Program Manager, Reliability Services

In support of our safe and reliable operation and clean energy goals, SMUD is seeking a highly engaged and experienced Program Manager, Reliability Services for providing technical support and engineering oversight to the Balancing Authority (BA) and Transmission Operator (TOP) operations. Under the direction of the Manager of Transmission Planning & Reliability Services, this position has the responsibility for managing the engineering support and compliance oversight to the Bulk Electric System (BES) of SMUD and Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC). This position interacts with SMUD internal departments, BANC members, neighboring utilities, CAISO, Reliability Coordinator (RC) West, Western Power Pool (WPP), and WECC/NERC to provide technical expertise and leadership in BA and TOP operations, provides operational support to new generation and transmission projects from the development of Interconnection Agreement to the testing and commissioning of the projects, oversees operations compliance with FERC/NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and Criteria, as well as provides mentoring and oversight for lower level engineers, for the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of the BES generation and transmission assets for SMUD and BANC.

Purpose

Plans, organizes and directs a variety of tasks on SMUD’s bulk power transmission and the Western Energy Market involving engineering assessment, software, performance, and related budgetary and documentation activities to ensure the efficient and reliable power operations, and to maintain both public and employee safety within SMUD's Transmission Operator Area and the BANC Balancing Authority Area.

Nature and Scope

Assists in the development, implementation and management of department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities in partnership with other managers within Transmission Planning and Operations department; ensures that department strategic objectives and priorities are achieved and coordinated with other departments, and with external entities associated with the SMUD transmission system and BANC balancing authority as well as with interfacing transmission operators and other balancing authorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides operations support and recommendations for real-time system operations; ensures the efficient and reliable operations of SMUD and BANC's transmission and energy systems by planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the operations, repair and restoration of the transmission and energy systems.
• Acts as point of contact for SMUD's and BANC's reliability operations; works closely with SMUD's internal departments, BANC entities, California ISO, and Reliability Coordinator to identify and resolve reliability operations concerns as needed.
• Oversees and interprets operating policies and procedures; advises resource units on tasks and operations as required to solve complex problems; ensures project and operational schedules and budgets are met.
• Contributes to the increased effectiveness of maintenance and operations programs by recommending and influencing the implementation of improvements in transmission and bulk substation maintenance procedures, standards and work processes.
• Works with outside agencies including federal, state, county, and regional agencies on the development and implementation of maintenance and operations plans; ensures that power system operations and maintenance schedules and procedures meet regulatory requirements.
• Interprets and reviews engineering and technical drawings, diagrams and transmission equipment-rating database for BANC and SMUD; provides support to staff resources to meet operations and maintenance service agreements and system operations requirements; oversees release to operations checklist (ROC process).
• Participates in the investigation and evaluation of emergencies such as interruptions to systems services; reviews and approves repair strategies after considering impacts to system operations and service levels.
• Reviews preventive maintenance program for SMUD transmission, substation and EMC support systems to provide SMUD with a reliable transmission system to operate.
• Oversees the operations compliance program for SMUD and BANC with FERC NOPRS and NERC/WECC reliability standards, to include the standards under development, implementation of new standards, and NERC/WECC audits and mock audits.
• Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in electrical engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• Seven or more (7+) years of progressively responsible work experience in the design, operation and maintenance of power transmission and substation systems.

Knowledge Of

Fundamentals and practices related to operations and rating limitations of transmission and control, equipment, including mechanical and electrical equipment associated with transmission systems, operating and emergency procedures; fusing and protective relaying fundamentals; safety policies, practices and procedures; FERC/NERC/WECC operations policies and reliability standards; supervisory fundamentals and techniques; policies and standards for interacting with local, state, and federal authorities and agencies; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Manage and monitor projects; coordinate the work of the function or unit with other SMUD/BANC entities; schedule and prioritize own work assignments to meet expected timeframes; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely in one-on-one or group settings, taking into account the audience and nature of information; assess complex issues and develop/implement resolution alternatives; examine procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements; examine situations, documents and data for conformance to established policy and procedures; read and interpret plans, diagrams and specifications; develop and implement new and revised policies and procedures to provide for the effective operation of the area of responsibility; interpret, evaluate and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements; 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 working relationships internally/externally.

Required Licenses/Certificates

• Valid California Driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ten or more (10+) years of relevant work experience
• Professional Engineering License in Electrical Engineering with the State of California.
• NERC Certified RC Operator certification.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Hybrid Work

This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to hybrid work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.