Moore, Oklahoma
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Denver , Colorado
Alexandria, Virginia
Posted: 08-Jan-25
Location: Moore, Oklahoma
Type: Full Time
Salary: $87,097 to $184,440
Preferred Education:
Internal Number: 291231
Applications will be accepted through January 22, 2025 - Apply on-line at www.wfec.com
*At the option of the hiring official, a candidate will be placed in one of the following Transmission Planning & Reliability Engineer levels: Planning & Reliability Engineer I, Planning & Reliability Engineer II, Planning & Reliability Engineer III, or Senior Planning & Reliability Engineer level based on the applicant's education and experience, see the Qualifications section for additional requirements.
SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Transmission & Distribution Planning, the Transmission Planning & Reliability Engineer develops long-range transmission plans in compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Planning Standards and performs system studies to determine the feasibility of generation interconnections (GIs), planned transmission upgrades, and generation additions. In compliance with all regulatory planning orders, standards, and guidelines including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), NERC, and Southwest Power Pool (SPP), incumbent will also ensure reliable system operations under various operating scenarios, by performing WFEC transmission system planning including load/zone, and baseline reliability planning. Incumbent also serves as a point of contact and subject matter expert, on technical issues pertaining to NERC Reliability Standards, and mandatory local, state, federal, FERC, and SPP regulations. As such, incumbent compiles data and documentation, develops models, studies, plans, engineer drawings, and disseminates information and technical expertise to support the planning of reliable, low-cost electricity transmission for WFEC's member cooperatives. Incumbent may be required to travel to interface with load-serving and generation entities, regulatory agencies, regional reliability councils, as well as other transmission providers, as needed to obtain necessary inputs into the planning process.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Include the following: other duties may be assigned. Assists WFEC Engineering Department in the performance and technical application needed to meet compliance regulations. Also assists the Compliance Team to ensure that its activities are compliant with SPP processes, FERC orders, NERC standards, and NERC specifications. Coordinates, analyzes, and fulfills requests for various operational and facilities data submittals and reports to regional organizations, other utilities and management to ensure timely and accurate responses; compliance with all regulatory requirements; and support of transmission business functions. (e.g. WFEC workbook, FERC 715, IFSs, DISISs, generation interconnect agreements (GIAs), notifications to connect (NTCs). Attends face-to-face meetings located in and out of state as relevant or assigned. Involved with dynamic studies and reports to identify and justify needed transmission facilities in support of capital improvement project budgets and documentation including preliminary engineering, design, and construction plans of transmission and substation facilities. Completes economic analyses to evaluate transmission or distribution upgrades and expansion alternatives. Conducts system planning studies that examine system conditions under normal and contingency scenarios to determine any potential system operating limit (SOL) violations. Develops company work plans (both long range and construction) to ensure the ability to continue the supply of quality power to our customers. These work plans will include necessary additions and upgrades to the WFEC transmission system to meet regional reliability needs defined by SPP as well as WFEC's own reliability criteria as defined by our board. Provide project justifications to be included in submittals to Rural Utilities Services (RUS) seeking their approval. Creates and maintains system data that is used by PSSE, Milsoft, ASPEN, and other software tools used for system studies. Provides updates to SPP modeling database as the WFEC system changes. Responds to customer requests for the feasibility of increasing their power consumption. Provides budget estimates for all projects being considered or planned over the budget horizon. Attends meetings and conferences and performs research as necessary to keep informed of technical development in the power transmission industry. Works with others inside and outside of WFEC to reach consensus on transmission upgrades, additions, SPP generation interconnections, and service requests. Issues engineering documents to communicate planning studies and conclusions. Writes technical reports, user manuals, processes and guidelines.
COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Analysis / Design: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses experience to complement data; designs work flows and procedures; generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into images; uses feedback to modify designs; applies design principles; demonstrates attention to detail.
Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Professional Knowledge: Generates creative solutions; translates concepts and information into applications; uses feedback to modify recommendations; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
Oral and Written Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.
Project Management: Develops project plans; coordinates projects effectively; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.
Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected outcomes.
Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments to customers.
Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors required.
Education Experience:
Transmission Planning & Reliability Engineer I ($87,097 - $135,089) - Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Entry level electrical engineer who assists higher classifications or more experienced engineers in work pertaining to long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Assists with technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling, as well as transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Develops positive communication and productive relationships with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperatives and WFEC management.
Transmission Planning & Reliability Engineer II ($96,064 - $150,571) - Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of qualifying engineering experience in an electric utility environment. Develops long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Serves as point of contact for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Assists transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Develops and maintains positive communication and productive relationships with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperatives and WFEC management.
Transmission Planning & Reliability Engineer III ($105,442 - $167,018) - Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and five (5) years of qualifying experience, of which three (3) years must be engineering experience in an electrical utility environment. Develops long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Serves as point of contact for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Assists transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Develops and maintains positive communication and productive relationships with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperatives and WFEC management.
Senior Transmission Planning & Reliability Engineer ($115,218 - $184,440) - Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and eight (8) years of professional engineering experience, of which three (3) years must be engineering experience in an electric utility environment and certification as a Professional Engineer (P.E.). Top technical engineering position without supervisory responsibility. Provides professional engineering support in development of long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Serves as subject matter expert for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Performs transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Functions as a staff specialist in application of advanced theories, concepts, principles and processes. Serves as the technical expert on engineering planning and reliability matters, assisting other individuals and departments in the accomplishment of their duties.
Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations, as well as respond to questions with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperative and WFEC management.
Math Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, calculus and differential equations. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills: Knowledge of computer programming. Experience with PSS/E, Milsoft, and/or ASPEN a plus. Proficient at operating personal computers using Microsoft Office Suite.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: This position requires a current driver's license. Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification preferred. Professional engineer (P.E.) certification is required for employment at the Senior Level.
WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS: This position may require a work schedule in excess of 40 hours a week and travel on short notice. WFEC has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable service to its members, the ability to work additional hours at any time of the day or week is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel and reach with hands and arms; to move about the facility; and may be required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. Vision and hearing must be normal or corrected to normal.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to occasional risk of electrical shock and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. In accordance with WFEC Administrative Procedure 805-Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace this position is classified as "safety sensitive".
MUST MEET ALL PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WFEC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER
MINORITIES, FEMALES, DISABILITY, AND
VETS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
EOE/AA/M/F/DISABILITY/VETS