Job Number: J0926-0801
Job Title: Protection and Control Specialist
Department: Hydro Operations
Is this position unionized? Yes
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Vacancy Type: New
City, Province: Kingston, Ontario
Job Category: Trades
Open Positions: 1
Posting Date: September 30, 2026
Closing Date: October 21, 2026
Salary: $42.58 - $53.32/Hour
As Ontario's only multi-utility provider, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including water, wastewater, natural gas, electricity, and telecommunications - all under one roof. This integrated approach empowers us to deliver innovative solutions, exceptional customer service, and operational efficiencies that set us apart in the industry.
With over 150 years of commitment to the Kingston community, we work every day to provide the safe, reliable utility services our customers rely on. Our efforts go beyond keeping the lights on and the water flowing. We’re driving progress through projects that create lasting, positive change. At the heart of everything we do is our vision to advance our unique utility model to benefit our customers and build better communities.
At Utilities Kingston, we believe that strong communities are built by strong teams. By joining us, you'll be part of a collaborative and dynamic environment where your skills and ideas will contribute to enhancing safety, driving reliability, and building a resilient future for our community.
Primary Duties
The Protection and Control Specialist is responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of electrical power systems by assisting with the design, configuration, testing, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting of protection and control systems. The role focuses on relays, control schemes, SCADA interfaces, metering, communication systems, and related station and field equipment used to detect, isolate, and respond to faults and abnormal system conditions. Working closely with engineers, operations staff, contractors, and external stakeholders, the Specialist helps maintain system integrity, improve reliability, and support capital and maintenance programs.
Major Responsibilities:
- Support the design, review, implementation, and maintenance of protection and control schemes for distribution and/or transmission stations, feeders, transformers, breakers, capacitor banks, and related apparatus.
- Install, program, test, commission, verify, calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot protective relays, control panels, RTUs, meters, annunciation systems, and communication interfaces.
- Monitor system performance, analyze event data, investigate abnormal operations, protection trips, alarms, and equipment failures, and recommend or implement corrective actions.
- Assist with relay settings management, logic verification, database updates, and documentation control to ensure configuration accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
- Perform functional testing of protection and control circuits, including wiring checks, point-to-point verification, interlocking, polarities, SCADA indication/control, and end-to-end testing where required.
- Provide technical support for station upgrades, capital projects, maintenance outages, and emergency restoration activities.
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation such as test records, commissioning reports, drawings markups, equipment histories, deficiency lists, and operating notes.
- Coordinate field work with operations, engineering, SCADA group, contractors, and vendors to ensure work is completed safely, on schedule, and to approved standards.
- Assist in evaluating equipment condition, identifying system risks, and recommending improvements to reliability, maintainability, and asset performance.
- Use specialized test equipment and software tools to analyze relay performance, communication status, event records, phasors, oscillography, and sequence of events data.
- Maintain calibration of all test equipment.
- Participate in planned and corrective maintenance programs for protection, control, metering, and station automation equipment.
- Support compliance with utility procedures, regulatory requirements, and industry practices related to electrical safety, protection systems, and system operations.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, standardization efforts, and lessons learned following system events or project closeout.
Education, Certification and Other Qualifications Required
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Sound understanding of electrical power system fundamentals, including fault current, grounding, coordination, switching, and equipment protection principles.
- Familiarity with relay technologies and protection applications for feeders, transformers, buses, lines, breakers, Distributed Generation and motors where applicable.
- Ability to read, interpret, and update technical drawings, standards, procedures, and manufacturer manuals.
- Proficiency with test instruments and software used for relay testing, calibration, commissioning, and diagnostics.
- Working knowledge of SCADA, RTU configuration, communication protocols, and station control systems is an asset.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and contribute effectively within a team environment.
- Commitment to safety, attention to detail, and adherence to procedures, standards, and safe work practices.
- Knowledge of electrical drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, and protection one-line diagrams.
- Knowledge of Ontario Electrical Safety Code, O. Reg. 22/04 and ESA Requirements is considered an asset
- Advanced knowledge of the Utilities Work Protection Code, EUSR rules and other safety related regulations is considered an asset
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology, or a closely related discipline.
- 3 to 5 years’ relevant experience in electrical utility, industrial power systems, substations, or protection and control environments.
- Experience with protective relays, control circuits, metering systems, station automation, or SCADA systems is strongly preferred.
- Experience with SEL relays, SEL AcSELerator QuickSet software and Omicron Relay Test Set is considered an asset.
- Experience with AutoCAD and Microsoft Applications (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.) is considered an asset
- Eligibility for or completion of certification with a recognized technologist association (for example, CET or equivalent) is considered an asset.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to stations, field locations, or project sites as required.
Special Working Conditions/Conditions of Employment
- Maintain a valid Class “G” driver’s license throughout employment
- A Criminal Record Check, to the satisfaction of Utilities Kingston, will be required at the successful candidate’s expense
- This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties which may be assigned from time to time.
- This position is an on site position, located in Kingston, Ontario
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position.
Appropriate accommodations will be provided as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) upon request.
Utilities Kingston is committed to employment equity and we encourage applications from all designated group members. Our goal is a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the Kingston community.
Utilities Kingston thanks all candidate that apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
