Director Transmission Planning & Operations

Title:

Director Transmission Planning & Operations

Department:
Transmission Planning & Operations

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US,

Posting Type:
Open

This is a non-Civil Service (at-will) position.

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.

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.

• 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.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.

• 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.

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,…