Supervisor, Generation Interconnection - Southwest Power Pool

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

• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come into the office when collaborative in person work is needed.

• Relocation assistance to those that currently live 50 miles away from SPP’s office in Little Rock
• 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 Supervisor will lead a staff of engineers and technical professionals who are directly responsible for the SPP Generation Interconnection studies.  A wide range of skills is required; including the ability to analyze, assess, and give direction from engineering analyses, understanding of and compliance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), and SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) as well as other regulatory requirements, report writing and documentation, and internal and external customer communications. The Supervisor will also act as an SPP spokesman, expert witness, etc. regarding the SPP Generation Interconnection process when called upon to do so.  The Supervisor of Generation Interconnection discusses development plans with their direct reports and manages individual performance through real-time coaching and periodic performance review.

The primary role of the Supervisor, Generation Interconnection is to focus on the scope and schedule of Definitive Interconnection System Impact Studies, Affected System Studies, Interim Studies, Limited Operation Interconnection Studies and Modification Studies, ensuring the process is executed consistent with the requirements of the SPP OATT, applicable Business Practices, internal processes, and joint operating agreements. 

Essential Functions

Management Responsibilities: 

• Hire, develop, and maintain staff of engineers and technical professionals with the skill sets necessary to execute Generation Interconnection Studies processes in compliance with the SPP OATT and other applicable regulatory requirements
• Oversee the scoping, scheduling and execution of Generation Interconnection affected system studies
• Oversee the RTO expansion efforts including GI transition procedures, education about SPP GI studies and working groups, and implementation efforts prior to go-live
• Manage project schedules and staff performance to produce high quality deliverables on time in a dynamic environment
• Oversee the facilitation of meetings between SPP Generator Interconnection staff, SPP Grid Asset Utilization staff, and neighboring systems 
• Perform activities associated with the exchange and posting of applicable data and information, including affected system study reports
• Oversee and maintain information specific to relative queue priority between SPP and its neighbors, affected system study schedules, draft affected system study scope documents and study confirmations, and provide oversight and support for affected system study processes in the GI Advisory Group
• Work across SPP teams and departments to provide recommendations, direction, and guidance in development, enhancement, and implementation of affected system study policies and processes
• Oversee initiatives for automation and the innovation of software/technology change enhancements to increase efficiency and/or accuracy of generator interconnection affected system analysis
• Facilitate the transfer of knowledge to the appropriate Interregional Strategy and/or Generator Interconnection team member(s) through training, mentorship, and/or process documentation for the coordination of affected system study processes
• Develop budgets through coordination and communication of current and forecasted study activities with applicable contracted consultants
• Oversee the development and delivery of customer-facing information related to affected system study coordination within the SPP generator interconnection procedures schedule
• Assist or lead special projects as necessary
• Represent SPP as a staff expert in stakeholder and other forums as necessary
• Communicate effectively with SPP stakeholders/members, non-members, consultants, and other various participants concerning applicable and appropriate activities and events occurring in the Generation Interconnection function.
• Create and implement development plans for each employee to build and enhance skill sets to maximize production.
• Understand, comply with, and enforce, SPP Policies and Procedures
• Conducts regular touch-base meetings with direct reports to discuss development goals, business goals and performance matters
• Provides real-time coaching on performance
• Conducts annual performance reviews

Qualifications 

Education  Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or equivalent discipline from an ABET accredited university

Experience Requirements: 

• Eight (8) years of experience in engineering planning or related field

Required: 

• Strong inter-personal and team building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems

Preferred: 

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited university.
• Experience in project management
• Graduate level degree in related field of study
• Experience in Open Access Transmission Tariff

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 successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Job requires working rotating shift schedules with long hours as needed
• 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 of time; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear in order to exchange accurate information
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate task

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. 

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications. 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)