Technical Support Engineer

78885 - Technical Support Engineer

This Technical Support Engineer will report to the General Enquiries & Smart Metering Manager and will work within Network Operations based in our Maidstone office. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary of 51,245 per annum (Dependant on experience) and a bonus of 3%.

Close Date: 2nd May 2024.

We also provide the following additional benefits

• Annual Leave
• Personal Pension Plan - Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit scheme
• Tax efficient benefits: cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On - scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers products.
• Discounted access to sports and social clubs
• Employee Assistance Programme.

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide Technical Support and advice to the Schedulers and Business Support staff within the General Enquiries & Smart Metering Department at Maidstone. This will include all technical matters associated with UK Power Networks' Distribution Network with a focus on General Enquiries (Small Works) jobs including, Disconnections, Cut-out changes and Service Replacements. Liaison with internal and external customers plus partners from local government and the wider business community will form an important part of the role.

DIMENSIONS:

• Check and authorisation of jobs electronically following the Putting People to Work policy
• Check work programmes and utilisation of field teams
• Coach staff in Distribution Network Awareness including site visits
• Participation in weekly operational conference calls with local Area representatives
• Liaison with contractors, Powercare and DCD internals team
• Attend business related meetings representing the department
• Financial control of associated activities within budget giving attention to achievement reporting and unit cost control of LV activities
• Produce Risk Assessments and Method Statements
• Undertake all aspects of safety management including office inspections and behavioural exchanges
• Produce designs for jobs following site visits.
• Liaise with customers providing follow up advice
• Work with the Scheduling team to ensure prioritisation of works
• Provide Technical Support to the scheduling team
• Work with Field Staff Supervisors / Small Works Engineers to maximise efficiency of direct staff
• Manage own workload
• Carry out operational standby duties

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• To safely schedule staff (direct and contractors) in the Region.
• Achieve full utilisation of the resources and updating scheduling tools or any new scheduling systems.
• Operate work management tools (NETMAP), (SAP) and PC systems to assist with the issuing and completion of work.
• Provide regular feedback to the Field Engineers and Field Staff Supervisors.
• Take and resolve telephone queries from internal and external customers.
• Liaise with other Directorates to ensure working at the Regional Office.
• Help investigate customer complaints.
• Record and co-ordinate Electricity Guaranteed Standards.
• Record annual leave and other absence.
• Liaison with Local Authorities regarding NRSWA and Section 74 issues.
• Liaise with contactors to ensure compliance with section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act.
• To work as a team with other Delivery & Business Services Administrators, Field Staff Supervisors and Field Engineers to ensure staff are scheduled and utilised.
• Ensure compliance with procedures.
• Carry out a storm role during emergencies.

Qualifications:

• BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or higher.
• Asolid understanding of Overhead and Underground Low Voltage field activities is essential.
• Knowledge of the important elements of NRSWA the UKPN Streetworks activity.
• Previous operational experience on the Distribution Network, e.g. LV/HV Authorisation and working knowledge of the Distribution Safety Rules. In particular, the Identification of LV and HV underground cables.
• Work as part of a team.
• Organise own workload and that of the field staff.
• An understanding of basic financial procedures including Income and Cost Analysis plus Budget preparation and monitoring.
• Good level PC literacy, and use a variety of systems.
• Team working - The ability to work co-operatively with others to achieve shared goals and improve the contribution of all members of the team.
• Flexible attitude to work and working hours.
• Work with other staff and other teams within UK Power Networks and external partners.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

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We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.