Purpose

Under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer, has management responsibility for Energy Management Systems, Real-Time Engineering, EIM Operations, Power System Operations, Power System Operations Training, Transmission Planning, System Protection & Control, and Scheduling & Interchange. Accountable for developing short-term and long-term system plans for SMUD’s transmission grid to meet load serving capability and reliability requirements. Provides management guidance and technical expertise and oversight for staff, resources, and projects related to real-time system operations and engineering to ensure the safe, reliable, secure, and compliant operation, control, and monitoring of SMUD’s generation, transmission and gas pipeline systems. Manages the contracted operations for the Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC) in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Reliability Standards, as well as BANC’s operation as a California ISO Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) entity.

Nature and Scope

This position provides leadership for the development and management of the Transmission Planning & Operations Department. The incumbent must be a strong leader and visionary providing direction in strategic initiatives, operations, services and enterprise-wide projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages, organizes, oversees, and coordinates a united approach to the operations and functions of Energy Management Systems, Real-Time Engineering, EIM Operations, Power System Operations, Power System Operations Training, Transmission Planning, System Protection & Control, and Scheduling & Interchange.
• Promotes the safety of SMUD employees, contractor staff, and customers through adherence to established SMUD policies and goals, development of specific goals for the work segment, and monitoring and responding to safety concerns.
• Manages, oversees, supports, and coordinates reporting managers in transmission planning & operations with other SMUD departments, external entities internal to the SMUD transmission system and BANC Balancing Authority, as well as with interfacing transmission operators and balancing authorities, to meet load requirements and energy delivery schedules on a continuous 24 hours per day, 7 days per week basis.
• Employs prudent utility practices and provides leadership to interpret, implement and comply with all mandated NERC and WECC Reliability Standards, regulatory requirements, and policies.
• Coordinates active participation by the appropriate units in the NERC and WECC Reliability Standards Development Process.
• Advocates SMUD interests and strategic goals during interactions with external entities and regulatory agencies to align with SMUD and BANC Balancing Authority operation and interconnection requirements; promotes electric grid reliability; influences related industry benchmarks and competitiveness.
• Participates in and provides input to the transmission planning and design review process to prevent implementation of unsafe, inoperable, or inefficient system designs.
• Evaluates proposals, plans and conclusions of other divisions, departments, agencies, and Balancing Authority entities to protect the safe, reliable, secure and compliant operation of the present and future bulk power system.
• Effectively develops and manages applicable unit budgets, costs, contracts, and projects related to department, SMUD, and BANC strategic goals and requirements.
• Proactively anticipates and effectively resolves multiple, diverse, and complex problems and issues occurring simultaneously; evaluates and delivers effective decisions and solutions regarding operational issues, often in real time and without entirely established or defined answers to critical criteria.
• 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 or related discipline.

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant combined work experience in transmission operations, transmission planning, Balanced Authority; direct supervisory experience over personnel that support or operate a Balancing Authority Area and Transmission Operations Area; real-time decision-making capability; and progressively increasing skill and experience in managing an O&M and Capital budget of greater than $35M.

Knowledge Of

Fundamentals of generation, transmission, and high voltage substation system design, construction, operations, and maintenance; practices related to managing the bulk electric system to contractual requirements; current utility industry structure and applicable federal, regional, state, and local codes, regulations and mandated FERC, NERC, and WECC Reliability Standards, practices, and policies; organization of and procedures for interacting with local, state, and national authorities, agencies and regulatory bodies; the Western United States transmission and generation system; fundamentals and practices of electrical transmission and gas pipeline system planning, design, protection, maintenance, testing, and operations; electrical equipment ratings and limitation; system operating procedures, concepts and techniques; load flow and stability calculations; electrical theory; computer-based metering data acquisition and translation systems; safety and construction practices, standards, and applicable codes; fundamentals of effective management and leadership; methods and concepts related to teamwork and staff training; fundamentals and practices for budget administration and contract management.

Skills To

Lead, plan, manage, and review the work of multi-disciplinary professional technical and represented personnel in the performance of complex engineering and operating assignments under significant time constraints; interpret and apply SMUD policies, procedures, applicable IBEW MOUs, and/or other special agreements; apply relevant personnel laws, codes and regulations; initiate, maintain and oversee adherence to safety policies and procedures; interview, select, evaluate, coach, mentor, motivate, influence, stretch and develop staff; identify training needs for staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally; effectively communicate highly technical information and recommendations to a variety of audiences and explain complex or controversial policies, regulations, procedures, and activities, both internally and externally and orally or in writing; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; establish and effectively manage O&M and Capital budget of greater than $35M; effectively oversee the planning and prioritization of projects, and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders on projects; support the reliable integration of intermittent resources into SMUD’s bulk electric system and the BANC; respond quickly and effectively to changing priorities; proactively anticipate problems and apply innovative, creative, logical techniques in their resolution.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering
• NERC Certified RC Operator certification
• Professional Engineering License in Electrical Engineering with the State of California
• California or Western Energy Market experience

Physical Requirements