Senior Protection Engineer

To oversee, deliver, advise and manage various operations associated with the electricity transmission and distribution system for Guernsey Electricity. This includes construction, operation and maintenance works associated with the entire electricity supply network and all associated assets owned by the company. The post holder will be responsible for delivering excellent service and be a sound communicator.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for the operation of the Protection sub-function within the Distribution Department.
• Managing and delivering the distribution network protection programme including inspections, defects, monitoring, replacement, and enhancements.
• Acting as a key support to the Engineering Team Lead and the other Senior Engineers including cover during absences.
• Control and carry out High and Medium voltage switching and make safe apparatus for the issue and cancelling of safety documents.
• Monitoring maintenance activities and looking at new processes and technologies including reporting and forecasting for BLT.
• Approve and manage planned and unplanned switching programmes.
• Carry out fault finding, investigation, repairs and modifications to the conveyance and supply systems to ensure reliability of all equipment.
• Contribute to the Company’s business planning.
• Work closely with Distribution, Generation and Assets to ensure that transmission and distribution equipment is specified, maintained, and operated effectively.
• Be aware of and comply with local legislation, specifically related to Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Data Protection.
• Promote high standards of risk assessment and effectively manage risks within distribution work by creating a risk management culture and implementing effective controls into day‑to‑day activities.
• Advise on electrical design schemes for substation replacement and distribution network upgrades.
• Participate in a compulsory formal standby rota.
• High level of Health & Safety responsibility and works within the company’s Health and Safety policies and procedures, also supervises and coaches on‑site staff in Health and Safety matters.
• Communicate with customers, developers, contractors, local authorities, and legal professionals for the purpose of projects, outages, and road works.
• Act as an embedded asset manager for the specific field of work.
• Support the Asset Management Lead.
• Good understanding of distribution protection systems.
• Manage a team, acting as a mentor and inspirational leader that will motivate others and contribute to the development of the team.
• Maintain accurate documentation, relay setting files, and commissioning records.
• Demonstrate the core values and behaviours of Guernsey Electricity Limited.
• Provide technical leadership and management for the specification, design, settings, commissioning, assurance, and lifecycle management of protection and control schemes on the distribution network.
• Engaged in the delivery of the Distribution maintenance programme and technical support for operations associated with the electricity networks owned and operated by GEL.
• Advise on the safe, reliable, and continuous availability of electrical plant and machinery on all electricity supply systems.
• Represent the Company in negotiations with members of the public and equipment suppliers.
• Support operational teams during incidents, lead investigations into protection mis‑operations, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure designs meet UK legislation and ENA engineering standards, support integration of new customer and generation connections, and work closely with planning, operations, and field teams to maintain network performance and system resilience.
• Be an Senior Authorised Person and preferably a Control Person for GEL or working towards being a Control Person.
• Be flexible in approach to managing operations and take part in engineering operational activities on HV/LV plant and equipment as required.
• Be part of the Standby Rota system for out of hours work.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Minimum of HNC/HND in electrical and electronics or similar.
• At least 5 years post training experience of the Distribution systems.
• At least 5 years post training experience with Distribution protection systems.
• Demonstrable experience in designing, commissioning, or maintaining protection schemes for 11kV–90kV networks.
• Expertise in setting and configuring protection relays (Siemens, ABB, Schneider, GE, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of UK DNO standards, ENA TS, G99/G100, and statutory regulations.
• Must have a formal safety qualification from a recognised institution e.g. IOSH – Managing Safely or NEBOSH.
• Must be a Distribution Authorised Person (AP) under the GE Safety Rules.
• Preferably a Distribution Control Person (CP), or working towards.
• Self‑motivated to agree and deliver against defined output targets.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and support trainee engineers.
• High level of organisational and planning capability.
• Good business sense and an understanding of contract procedures.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Duty to keep up to date with industry practice and new technologies.
• Current knowledge of the functional structure of Guernsey Electricity, its mission, objectives, strategies, and critical success factors.
• Ability to communicate and manage people effectively; continually improving the performance of indirect reports by providing feedback, mentoring and coaching.
• Project manage major enhancements when required to ensure time and budget targets are met.
• Excellent project management and planning experience.
• Enthusiastic, co‑operative and positive behaviour, with an ability to work independently and results orientated.
• Proficient with computers and software.
• Experience in assessing detailed financial and technical data.

Now is an exciting time to join Guernsey Electricity and you can play a critical role in helping Islanders transition to a more sustainable future.