To perform specialized professional, technical and analytical functions in a variety of operational areas including generation, transmission and contractual resources to ensure the safe, reliable, secure, and compliant operations of the transmission and generation system for SMUD and the BANC Balancing Authority Area in accordance with the FERC approved NERC and WECC Reliability Standards.
Nature and Scope
Serves as a team lead and/or advanced journey level providing expertise in one or more areas of a professional discipline and assumes responsibility for resolving complex problems and overseeing complex projects. May also guide, instruct, or coordinate the work of others on assigned projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, or guides work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines by following established policies and precedents; communicating with team members and incorporating their input to processes and techniques; providing staff guidance and instruction; promoting staff safety and a safe work environment; assisting in orienting new personnel; participating as a team member in accomplishing objectives; and referring problems to supervision where solutions are not readily achievable.
- Maintains system security and reliability and provides for the reliable delivery of power to the load center by monitoring and assessing the adequacy of the bulk power system and other utilities' transmission systems; assessing line loadings, voltage levels and system stability under various operating conditions, system contingencies and planned clearances; conducting and directing studies using power-now simulation; assessing the level of planning and operating reserves to assure adequate compliance with NERC and WECC Reliability Standards; conducting transmission contingency evaluation and power flow studies; conducting and directing transmission system reliability studies; conducting analyses of longer-term strategic resource use; assisting in the planning and selecting of bulk power system additions to SMUD's and other utilities' transmission systems; and providing real-time energy imbalance market (EIM) operations support.
- Assists in the reliable operation of SMUD's bulk power system and the BANC Balancing Authority Area by developing and maintaining a detailed working knowledge on integrated power system operations and FERC, NERC, and WECC policies, procedures and protocols; assessing on a daily and month-ahead basis hydroelectric and thermal generating plant limitation, maintenance, outages, transmission ratings, curtailments and existing contract provisions; and deciding resource availability.
- Establishes system and equipment operating criteria and performance indicators by evaluating the impact of generation and transmission maintenance schedules; evaluating and identifying solutions to power system problems; evaluating resources; and coordinating and conducting power flow simulation studies of SMUD's bulk power system capability.
- Provides instruction and guidance by serving as a primary Power Operations Engineer liaison for transmission and generation issues; serving as a technical resource to Power System Schedulers and Power System Analysts on generation, transmission and reliability-related issues; preparing and maintaining a current Standard Operating Procedure manual for power system operations; representing Power System Operations as a technical expert on operational issues within SMUD and with neighboring NERC Registered entities; supporting the development process for standard practices, procedures and guidelines for operating the bulk power system in compliance with interconnection agreements and reliability requirements; and supporting the development of emergency operating plans and procedures for major contingencies impacting interconnected utilities.
- Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews, and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
- Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.
Required Education
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
Required Experience
- At least five (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in power systems operations and energy markets, OR at least seven (7+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in electrical engineering or transmission system planning with at least two (2+) of those years in power systems operations.
Knowledge Of
Methods and techniques for planning, organizing and overseeing work activities; methods and techniques for guiding and instructing staff; techniques and concepts related to teamwork; techniques for exercising direction and authority; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and practices for negotiating; fundamentals and practices of economic analyses of projects and programs; fundamentals and practices of program evaluation; fundamentals and practices of various analytical approaches; techniques and practices for cost benefit analyses; techniques and practices for problem research and resolution; techniques and practices for resolving complex technical issues; techniques and practices related to negotiations and compromise; complex computer systems and resources, electronic records, database administration; regional energy markets; fundamentals, practices and procedures related to power system operation, advanced power system theory, thermal and hydroelectric generation and load management dispatch; planning and design techniques; fundamentals related to power flow stability and short circuit evaluation, generator unit efficiency and capability characteristics; systems and concepts related to system protection and remedial action schemes/special protection systems; production costing techniques and models; NERC and WECC Reliability Standards; AC/DC transmission systems; energy accounting and processes; EMS operations and associated applications; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.
Skills To
Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally; interact with others to influence and motivate; interpret SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and/or other special agreements, regulations, and requirements; establish and maintain working relationships internally/externally; oversee adherence to safety policies and procedures; assess complex issues and develop/implement resolution alternatives; assess procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; assess situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; appraise situations and people accurately and adopt an effective course of action; identify the potential long-term outcomes of a change in operations; develop an estimation of how a system should work under ideal conditions; evaluate and resolve complex technical issues; interpret, evaluate and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; organize highly complex and conflicting data in a readily understandable manner for various audiences; serve as reference person for other employees; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.
Desirable Education
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited college or university.
- Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of California.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
6201 S St
Sacramento
California United States
www.smud.org
