Operations Engineer

This posting reflects the responsibilities, qualifications and compensation range for the Engineer I level. Based on a candidate’s skills, experience and overall qualifications, Dairyland Power Cooperative may consider placement at the Engineer II or Engineer III level. Candidates with experience beyond the Engineer I level are encouraged to apply.

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

Level I: $77,400 - $116,100

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

Assists in the Operations Planning function, including outage coordination and engineering support to the System Operations Center. Ensures generation and transmission maintenance and construction outages are scheduled without compromising system reliability. Supports Dairyland Power Cooperative’s reliable operation of the transmission system through operating studies, operating guides, seasonal power flow models, outage coordination, Dispatcher support and coordination with internal teams, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.

• Assist in the preparation, review and update of Dairyland Power Cooperative procedures, operating guides, outage instructions and other documentation pertinent to Operations Planning.
• Utilize the Energy Management System, including network applications such as State Estimator and Real-Time Contingency Analysis. Assist in the operation and maintenance of network application functions that support the System Operations Center.
• Perform the Outage Coordination function by reviewing generation and transmission outage requests, identifying reliability impacts, providing special instructions to Dispatchers and coordinating planned work with MISO, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives, Dairyland field crews and internal stakeholders.
• Provide operational support to Dairyland field crews by assisting with facility maintenance scheduling, reviewing outage timing and providing input on preliminary switching sequences for complex maintenance and construction outages.
• Participate in the periodic review and improvement of the Outage Coordination process. Ensure the function is adequately covered during normal working hours, including high-volume outage planning periods and periods of changing system conditions.
• Assist in operating studies of planned system configurations and develop seasonal power flow operating models to determine optimal normal transmission system configurations, evaluate reliability risks and support operating guide development.
• Support the development and maintenance of Dairyland’s Power System Restoration plan. Participate in industry working groups and Power System Restoration drills as necessary.
• Provide support to the System Operations Center during transmission emergencies, Dispatcher training, drills and documentation of system disturbances. Translate technical information into clear, practical Dispatcher guidance.
• Support Transmission Planning and Project Managers by reviewing future transmission and substation additions, planned outage periods, construction sequencing, seasonal restrictions and compatibility with other planned transmission outages.

Education & Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical (power option preferred) Engineering or directly related major required.…