Description

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 and transparent 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 bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.
• Senior Seams and AFC Specialist Salary range: $97,580 - $126,795

Overview

The Specialist for Seams & AFC Support is a highly motivated and driven individual that desires to work on a team that is instrumental to maintaining reliability and advancements on the world's largest machine, the Bulk Electric System (BES). As the industry looks for new and exciting ways to combine the advantages of renewables, while maintaining the reliability our members have come to rely on, it will require skilled individuals to achieve these goals.

The Senior Seams & AFC Support Specialist is responsible for supporting the reliable and efficient operation of the bulk electric system by managing real-time transmission issues at organizational seams (interconnections with neighboring regions) and maintaining the Available Flowgate Capability (AFC) process. This role serves as a technical subject matter expert, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external reliability organizations across North America to ensure accurate transmission modeling, data integrity, compliance with regulatory requirements, and continuous process improvement.

The Senior Specialist applies advanced technical expertise to perform complex power system analysis, develop and maintain transmission models, validate critical operational and settlement data, and improve tools and processes that support secure and reliable grid operations. Success in this role requires independent judgment, technical leadership, and a commitment to operational excellence with minimal supervision.

Core Responsibilities

Concepts and Tools:

• The specialist should be proficient or have the ability to become proficient with Request Management System (RMS)/Saleforce. The team completes hundreds of RMS tickets each year for request relating to items such as: market-to-market and UFMP. The specialist must ensure that they are handled appropriately.
• Develops a high level of familiarity with the most relevant Operations tools, acquires proficiency with necessary tools related to complex Operational processes, and is able to support junior team members in this area of development

Judgement and Responsibilities:

• The team has three SOC 1 controls that it is responsible for and it is expected of the specialist to ensure that the team is in compliance with the controls
• Create and administer gap analysis performed in conjunction with the compliance department of new FERC Orders, revised NERC Standards, and revised NAESB Business Practices as required
• Responsible for developing complex Operational processes/procedures and able to take lead roles in Operational processes. Also assists in development and/or enhancement of general Operations process/procedure assignments and applicable tools
• Responsible for the compilation and/or development of documentation necessary to meet compliance and in preparation of compliance audits or filings with all personnel as required
• Exhibit and continue developing high level understanding of key Operations system concepts including power system and associated transmissions system issues and concerns
• Has the ability to design and develop necessary internal controls used in Operations Engineering
• Analyzes, reports, and suggests methods to mitigate results identified in analysis. Develops and/or coordinate data request responses, when necessary
• Help staff perform, analyze, and maintain metrics for short term system impact studies

Governing Processes:

• Demonstrates appropriate understanding of SPP governing documents in both the Eastern and Western interconnect (SPP OATT, UFMP, Integrated Marketplace Protocols, etc.) with related policies and procedures
• Understands the SPP OATT and related policies and procedures and provide recommendations regarding business activities and requirements necessary for compliance with the SPP OATT
• Develop and maintain up-to-date Operations Engineering procedures that facilitate compliance with all applicable governing criteria, standards, tariffs, protocols, business practices, and regulations

Stakeholder Relationships:

• Performs secretarial duties of the assigned organizational working groups, which includes the preparation and distribution of a meeting notices, agendas, background material for activities requiring approval, presentation materials, and meeting minutes
• Responsible for coordinating and facilitating meetings. Such as market-to-market, after-the-fact reviews with MISO
• Develops and/or coordinates data request responses with SPP and other neighboring RTO staff in both the Eastern and Western interconnection, when necessary

Teamwork and Leadership Skills:

• Applies advanced teamwork and resource delegation skills to support and facilitate Operations processes in a team environment. Able to support the analytical coordination of stakeholder-driven processes and provide support to junior team members in basic tasks to accomplish assignments
• Provide strong project management skills from project concept through implementation and completion

SPP Culture and Core Values:

• Understand, comply, promote SPP culture, Core values, Mission, Culture Drivers, as well as adhere to code of conduct, confidentiality requirements, Policies, Procedures, and apply that to analytical assignments and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, Business or related degree: four (4) years of relevant job-related experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement
• 6 years job-related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in analyzing and evaluating markets behavior, and process modeling and improvement
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, FERC Orders, NAESB Business Practices, SPP Criteria, Market Protocols, SPP OATT and SPP Business Practices
• Knowledgeable about and conversant with tools such as the Open Access Same-time Information System, OATI and scheduling systems

Other Requirements

• Strong inter-personal and team work skills and the ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
• Flexibility and ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Competent working skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Project and Access
• Motivated to take appropriate expedited action when required
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management. Occasional extended or nonstandard hours may be required.

Travel Requirement

This position requires moderate travel (020%).

Southwest Power Pool is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, Southwest Power Pool makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

 At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Requirements