Electricity Distribution - Network Planner

About Us

Western Power Distribution owns and operates the power distribution network throughout the Midlands, South West and South Wales. The electricity industry is undergoing huge change, and we are helping provide infrastructure that will enable the country to meet its net-zero targets. More than 6,500 employees make up our Company, unified in their ethos to serve our customers.

Just so you know our name is changing. From September 2022, Western Power Distribution will be known as National Grid. We’re changing our name, but our people and focus on providing great service to customers remains unchanged. We’re responsible for keeping the energy flowing to communities across our region for your home or business. As part of National Grid, we’re now the largest electricity transmission and distribution business in the UK at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future.

Western Power is an equal opportunities employer, a Disability Level 1 employer and a corporate signatory of WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) programme. Our desire is to bring in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build further on our inclusive culture. We value and celebrate individual difference and we believe that an inclusive culture will help the business grow as a positive, strong and innovative company

Job Introduction

An opportunity has arisen for a Network Planner based at our Hinckley depot.

Designing the network, our Planners work closely with our Engineers to efficiently and effectively carry out construction, reinforcement, alteration and replacement of our equipment. They’re also trusted by our customers to ensure that we are providing excellent levels of service. 

Being a Planner involves being hands on and taking responsibility for the design, costing and quoting of projects such as new electricity supplies and the replacement/diversion/reinforcement of existing electricity network assets. 

You will need English and Maths GCSE Grade C/Level 4 or above OR Functional Skills Level 2 or above to apply. Evidence of your qualifications will be required prior to appointment.

As part of our hybrid working approach and in line with our policy, this role allows you to apply for a mix of office and home working. Hybrid working can only be considered once your initial training is complete and subject to business need.

*Please note the successful candidate may initially be appointed at a lower salary until all relevant courses and training are complete.

If you are offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.

As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, all applications to Western Power Distribution jobs are automatically anonymised by our recruitment system. This is with the aim of realising our ambition to have a workforce which is reflective of the community we serve and eliminating unconscious bias, allowing employees to be appointed based on their talent, skills and experiences regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

Our hiring managers will have no access to your name, age, gender or other diversity information until after shortlisting has taken place. This detail will become visible before interview to allow managers to prepare.

Main Responsibilities

• To deal with service alteration and new connection enquiries from customers
• To prepare quotations for customers for either service alterations or new connections
• To effectively communicate with customers throughout the process
• Take into consideration the impact of projects on customers, the public and the environment
• To design schemes which are safe and identify and communicate specific safety considerations according to the CDM regulations.
• Use company systems including the MPA iPad mobile planning application, CROWN, EMU, DES, E5 and emails to prepare schemes and commercial reports                  

The Ideal Candidate

Applicants may not necessarily possess all the skills required to carry out the role at present but should have the confidence and ability to reach the necessary standards with training. A flexible attitude is essential as you may be asked to undertake other duties to assist the team in meeting its objectives.

If not already attained you will be required to study for the relevant City & Guilds 2339 Level 2 qualification and complete TAR, which includes daily diary completion and a number of tasks and reports as required.

You will need to be mobile throughout the area as you may be required to undertake standby duties.

About The Company

If this is your opportunity to join us, you’ll find we offer a supportive, rewarding and friendly working environment where you’ll be empowered to build a career. Along the way, you’ll be invested in, be enabled by the latest technology and find that we’re always interested in evolving our systems and processes so that we get even better, every day.

In return, you’ll enjoy a package of benefits designed to reward your hard work and incentivise your ambition. In addition to your competitive salary, we offer a competitive contributory pension scheme where the company will double match your pension contributions up to a maximum company contribution of 10%. You will also have access, subject to eligibility criteria, to join our annual Share Save plan.

You will receive a generous annual leave entitlement on joining, starting at 26 days rising to 28 days following 10 years’ service, plus 8 bank holidays. Protective clothing and Safety Equipment will be provided where required and we offer free parking at all main sites. In addition, you will be able to access support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services.

Additional Application Information

Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, so please do check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.

To enhance your candidate experience, we recommend using Google Chrome to complete your online application. Should you have any questions regarding this or require additional support to complete your online application, please email recruitment@westernpower.co.uk

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.