The Senior Grid Operations Specialist position provides advanced electrical engineering and technical support to control center personnel to ensure reliable and secure operation of the transmission system. This role performs complex power flow, transient stability, and contingency analyses to identify and mitigate transmission constraints during both planned and unplanned outages. Key responsibilities include executing engineering tasks in operational planning and real-time environments utilizing load and generation forecasting. Responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of crucial advanced applications software associated with the Tri-State Energy Management System (EMS). This includes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Automatic Generation Control (AGC) functionality, State Estimator (SE) software and associated network modeling, Contingency Analysis (CA), and the Operator Training Simulator (OTS). Special applications such as the Generation Plant Allocator integration are also in the scope of this position. The Senior Grid Operations Specialist develops and applies engineering-based real-time power system calculations to support operational decisions. This position carries authority and accountability for compliance with all applicable NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and Regional Entity Reliability Standards.
Note: There is one position available, and this position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: Grid Operations Specialist I, job grade 8; Grid Operations Specialist II, job grade 9; Grid Operations Specialist III, job grade 10 or Senior Grid Operations Specialist, job grade 11. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.
Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes : Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.
Senior Grid Operations Specialist
Hiring Salary Range: $122,000-$156,000
Grid Operations Specialist III
Hiring Salary Range: $109,000-$139,000
Grid Operations Specialist II
Hiring Salary Range: $98,000-$124,000
Grid Operations Specialist I
Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000
Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.
Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with electric distribution cooperatives and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to nearly a million electricity consumers across roughly 200,000 square miles of the West.
Founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity, Tri-State is now headquartered in Westminster, Colo., employing approximately 1,000 people across five states.
Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas, hydropower, wind, and solar. This power reaches members via a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and almost 6,000 miles of high voltage transmission lines.
As a member-owned and -governed cooperative, every member has a voice and an equal vote in the future of Tri-State.
Education and Training
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program required.
- Possess NERC Certification or the ability to become NERC Certified within one year.
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
- Knowledge of engineering principles and practices applicable to Transmission System Operations.
- Experience of performing power flow studies using PSSE, PowerWorld and/or PSLF software.
- Basic knowledge of protection systems and protective schemes.
- Fluency in python or other related programming languages.
- Working knowledge of State Estimation theory.
- Working knowledge of real-time power systems applications software including Power Flow, AGC, and SE.
- Working knowledge of client/server systems, personal computers, computer peripherals, computer architecture, computer networks, and Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) equipment.
- Working knowledge of multi-user shared database environments.
- Working knowledge of digital and analog SCADA circuitry, SCADA communications, data links, testing and measuring equipment.
- Working knowledge of contract administration.
- Working knowledge of FERC Order 881, 888 and 889 and the Standards of Conduct.
- Ability to develop a working knowledge of FERC Order 890.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Working knowledge of Tri-State's service area desired.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Extensive knowledge of an interconnected electrical system.
Experience:
- Eight (8) years of progressive electric utility experience. Note: The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior Grid Operations Specialist. Those with less experience will be hired at the I, II or III job grade level.
Other:
- Willingness to travel as required. (Must possess a valid driver's license.)