Technical Analyst I or II - System OPS

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

Overview

The Technical Analyst II or I – System OPS is tasked with providing analysis, performing studies and data analysis in support of System Operations in identifying uncertainty risk for SPP in meeting its BA obligations. This analyst additionally coordinates these analyses and studies, as appropriate for both intra day and forward looking horizons in support of the Reliability, RUC and Balancing functions. This analyst position will also provide coordination support for the necessary SPP organization committees, working groups and task forces as appropriate.

This position independently performs assignments with minimal guidance from the Manager.

. Essential Functions

• Provide support and analysis for all assigned Coordinated Operations related functions.
• Assist the Manager, System Operations or other OPS managers with any special projects.
• Assist in special operations projects.
• Provide contributions to NERC, WECC, and SPP committees, subcommittees, working groups and task forces. Take on leadership roles as necessary.
• Be able to independently request and collect information, prepare and validate data, and execute risk assesments for real-time, current-day, next-day, and other operational assessments of SPP ability to meet obligation.
• Be proficient in understanding of tariff and market rules as appropriate.
• Recommend tariff and market rule changes as appropriate to ensure SPP has appropriate information data to address uncertainty, forecasting to ensure adequate capacity available to meet BA obligation.
• Make recommendations to management and other Operations functions on actions necessary to maintain adequate resource availability and capacity online to meet projected obligations.
• Develop processes, algorithms and approaches to manage forecasting uncertainties. Lead in the development, maintenance, and support of Operations related applications and processes.
• Perform market studies to determine the markets assessment of available capacity and generation resources that can be considered for commitment.
• Perform post-mortem analysis to benchmark results of analyses, recommend and implement modifications to the process for continuous improvement.
• Be fully proficient in understanding of compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures.
• Be fully proficient in understanding of compliance with NERC and FERC standards and/or policies.
• Be active in mentoring and training SPP Operators

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in mathematics, engineering or other related field

Experience Requirements:

• Technical Analyst II - Two (2) years job related experience
• Technical Analyst I - No experience required

Other Requirements:

• In addition to being fluent in English, excellent oral and written communication skills are required
• Effectively communicate with Operators, SPP stakeholders, and senior management
• Strong inter-personal and team work skills
• Documented experience in power system engineering, operations engineering, transmission planning or related disciplines
• The position requires a person who is focused on continuous improvement, efficiency, and collaboration and who holds to the SPP Core Values of challenge, accountability, balance, diversity, expertise, flexibility, integrity, loyalty, respect, transparency, and trust
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
• Availability for after-hours callout, and for on-call

Preferred:

• Electric Utility Industry experience
• An emphasis on power system analysis and electric utility operations is preferred
• An advanced degree
• NERC Certification

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.
• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

• This position requires minimal (0-20%) travel

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications and if after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email.

Southwest Power Pool is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer. SPP adheres to the ADA and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)