Overnight Switch Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DISTRIBUTION ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVE / DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER ASSOCIATE / DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER

Columbus, Georgia

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is currently seeking a Distribution Engineering Representative, Distribution Engineer Associate, or Distribution Engineer for the Columbus Area Headquarters. The successful candidate will be placed at a level commensurate with education, experience, demonstrated competencies, technical expertise, and business needs. 

Reports To: Engineering Supervisor
Work Location: Columbus Area Headquarters
Address: 3610 Gentian Blvd, Columbus, GA 31909

Candidates must currently reside within a reasonable daily commuting distance of the Columbus Area or be willing to relocate to the area. Relocation assistance may be available. 

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for providing engineering, design, construction coordination, project management, customer support, reliability improvement, asset management, and operational support activities associated with the electric distribution system within an assigned service area. 

Responsibilities include service design, estimating, customer coordination, engineering analysis, distribution planning support, project management, and construction coordination for overhead and underground distribution facilities serving residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers. 

The successful candidate must provide superior customer service while preparing and scheduling construction work to meet committed service dates. Responsibilities include writing and executing switching orders to safely maintain and operate the distribution system and assisting with planning efforts that support reliability and operational excellence. 

Additional responsibilities include responding to customer inquiries, investigating voltage complaints and claims, supporting compliance initiatives, and participating in asset management programs. The successful candidate will balance safety, customer satisfaction, reliability, compliance, and financial stewardship when making engineering and operational decisions. 

This position requires effective coordination with customers, contractors, operations personnel, line crews, corporate partners, and local leadership to successfully execute projects and achieve business objectives. The position also supports reliability improvement initiatives, system performance enhancement efforts, and continuous improvement activities. 

The candidate will participate in the on-call trouble supervision rotation and must be willing and able to respond to local, regional, and out-of-state storm restoration assignments, including extended work hours, overnight travel, and emergency response activities as business needs dictate. 

POSITION CLASSIFICATION

The successful candidate may be placed as a Distribution Engineering Representative, Distribution Engineer Associate, or Distribution Engineer based upon education, experience, demonstrated competencies, technical expertise, and business needs. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:

Distribution Engineering Representative

• Two-year accredited Technical Degree; OR
• Four-year accredited non-engineering degree; OR
• EUT Certificate; OR
• Equivalent utility experience and qualifications as determined by the company. 

Distribution Engineer Associate

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited university. 

Distribution Engineer

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited university. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Electric utility experience.
• Distribution engineering experience.
• Utility operations experience.
• Construction coordination experience.
• Project management experience.
• GIS experience.
• Design software experience.
• Internal Georgia Power and Southern Company experience.
• EUT Certification.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering preferred for candidates being considered for placement as a Distribution Engineer. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and coordinate overhead and underground distribution facilities.
• Prepare engineering designs, estimates, construction packages, and work orders.
• Manage assigned customer and company projects from initiation through completion.
• Schedule work to meet committed customer service dates.
• Support distribution planning and system improvement initiatives.
• Investigate customer concerns including voltage complaints, service issues, claims, and reliability concerns.
• Coordinate with customers, contractors, governmental agencies, operations personnel, and line crews.
• Support compliance, environmental, and asset management programs.
• Analyze operational and engineering data to improve reliability and system performance.
• Write and execute switching orders as qualified and authorized.
• Ensure all work complies with company standards, operating procedures, safety requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Support emergency response and storm restoration activities.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation in accordance with company and regulatory requirements. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of engineering and construction principles.
• Understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and power systems.
• Knowledge of electrical system operations and distribution systems.
• Knowledge of underground and overhead construction practices.
• Working knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC).
• Knowledge of utility reliability principles preferred.
• Knowledge of switching and distribution operations preferred.

Systems and Technology

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and related engineering software systems.
• Familiarity with GIS and mapping tools.
• Familiarity with OFS, JETS, Express Sketch/GIS, CSS, Socket, DistView, NMS Web, NJUNS, OUA, and Pole Foreman preferred.
• Ability to utilize digital engineering tools, mapping applications, mobile technology, and data analytics to support business decisions.
• Ability to analyze operational and engineering data to support reliability and asset management efforts.

Professional Skills

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to influence outcomes and build positive working relationships.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and evaluate risk.
• Ability to manage customer expectations and resolve challenging situations professionally.
• Demonstrated leadership, accountability, and ownership of assigned work activities. 

RELIABILITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT

• Support reliability improvement initiatives.
• Assist with asset condition assessments.
• Identify opportunities for system improvement.
• Utilize operational data and field observations to improve system performance.
• Support risk-based prioritization of capital and maintenance work.
• Participate in compliance and asset management programs supporting safe and reliable electric service. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned service territory.
• Ability to safely operate a company vehicle.
• Ability to perform field inspections and investigations.
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain and active construction sites.
• Ability to work extended hours during outages, emergencies, and storm restoration events. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Must have a safe work record and successfully follow established safety practices and policies.
• Must demonstrate Georgia Power's "Our Values" behaviors: 
  • Safety First
  • Intentional Inclusion
  • Act with Integrity
  • Superior Performance
• Pursue high standards for safety and customer service.
• Be self-motivated and self-directed.
• Take personal responsibility for projects, assignments, and operational issues through completion.
• Build positive relationships and work effectively with diverse employee groups and customers.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Georgia Power and Southern Company distribution construction practices, guidelines, standards, and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Foster strong working relationships across organizations and departments.
• Support a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and customer focus.
• Effectively evaluate risk and exercise sound engineering and operational judgment.
• Demonstrate adaptability and resilience during changing business conditions and emergency response situations.

This position has been identified as a role that will require the use of a Georgia Power fleet vehicle.  The following will be required if you are selected for this position:

    Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience as a licensed driver (Must hold a valid driver's license for the class vehicle to be operated. Driving permits are not typically considered a valid driver's license). 
    Must have no revocation of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.
    Must consent to a continuous monitoring of your Motor Vehicle Record