Planner II

K&A Engineering Consulting – is a privately held company, providing comprehensive consulting, engineering and design, program/project management, construction management, and support services to power utility and industrial clients. Specializing in substation, transmission, distribution, distributed energy resources, and EPC services, we excel in solving complex challenges with precision-driven solutions. We pride ourselves on employing top talent, fostering a culture of excellence, and building meaningful relationships with clients and employees.

Powered By Innovation, Passion, And Purpose.

Start your K&A Career:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Planner II to join our team at K&A Engineering in Garner, NC. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects that make a real impact in the energy and utility sectors. You’ll be part of a dynamic, people-focused team where your expertise, ideas, and contributions will be valued and celebrated.

Role Expectations:

• The Planner develops comprehensive work packages that include: Scope of work definition, Accurate labor hour estimates, Required skill sets, Construction and maintenance procedures, Special tools and mobile equipment needs, Special material, parts, or vendor support requirements, Safety, environmental, and special PPE requirements, DOT and environmental permit coordination, Job duration estimates for scheduling, Sketches, photos, drawings, and documentation, Material readiness aligned with required CMI dates
• Review equipment maintenance and performance history to identify special requirements
• Identify opportunities to bundle maintenance work and capital projects for efficiency
• Develop construction sequences with a strong emphasis on substation constructability
• Monitor work progress and variances between estimated vs. actual job hours
• Document variances and drive continuous improvement opportunities
• Communicate critical and near-overdue work status to avoid operational risk
• Coordinate with Construction, Project Management, Grid Management, Energy Services, ECC/TCC/DCC, and external stakeholders
• Assist with clearance coordination and re-sequencing during load or customer constraints
• Support emergency planning, hotline tag requests, and clearance requests
• Participate in project planning, scoping, pre-bid, and pre-construction meetings
• Clarify project scope and identify obstacles and clearance requirements
• Assign and allocate construction resources
• Produce construction estimates for duration, labor hours, and required resources
• Ensure accurate and complete NERC-related documentation when required
• Maintain accurate documentation and completed work package records where applicable
• Travel to job sites for walkdowns, audits, and validation of work packages
• Ensure materials, tools, and special equipment availability
• Obtain feedback from schedulers, supervisors, and crews
• Address work package quality issues to improve future planning accuracy

What we’re looking for:

• Associate’s Degree and 5 years of related experience OR High School Diploma/GED and 7 years of related experience
• Experience with work management and scheduling systems such as: Passport, MS Project, MAXIMO, SLATE, TITUS, ITOA, P6, Adobe, PaperPort, MS Office
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Substation construction and maintenance
  • Apparatus, relaying, and line work practices
• Ability to develop detailed job plans requiring multiple craft disciplines
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional team environments
• Ability to attend onsite visits and in-person meetings 2+ times per week
• Proficient with laptop or tablet-based software
• Willing and able to participate in storm response support when needed
• Reliable personal transportation required

Pay Range $28-33.89/hour

Why Join K&A?

People-First Culture: We put our people at the center of everything we do, creating an environment where your professional and personal growth is a top priority.

Innovation & Learning: We encourage continuous learning and invest in your development through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Collaborative Team Environment: We believe in the power of collaboration and working together to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and employees.

Recognition & Growth: We’ve earned our reputation through uncompromising precision and a commitment to excellence. As an agile and fast-growing company, we offer plenty of opportunities for your career advancement and growth.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package for eligible classified employees, including but not limited to: