The simple answer is yes. Electric utilities make for a good career path. If you are considering a career in this field, this article will guide you on the things you should know.
What Are Electric Utilities?
Electric utilities are businesses in the electric power industry that generate and distribute electricity for trade, typically in response to regulated requests.
Basically, an electric power system, which is a collection of physically connected generation, transmission, distribution, communication, and other installations, needs dispatch centres with the ability to buy and sell electricity to maintain and manage the system’s electricity inflow.
Electric utilities help to manage these centres, which means that pursuing a career in electric utilities is a fabulous idea.
Why Should You Be An Electric Utility Manager?
Major businesses in the industry are constantly looking for qualified utility managers. And if you’re one, you get to enjoy many benefits in the corporate world. The job allows you to learn and advance in your qualifications while being rewarded for your hard work.
Other reasons for being one include:
-
High Demand for Electric Utilities Managers
The world is being run on electricity. There is virtually no industry that does not need the power of electricity to thrive, and even though the form of electricity as a power source changes with new innovations in technology, the demand for electric utility managers remains the same.
In fact, it may never fade as long as the world still uses electricity because whether it is oil, gas, coal, petroleum, solar power, wind farms, or any source, everything requires a top-rated electric utilities central manager.
-
Mouth-watering Salary
The average salary an electric utility officer earns in a year is $96, 640. This figure depends on the individual’s level of education, and years of experience, among several other factors—so, the salary can be lower than this or higher, depending on how much work is put into advancing the career.
Being an electric utility manager is a good career choice given that this is significantly better than what is offered in the majority of jobs and that there are additional benefits that are only getting better.
Best Paying Jobs in Electric Utilities
Not only does the electric utilities sector offer a large number of jobs, but it also offers well-paying ones. Workers can quickly develop in their careers and obtain more knowledge thanks to the chance for career advancement.
Investors are drawn to the energy sector by the demand for green energy, which also explains the rise in the wage rate for people working in the industry.
If you have the necessary qualifications, it’s not difficult to find work in the public utilities, and you can begin as an intern before moving up the professional ladder. Your salary will be greater than that in other industries, even as an intern.
Find some of the numerous job openings in the electric utilities sector below and use them as a reference for picking your career path. These positions offer competitive pay and potential for promotion.
The job positions listed below are the best paying jobs you can find as an electric utilities worker. They are:
1. Nuclear Licensing Engineer
These professionals earn about $75,001 to $145,500 annually.
Nuclear licencing engineers are in charge of licencing and regulatory support for nuclear energy plants. They ensure that all systems and equipment are functioning as intended. A nuclear licencing engineer is expected to collaborate with regulatory staff and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to adopt new codes.
2. Utility Supervisor
These professionals earn about $77,000 to $120,000 annually.
Utility supervisors conduct operational audits to ensure that households and businesses receive services at the most affordable price.
This is the main duty of electric utility managers. As a utility supervisor, you manage facilities that offer essential services to citizens in a city, town, or area. This includes water treatment plants, electricity plants, and telecommunications firms.
The utility manager at electric utilities central also oversees the following tasks: managing water, sewage, or electrical systems, ensuring up-to-date infrastructure, examining facilities and fixing them if necessary.
3. Power Engineer
A power engineer earns about $47,000 to $115,500 annually.
Power engineers keep an eye on the utilities and power systems of an industrial or commercial building.
It is very important that a power engineer does not break protocol, as this can cause very severe mishaps and accidents in their line of duty.
Furthermore, a power engineer is in charge of the institution’s entire electrical system, which includes lighting, water treatment, air conditioning, and other power generation machinery.
As a power engineer, you will be expected to interact and work closely with the other engineers in your company to come up with the best way to manage the company’s electrical system.
4. Radiation Engineer
A nuclear engineer earns between $72,500 and $118,500 annually.
The primary duty of a radiation engineer is to conduct experiments to evaluate the effects of radiation in various situations.
The provision of theoretical analysis based on a test they do in an experimental environment is also the responsibility of a radiation or nuclear engineer.
Along with presenting their findings, a radiation engineer may also recommend plans, components, and designs that adhere to the specifications for operating under actual radiation levels.
5. Sub-Station Engineer
A sub-Station engineer earns in the range of $86,000–$115,500 annually.
The task of creating power sub-station design blueprints falls to sub-station engineers.
They consult with stakeholders and other members of the project team to finalise the schematics. Importantly, a career as a substation engineer requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Furthermore, a substation engineer needs to be an expert problem-solver with several years of electrical engineering experience.
6. Water Resources Engineer
Water resources engineers earn about $57,500 to $93 500 annually.
New water plant systems and equipment are constructed under the supervision of a water resources engineer. They are responsible for managing the facility, designing new machinery, and maintaining the many systems that purify and treat the water sources.
Additionally, water resource managers manage the operation of a water resource plant and other natural resources like wells and subterranean springs.
Electric utilities central is one of the most prolific employers in the nation, employing thousands of people each year. A career in electric utilities central is satisfying since you are more likely to find employment possibilities right out of school.
Types of Electric Utilities Central
-
Investor Owned Utilities
IOUs are electricity and natural gas providers whose main reason for participating in electric utilities is to produce a return for investors. They distribute gains to stockholders or reinvest them.
Rates are set and regulated by a public utility commission with some client participation. IOUs buy power through contracts and also enjoy their own generation installations.
They’re the largest type of electric mileage and have a complex blend of customers. Examples are FirstEnergy (Ohio) and Pacific Gas & Electric (California).
-
Public Utility Dispatch Centers
Public utilities are non-profit original government agencies that give service to communities in a way that recovers costs and earns a fresh return to invest in new installations.
They’re managed by locally tagged officers or public workers. Public serviceability can return redundant finances to consumers through reduced rates, community benefactions, and increased operations edge.
Rates are set by the mileage governing body or megacity council. They operate their own generation installations or buy power through contracts. Most public utility dispatch centres are small or mid-sized. Examples are Breckenridge Public Utilities (Minnesota) and Burlington Electric Department (Vermont).
-
Electric co-ops
Electric co-ops are private, non-profit mileage businesses owned by the people they serve. They’re established to give at-cost electric service and are governed by a tagged board of directors.
There are two types of cooperatives namely Distribution and Generation & Transmission (G&T). Distribution cooperatives deliver electricity to their member-owners.
G&T gives non-commercial power to distribution co-ops through their own generation or by copping power on behalf of the distribution members.
Co-ops are established in pastoral areas that do not have an investor-possessed or external mileage hard to supply electric power. Examples include Great Lakes Energy Cooperative (Michigan) and Dixie Power (Utah).
Available Jobs in the Electric Utilities Central Industry
-
Gas Regulators
A key member of the electricity staff is the gas controller. They are in charge of keeping an eye on the effectiveness of the electrical infrastructure, and managing facilities is one of their main duties.
They are tasked with coming up with prompt fixes to any problems that could pose threats in order to prevent unusual occurrences. Gas controllers regularly check the system and are constantly on guard.
They do most of their work in the control room, where they can keep an eye on the systems thanks to the computer programmes.
-
Power Plants Operators
The management of the electricity-generating power plants is the responsibility of power plant operators. Boilers, pumps, turbines, fans, gauges, and controls make up the plant’s system.
They do everything from cleaning to general system maintenance to make sure everything is in great working order. The backbone of the power system is made up of power plant operators who keep the producing system in good shape and ensure its efficiency.
-
Energy Efficiency Engineer
Energy efficiency engineers work on the energy system, as their name suggests. They create plans and offer direction for the technical steps involved in energy conservation.
They frequently work with both private residences and business buildings to enhance energy systems. Their work includes coming up with strategies to reduce gas emissions in this era of renewable energy.
-
Hydroelectric Plant Operator
Because they work in the electricity generation industry, operators of hydroelectric plants are in high demand. Their responsibility is to oversee and manage the operation of the hydroelectric power plants that generate electricity.
They keep an eye on every stage of the process, from the water flowing through the turbines to the electricity leaving the power plants. To get this job, it would be ideal if you had a high school diploma.
Pros of Electric Utilities Central Career
There are a number of advantages to working as an electric utilities central manager.
-
Lots of Experience
For illustration, in most cases, a gas electrician works for a single company and receives full benefits upon resignation. On the other hand, a construction career path in the electric mileage field is generally complex.
In the construction field, you’ll need to secure employment with a company as a construction electrician, as well as work as an independent electrician for several enterprises.
As a result, your career path may actually cross over between jobs with different companies.
-
Job-time Flexibility
Another advantage to working in a mileage career is the flexibility of the position. Mileage work allows a person the capability to elect their own hours and determine their own schedule.
-
It allows for Qualification Expansions
An electric utilities central manager can continue advancing their careers and work at the same time if they like. In fulfilling their responsibilities, managers enjoy a wide range of duties and are generally responsible for overseeing operations for several different companies.
They could oversee billing and client service, or they could oversee operations for shops or transmission. A mileage director could also be responsible for hiring and training workers and keeping up with any changes that might affect their operation.
With the flexibility that comes with being a boss, they can choose to do other things at the same time. This can be a veritably satisfying career path, especially for those whose interests are in other passions.
-
Travelling around
If you love to see new places and enjoy new adventures, this profession may be right for you. The complexities that come with it might see you travelling for days on end to different parts of your country, especially if you are a specialist with high qualifications.
-
Practical Experience
The electric utilities central sector is one that allows you to garner practical experience as you work. As you advance in the field, you will be able to handle new problems with an expert hand without any hassle.
-
Job Stability and High Compensation
Unlike jobs in the private sector, jobs in this industry are stable and come with a more than average salary payoff.
Cons of Working in Electric Utilities Central
Just as there are merits to working in electric utilities central, there are also disadvantages of working in this sector. These drawbacks include:
-
There is always Danger
Electric utilities central employees are never safe from the hazards of the jobs, and they have greater accident risks compared to other people in the public service.
To protect them, the government mandates that electric utilities central workers wear PPE, that is, Personal Protective Equipment. However, while this helps to minimise the danger, it does not protect them from the dangers that come with the job.
-
Excellent Physique
Electrical engineers will find themselves in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. They may be required to kneel, squat, or stand for hours on end.
Without an excellent physique, most people in electric utilities central will not make it as technical professionals. It is one of the reasons why there are few female professionals in the field.
-
Frequent Traveling
One enjoyable task that comes with the job is the opportunity to travel around to different power plants. However, this opportunity can lose all fun when there is a family to take care of, and in most cases, there is one.
Travelling for days might not sit well with your family. Furthermore, if you do not like to travel, this might not be the profession for you.
-
Educational Qualifications are required
At least, you need to have a high school diploma, among other qualifications, to be able to find employment as an electric utility staff. For some specific jobs, a college degree or even more advanced degrees are required, cutting off a lot of people.
Duties and Responsibilities of an Electric Utilities Central Manager
The following are the roles expected of an electric utilities central manager:
- Installs electrical equipment and checks its performance for risks or modifications.
- Makes sure that the proper tools and testing equipment are used. Also, they repair, install, replace, and test electrical circuits.
- Coordinates system repairs. Electric utilities central manager leads, assists, and/or trains other electricians in pertinent techniques.
- Runs and maintains low, medium, and high voltage switchgear and controls. Also, they may fix and keep up variable frequency drives, motor control centres, and programmable sensing controllers.
- Uses computers to control, test, and programme electrical equipment; troubleshoots inspects, and estimates complex electrical systems, reasonably complex relay estimation, adaption, and estimation of complex defensive relays, and power metering for substations and individual services.
- Maps out medium-voltage electrical primary system switching plans and tools.
- Encourages continuous improvement of plant safety and environmental practices; ensures proper care in the use and conservation of equipment and inventories.
- Reads uses and updates wiring schematics, control diagrams, and electrical panel schedules.
- Notifies the Electrical Trades Inspector for Installations Management of any violations of NFPA or UNM standards.
Basically, an electric utilities central manager provides electric serviceability to their domain.
This means that they are tasked with providing their guests with dependable and reasonably priced electricity; this means that customers won’t suffer knockouts, which can jeopardise public safety and lead to financial harm.
The challenge for electric mileage managers is to show and quantify that their long-term expansion plans are, in fact, the lowest cost outcomes.