System Protection & Controls Director

Job Description

System Protection and Controls Director provides effective utilization of Human Performance Improvement (HPI) tools while keeping safety the primary objective. The director provides leadership and vision for system protection and is responsible for the development and implementation of protective relaying standards, practices and settings in electric generation facilities to allow operation of the BHE Renewables fleet safely and reliably. The director may work with and oversee consultants and compliance partners to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the fleet, participate in the design and analysis of protection and control schemes for equipment and devices, and provide technical assistance to other departments, particularly in power system grounding, surge protection and analysis of system events.

The director represents the company at public hearings, regulatory proceedings and other public meetings required for energy generating facilities, provides technical consultative services to other groups within BHE Renewables, ensures safety, environmental and regulatory compliance of the department, and recommends and implements policies affecting the BHE Renewables generation fleet.

• Provide overall leadership and vision for BHE Renewables system protection and control, setting goals and objectives to meet customer needs. Foster a learning and collaborative environment within the substation operations.
• Manage and direct the efficient design of BHER's system protection system.
• Work with consultants or compliance partners performing highly technical work on BHER's system protection facilities, including providing effective relay settings and reducing system mis‑operations.
• Foster a cooperative environment with other departments directly involved with system protection projects to help effectively achieve project and system reliability objectives.
• Assure compliance with CAISO, ERCOT, MISO, MRO, NERC, NPCC, PJM, PUCT, Reliability First, SERC, SPP, TexasRE, WAPA and WECC standards.
• Investigate system malfunctions, relay mis‑operations and protective device mis‑coordination.
• Recommend and implement corrective action.
• Review technical documents such as contracts, specifications, drawings and regulatory requirements.
• Direct the development and maintenance of protective relaying standards and practices.
• Promote process improvement through cost reduction efforts, better software tools, innovative designs, improved technology and quality assurance.

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with professional engineer's license. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.)
• Advanced degree is preferred.
• Eight years of successful leadership experience in a technical role.
• Extensive knowledge of protective relaying principles, standards and practices.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective understanding of utility and engineering economics.
• Prior experience developing and implementing standards, practices and policies. Demonstrated ability to prepare and review contracts, specifications and drawings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Prior experience presenting at public hearings, regulatory proceedings and other public meetings affecting BHER's generation fleet. Project management skills; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

BHE Renewables delivers sustainable energy solutions for customers and communities. We own, operate and develop wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and natural gas projects in 11 U.S. states. The power generated is sold into energy markets or directly to customers through long‑term purchase agreements. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, BHE Renewables is an innovative and growing company with new offices in Phoenix and San Diego.

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