confined spaces.
- Ability to work near energized electrical equipment.
- Ability to wear required PPE at all times, including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, FR clothing, gloves, and hearing protection.
- Ability to operate company vehicles safely and maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Ability to travel frequently, including overnight stays.
- Environmental Conditions
- Regular outdoor work in varying weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, humidity, and wind.
- Exposure to electrical hazards, energized equipment, and arc flash environments.
- Exposure to noise, dust, vibration, and industrial job site conditions.
- Driving & Safety-Sensitive Position
- This position is classified as safety-sensitive and requires maintenance of a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, compliance with company motor vehicle policies, and compliance with drug and alcohol testing requirements.
Reasonable accommodation
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions as defined by company policy.