Technical Operations Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR

The Project Engineer / Technical Manager is responsible for primary leadership in the development, sustainment, and compliance of POWER Testing and Energization (PTE)-focused training. Position reports to Business Unit Director. This role ensures technical training is developed to support safe, effective, and efficient work processes through a combination of technical understanding, project/client/team needs, and focused growth areas as defined by the PTE personnel and project management teams. As the position does not require the individual to be the direct leader in each technical training, the role will place the Project Engineer / Technical Manager in the primary role of ensuring developed and sustained training meets PTE, client, and broader WSP needs.  The role will work with WSP Training department for integration of existing and future training courses into Horizon LMS, virtual and in-person training as appropriate.  The role will support the incorporation of acquired firms, information, or technology into PTE training development as well. 

• Primary responsibility is to lead the development, tracking, and sustainment of technical training focused on PTE needs as defined by PTE Personnel Management and PTE Project Management teams.  Focus on safety, Human Performance, and compliance with a strong technical focus to the training developed. 
• Secondary focus for support of PTE project teams in management, tracking, and updates of PTE Subject Matter Experts (SME), WSP Power & Energy SME's, and external SME's as appropriate.  It is expected that this experience will be gained through technical support of projects, clients, and project teams with billability goals between 40% - 50%. 
• Facilitate, either through direct leadership or support, classroom and virtual training sessions for safety, technical, and Human Performance Improvement topics, incorporating adult learning principles based on field, project, client, and WSP needs.
• Lead and/or support curriculum content, presentations, reference guides, and communications to support ongoing staff development.
• Develop and deliver technical training with a focus on fostering knowledge management and mentoring within the PTE and WSP organization.  This may include collaboration with other business lines or other training teams for cross-collaboration opportunities. 
• Analyze program and project effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to the development and enhancement of team processes such as the PTE HPI Event reporting process, WSP iSMS process, and other SmartSheet database and tracking systems. 
• Support project teams in Engineering and Constructability reviews as requested by personnel and project managers.  Engineering support will assist in assessing project scope and documentation.
• From available information, development of appropriate test or commissioning plans, and reviews of project documentation or engineering materials to identify possible scope gaps, engineering omissions, or other partial or absent information that will impact the ability to perform the work.  
• Facilitate conference calls, webinars, and program pre-calls to ensure consistent communication and alignment across multiple locations.
• Manage the training facility, maintain a safe learning environment, and support the scheduling and delivery of training sessions.
• Produce cost and timeline estimates for the development of new training programs or major updates to existing training.  Specifically, when new equipment or other personnel time is required to support the effort.  
• Support the creation and maintenance of program and project calendars for technical training development project.  This will include updates to the learning management system for training offerings, certificate tracking, and rosters. 
  Domestic travel up to 50% may be required to support project and training activities.
• Coordinate, review, and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for mid-level and complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.

• Apply high-level electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases involving more complex infrastructure engineering work, including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.

• Assist with engineering review of permit applications, engineering design plans and specifications, standby plans and engineering contracts, and periodic construction inspections, to ensure that they comply with applicable state and/or federal regulations and sound engineering practice and standards.
• Meet with various public or private entities or individuals to discuss issues relating to a variety of electrical/engineering/construction challenges and programs. 
• Ensure technical reports and presentations explain research, findings, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address electrical, design, and/or construction issues or opportunities. 

• Maintain a high level of quality and responsiveness to client requirements in alignment with Pickett's standards.

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in the electrical testing industry, including experience with apparatus, relaying, protection and controls, SCADA, and communications systems.
• Engineer license required (multi-state preferred).
• Experience in training adult learners, with demonstrated ability to facilitate discussions and deliver both classroom and virtual training.
• Highly proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Highly proficient with infrastructure design.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and program/construction management, including comprehensive experience in working with adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
• Strong knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Highly proficient with making technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations. 
• Experience with planning and conducting inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing intricate ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior-level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP, WIN IGS, Inventor, AutoCAD electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis, and arrive at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Valid Driver's License with a clean driving record and the ability to pass drug/alcohol screening.
  Experience in virtual facilitation and managing cross-location learning experiences.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible with a variety of schedules to meet business needs and be able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of professional experience in the electrical testing industry, including experience with apparatus, relaying, protection and controls, SCADA, and communications systems.
• Experience delivering technical training on substation electrical, safety, Human Performance Improvement, or substation electrical testing subjects.
• Experience operating within organizations with a high appreciation for Human Performance Improvement.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.