Substation Relay Technician

About CORE

CORE Electric Cooperative is the largest member-owned electric distribution cooperative in Colorado dedicated to providing reliable, affordable, clean, and safe electric service to our communities. With a commitment to innovation and member satisfaction, we strive to meet the evolving needs of our members while maintaining the highest standards of service excellence.

Job Summary

This position reports to the Substation Manager and is primarily responsible for programming, testing, and commissioning of protection and control systems. The position educates all Substation department classifications regarding protection and control systems programming, testing, and commissioning. Additional responsibilities include the operation, maintenance, and commissioning of substation apparatus including interrupting devices, isolating devices, power transformers, and voltage regulators. Procedures are applied to determine the best course of action within the limits of standard practice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Program, test, and commission protection and control systems following the latest NERC PRC-005 - Protection System, Automatic Reclosing, and Sudden Pressure Relaying Maintenance Standard for the following Protection System Components.

• Protective Relays

• Communications Systems

• Voltage and Current Sensing Devices

• Protection System Station DC Supply

• Control Circuitry Associated with Protective Functions

• Programming, testing, and commissioning of the following protection schemes.

• Feeder overcurrent, under-frequency, and automatic reclosing

• Transformer differential and overcurrent

• High-impedance bus differential

• Breaker failure

• Transmission line directional and distance protection

• Transmission line communications-assisted tripping (POTT, DCB)

• Transmission line current differential (two- and three-terminal)

• Others as required

• Educate all Substation department classifications regarding protection and control systems programming, testing, and commissioning.

• Interpret electrical prints including one-line, three-line, schematic, and wiring diagram drawings for testing, troubleshooting, and modification purposes.

• Informs Substation Working Foreman of daily work progress and problems encountered.

• Conduct and/or participate in Job Briefings on the worksite daily and any time scope or method of work changes.

• Perform vehicle pre-trip inspections and report issues.

• Assists in the training of Substation Technician I (Apprentice).

• Perform testing, maintenance, and commissioning of substation equipment involving routine inspection, repair, and modification or addition as needed.

• Perform switching on substation and transmission line equipment.

• Perform routine maintenance, minor repairs, and adjustments of high voltage circuit breakers, disconnect switches, power transformers, voltage regulators, reclosers, and switchgear breakers.

• Program and repair controls on capacitor banks, voltage regulators, and electronic reclosers.

• Perform testing, maintenance, and commissioning of substation SCADA equipment.

• Maintain a clean, safe environment in all work areas.

• Inform Substation Working Foreman when additional parts need ordered.

• Maintain and equip all substation vehicles and equipment in an orderly manner. Respond to call-out for restoration of service due to substation outage. In addition, is subject to call-out at all hours, including holidays and weekends, in order to restore or maintain electric service to members.

• Perform special service investigations as directed by the Substation Working Foreman.

• Perform other duties as directed.

Minimum Qualifications of Position

• High school diploma or equivalent certificate required.
• Substation Technical Apprenticeship or vocational degree required.
• Six or more years of experience, or equivalent experience/education required.
• Minimum three years relay testing experience.
• A valid Colorado driver's license with satisfactory driving record within CORE standards is required.
• Competent with position-specific software and applications.
• Competent with Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Competent with position specific equipment.
• Competent with general office equipment.

Knowledge and Skills

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
• The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures typically below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as wind and humidity.
• The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as wind and humidity.
• The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
• The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.
• The worker frequently is in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, manholes, small enclosed rooms, small sewage and water line pipes, and other areas which could cause claustrophobia.
• The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.

Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

Application Timeline

The application deadline for this job is estimated to be 11/19/2026. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs, the availability of qualified candidates, and whether the role is filled or not. We encourage qualified candidates to submit their application(s) expediently so as not to miss out on opportunities.

CORE offers a comprehensive benefits package including the following...

• 9/80 work schedule: every other Friday off!

• Nine paid holidays per year

• 160 Hours of accruable PTO per year

• Paid parental leave

• Education and training reimbursement

• Volunteer paid time off

• 100% Cooperative paid benefits, including:

• Defined benefit pension plan

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Short term disability

• Long term disability

• Employee assistance program

• Life insurance

• HSA with employer contribution

• 401(k) with up to 4% match. Immediately 100% vested

• Length of service program

• Free Onsite EV charging stations (at certain locations)

• Onsite micro market (at certain locations)

• Onsite gym with golf simulator and massage chairs (at certain locations)

CORE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• EEO is The Law - click here for more information
• Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled
• We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap or disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with federal law. If you need assistance, please reach out to us at hr@core.coop