Job Title: Summer Engineer Intern

Internship Dates: May 20th - August 16th

Reporting Relationship: Chief Information Officer

Office Locations: McLouth & Topeka, Kansas

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Hourly Wage: $19.00

Who We Are:

FreeState is the largest rural electric cooperative in Eastern Kansas, with more than 15,000 member-owners. It functions as a democratic, not-for-profit organization. We are controlled by our members who actively participate in setting cooperative policy and making decisions in the best interest of the cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our profits are returned to our members as capital credits.

FreeState is seeking an Engineering Intern for the summer with the potential to continue through the 2024/25 school year.

Primary Accountability:

The Engineer Intern will be responsible for assisting with the design, coordination, overcurrent protection, voltage regulation, load balancing, planning, and troubleshooting of the Cooperative's electric power distribution and transmission system.

Essential Duties:

• Assists the Cooperative with ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable transmission, distribution, and substation design for new construction and modifications to existing facilities.
• Assists Electrical Engineers with maintaining acceptable distribution system voltages and load balancing through assessment, system improvements, and the application of voltage regulators, capacitors, and reactors as necessary.
• Collaborates with Electrical Engineers to conduct system planning studies including load projections and modeling of the distribution system through power flow software analysis.
• Assists the engineering staff with collecting and analyzing field data. Participates in formulating and enforcing policies, standards and specifications.
• Interprets plans, blueprints, safety orders, and government rules and regulations related to planning and engineering activities.
• Assists with Power Quality investigations.
• Assists with load management and peak shaving generators.
• Assists with Distributive Generation processes and analysis.
• Assists with the development and maintenance of transmission and distribution construction standards and specifications.
• Assists with Work Order Inspections to ensure the construction of work orders complies with construction standards and specifications.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by Management.

Qualifications:

• Full-time student pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology is required. Pursuing a degree in electrical engineering is preferred. Student must have completed at least one (1) year of college.
• Experience with the following computer applications is preferred, but not required:
  • AutoCad
  • Milsoft Windmil (or other power flow analysis software)
  • Communication Software (AcSELerator, ProVIEW, Serial/Ethernet Port connection, etc.)
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Intermediate knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, etc.).
• Desire to learn about all aspects of electrical power distribution including but not limited to substations, transmission lines, analysis equipment, metering, communications, SCADA, etc.
• Desire to develop a working knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC), National Electric Code (NEC), and RUS construction specifications and procedures.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Demonstrates effective communication to provide proactive customer service and follow-up skills while maintaining a professional relationship with members and staff.

Physical Demands:

• Consistently sits for extended periods of time. Occasionally stands, walks, bends, stoops, squats, lifts, unpacks, and moves up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to perform finger and hand manipulation and perform repetitive motions in order to use a computer keyboard and telephone, as well as other office equipment.
• Ability to read computer screens, mail and talk on the phone.
• Must be able to walk a mile over uneven terrain.

Work Environment:

• Professional and deadline-oriented environment involving both indoor and outdoor activities.
• May be exposed to outside weather conditions such as extreme cold/heat.
• Regular, reliable attendance is required.
• Interaction with staff, vendors, and members.
• Under supervision of engineering staff, as assigned.

How to Apply:

• If you would like to apply for this position, please visit https://freestate.coop/jobs to complete an Application for Employment.

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required.

FreeState is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.