Distribution Engineer Co-op/Intern

Job Description

Here is the detailed and enriched job description:

About the Job: Distribution Engineer Co-op/Intern

Power up a career with us. Our people are our greatest investments.

Be the light to help us keep our customers connected. If you are interested in a career and not just a position, Tampa Electric is the place to be! Tampa Electric offers competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for growth and development in a friendly and professional work environment. We embrace diversity and the inclusion of all, believing our differences, unique perspectives, and talents are our strengths and integral to the success of our company.

About Tampa Electric (TEC)

We’re honored to serve approximately 780,000 customers across West Central Florida and safely provide them with clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. With over 100 years of service, we are building on that legacy through innovation, continued solar investments, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions, all while keeping top-notch customer service at the center of all we do.

Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a family of energy companies that also includes TECO Peoples Gas and New Mexico Gas Company. Emera provides energy to residential and commercial customers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, with career opportunities available in all of these locations.

Where Your Education Meets Opportunity: The TECO Energy Student Program

Are you a college student ready to gain real-world experience in your field of study? The TECO Energy Student Program is your opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting, contribute to meaningful projects, and grow your career from day one.

We partner with accredited four-year colleges and universities to recruit motivated students who are eager to learn and make an impact. As a student with us, you’ll take on challenging assignments that align with your academic background and our business needs—giving you a head start on your future.

Why Join Us?

• Hands-on experience in your area of study
• Meaningful, project-based work
• Professional development and mentorship
• A supportive, inclusive work environment

Start building your future with TECO Energy.

Position Summary/Details

This position is responsible for the coordination and design of Tampa Electric Company’s (TEC) distribution system, including new construction and maintenance projects. The successful candidate will establish relationships with customers and local agencies to determine service requirements. This Engineer will generate and manage projects using TEC tools, create necessary permit and construction drawings, and ensure successful coordination with TEC departments through project completion.

Key Responsibilities And/or Learning Objectives

• Customer & Project Coordination:
  • Meet with customers and/or their agents to conduct needs and feasibility assessments on multiple construction projects and load additions of varying scale.
  • Manage schedules and required completion dates for different construction phases.
  • Communicate updates to all involved entities regarding construction schedules or other impactful changes, documenting via letters and emails.
  • Coordinate and manage construction activities between TEC Planning & Scheduling, Field Construction, Operations, the Customer, and other ED Departments.
  • Represent customers in weekly POW meetings with all involved TEC departments.
• Work Management System (WMS) & Project Tracking:
  • Create and manage work requests (WR) in WMS, dividing jobs into phases/crews with associated WRs for overhead line, underground line, service, grounding contractors, project conduits, and crossing conduits.
  • Continually update targeted schedule dates, work status, and other project details in WMS for all associated WRs.
• Engineering Analysis & Design:
  • Perform analysis to determine the most economical and reliable solutions for customers and the TEC distribution system.
  • Calculate and analyze customer load for proper sizing of TEC facilities.
  • Design and determine TEC facility locations.
  • Design to NESC and TEC specifications, providing pole loading analysis, cable pulling calculations, ruling span calculations, clearances, motor start calculations, voltage drop, and sag calculations.
  • Adhere to Florida Administrative Code (Tariff).
• Geographical Information System (GIS) Management:
  • Using TEC’s GIS, design proposed and update existing electrical features (company assets).
  • Establish all specifications in GIS, including correct electrical connectivity, proper supporting structures, and all compatible units (CU) for materials and labor.
  • Resolve identified GIS errors, ensure all GIS task types are linked to WMS WRs, and export GIS material data to WMS.
• Construction Print Production & Permitting:
  • Produce and/or oversee the production of construction prints for Field Construction, Operations, and/or Contractors.
  • Verify and approve adequate identification of TEC’s existing/proposed equipment and third-party infrastructure (water, sewer, storm, gas, telephone, cable lines) on prints, capturing equipment specifications.
  • Determine necessity and scale of Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan based on construction scope and company safety standards.
  • Prepare GIS prints for submission to regulatory agencies for DOT, City, County, or other required governing agency permits.
  • Generate construction prints that clearly communicate the plan of work to field crews.
• Cost Estimation & Financial Analysis:
  • Produce construction cost estimates (including labor, materials, and vehicle).
  • Obtain/calculate projected four-year revenue as needed.
  • Determine and communicate the need for Contribution-in-Aid-of-Construction (CIAC) charges to customers based on TEC revenue shortage/excess costs.
• Troubleshooting & Field Investigation:
  • Access and inspect energized equipment and install current/voltage recording devices for troubleshooting.
  • Troubleshoot customer voltage complaints using various instruments (recording ammeters, voltmeters), install/program/download voltage monitoring devices, analyze results, and utilize engineering skills to resolve issues.
  • Investigate, examine, and test the integrity of TEC distribution facilities using visual and physical procedures to determine replacement or upgrade needs.
• Large Project Interpretation & Management:
  • Interpret plans for large, complex projects such as road widening, intersection improvements, and infrastructure relocations.
  • Identify all impacted TEC facilities and reconcile the final design, protecting TEC’s assets and satisfying local agency requirements.
  • Provide engineering and project management for large master-planned developments and large commercial projects (malls, retail, schools).
• Operational Support:
  • Support the service area Operations Engineer for reliability issues, customer complaints, fuse sizing and coordination, load balancing, capacitor maintenance, and overall circuit improvement.
  • Assist in the investigation and response to Public Service Commission inquiries.

Physical Location of Co-op: Varies

Working Conditions

Mostly in a normal office environment, a successful candidate will visit the field approximately weekly. This will include riding in a company vehicle on-road and off-road, walking on uneven surfaces, and entering substations.

Preferred Availability

Part-Time (20-30 hours)

Qualifications

• Education: Enrolled in an accredited university as a college undergraduate or a graduate-level post-secondary educational program in a related discipline for the first semester the student joins the program.
• Co-Op Requirements: Enrollment in the university’s co-op program (proof of enrollment required); if not eligible for co-op program (or program unavailable), the student will be considered an intern.
• Required Degree: No preference / open to all related disciplines.
• Year In School: Junior or Senior.

Emera Leadership Competencies

• Builds Strong, Collaborative Relationships
• Cultivates Innovation and Embraces Change
• Develops People and Teams
• Drives Operational Excellence for Customers
• Speaks Up on Safety, Health, and the Environment
• Takes Ownership & Acts with Integrity
• Thinks Strategically & Exercises Sound Judgment

Pre-employment Screening

A pre-employment drug screening, physical exam (as applicable), as well as a background check (including employment, criminal, and motor vehicle) will also be conducted as part of the pre-employment screening process.

TECO Benefits Package

TECO offers a competitive Benefits package!

• Competitive Salary
• 401k Savings plan w/ company matching
• Pension plan
• Paid time off
• Paid Holiday time
• Medical, Prescription Drug, & Dental Coverage
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• On-site Fitness Centers
• Bonus Plan and more!

Storm Duty Requirements

Responding to storms will be considered a condition of employment. TECO Energy and its companies serve a critical role in providing essential services to our community during an emergency. Team members are required to participate in response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our TECO Energy customers. Team members are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities. Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company’s rules and procedures.

Equal Opportunity Employer & ADA Policy

TECO Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is unable to perform the essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodations. Employment decisions will be based on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and abilities.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Statement: The contractor 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 with access to compensation information of other employees or applicants as part of their essential job functions cannot disclose this information to individuals without access, unless for formal complaints, investigations, or consistent with legal duties. (41 CFR 60-1.35(c))

ADA Policy: It is the policy of TECO Energy to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified disabled individuals who are employees and applicants for employment, unless it would cause undue hardship. The corporation will adhere to applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines, including, but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1970s. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation in the application process five business days prior to the time accommodation is needed. Pre-employment physical exams may be required for positions with bona fide job-related physical requirements regardless of disability.