Senior Technical Specialist - Smart Network Technology & Engineering - Connellsville Dunbar Operations Center

Advanced/Senior Technical Specialist- Connellsville, PA

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

This is a full-time, on-site position located in Connellsville, PA.

Job Summary

This job is responsible for serving as the liaison between Network Engineering, Meter Engineering, SMO, Field Technicians, Line Shops, Meter Services, IT, and third parties for the mitigation, optimization, operation, and maintenance of the smart meter field area network system. This lead role initiates, coordinates, tracks, and ensures successful completion of work requests and meter orders required to support network mitigation and optimization. The position includes field work to survey, test, troubleshoot, and support the installation of network devices, direct-connect meters, external antennas, and cellular boosters.

Responsibilities

- Demonstrate and promote a strong commitment to all aspects of safety.
- Provide reliable day-to-day support to supervision and employees on assigned activities, taking appropriate steps to expedite task completion.
- Communicate professionally with customers, contractors, internal organizations, other departments, and all levels of leadership regarding technical support activities.
- Identify issues and work independently, when possible, to resolve them in a timely manner with minimal assistance.
- Manage time and competing priorities and provide management with clear work-in-progress and status updates.
- Build effective working relationships across operations and collaborate with desktop and field network technical specialists.
- Survey, test, analyze, and design mitigation and optimization solutions for router installations, range extenders, mesh networks, direct-connect meters, external antennas, cellular boosters, trouble resolution, and other non-typical solutions.
- Initiate associated SAP notifications and coordinate with Operating Company work management and operations personnel to support timely completion of router and range extender installations and meter orders, including mesh-to-direct-connect meter exchanges and cellular booster work.
- Support the maintenance and management of the router fleet throughout the asset life cycle, including updates, upgrades, replacements, and related technical support activities.
- Support network operations and mesh performance by analyzing communications among range extenders, meters, direct-connect meters, cellular boosters, routers, and other field devices.
- Coordinate field area network troubleshooting and remediation with appropriate groups; develop schedules, contingency plans, and work plans; identify issues; and drive timely resolution.
- Provide technical and field support to Operating Companies.
- Assist management with technical reports, metrics, and strategies that support compliance with company practices and procedures.
- Independently develop and support documentation, communications, training, process adherence, and continuous improvement activities.
- Assist during emergencies and storm-related activities, including travel to off-site locations, company offices, training facilities, and customer sites when requested.
- Develop high-level solutions for the most complex field area network technical assignments by integrating broad and strategic concepts.
- Travel within the company service territory as required to support field and operational needs.

Qualifications

- Senior level: Associate degree in Engineering Technology or a related discipline plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant job experience, or a high school diploma/GED plus 8–10 years of related work experience.
- Advanced level: Lesser knowledge and experience, such as approximately 4 years of relevant experience, may be considered.
- Related experience should include knowledge of distribution-system installation and maintenance practices, procedures, work methods, materials, equipment, and tools used to determine resources needed for equipment-support activities.
- Working knowledge of the purpose, function, and operating characteristics of AMI network equipment and systems, including routers, range extenders, direct-connect meters, cellular boosters, and third-party cellular coverage, along with the ability to learn applicable installation methods, maintenance and service practices, standards, and procedures.
- Understanding of the Company's Accident Prevention Handbook and the ability to apply its requirements to workplace safety.
- Proficient PC skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with the ability to learn SAP, GIS, Customer Request Work Scheduling (CREWS), and the Outage Management System (OMS).
- Strong professional, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team and collaborative decision-making environment.
- Ability to evaluate solutions and make decisions based on knowledge of work practices and consultation, with minimal supervision.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivated and able to manage multiple competing priorities while providing quality service to internal and external customers.
- A questioning attitude and commitment to continuous learning, delivering results, and strengthening working relationships.
- Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle for travel to facilities and other work locations as required.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team