Principal Operations Transmission Engineer

Job Summary

PGE Grid Operations ensures the delivery of safe and reliable power to our customers while enabling the integration of renewable resources, distributed energy resources, and the expansion of distribution automation.

Transmission Operations Coordinates with crews and other operations personnel to operate the electric power transmission system to meet power supply demands with adequate distribution of electricity.

Grid Operation Transmission Engineer performs power system analysis of the interconnected grid, supports, and develop electric network model in the Energy Management System, and provides real time engineering support to PGE's Transmission, Balancing Authority and Energy Imbalance Market Entity Operation while ensuring reliable operation of the interconnected transmission system. They additionally provide support to field operations during switching, outage restoration and system planning and key stakeholder groups

This position works in a 6 week, rotational day shift schedule requiring time in the office and the opportunity to work occasionally from home in 4x10 and 5x8 hour days. This position does have an emergency response responsibility that could involve infrequent 12 hour day/night shift rotational coverage or on call requirements during extreme weather/storm support operations and transmission emergencies.

Career Level Summary

P4: Specialist Professional

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise.

• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices.

• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.

• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.

• May lead functional teams or projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Engineering Standards: Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and discerns the need for and provides guidance and direction to colleagues on engineering processes and standards. Provides technical expertise and oversight to ensure compliance with applicable NERC/WECC reliability standards for transmission operations. Prepares documentation and represents PGE as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in support of the WECC audit process of the NERC reliability standards.

• Engineering Production: Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects, including establishing work plans across multiple disciplines. Leads complex engineering analyses for the operation of the transmission system (current day, next day, and seasonal system studies). Identifies broad and complex solutions for anticipated or unplanned outages.

• Project Coordination: Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on complex projects. Represents the team to internal and external stakeholders (e.g., regulatory, technical society, etc.). Leads the development of study results, real-time operating limits, and path flow ratings. Oversees outage scheduling and construction/maintenance plans affecting the transmission system in the one-year horizon. Oversees transmission switching/energization plans to support capital projects and maintenance activities. Acts as Grid Operations project engineer in broader company wide projects impacting operations of PGE's transmission and generation facilities.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively advances knowledge management of the enterprise and provides mentoring. Participates in professional societies and technical committees and may assist with code/standard authoring. Externally recognized in the industry as a technical expert. Reviews engineering work, resolves resource conflicts, and identifies training needs. Provides simulation training support as required by the NERC PER standards.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Certifications

• Education: Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.

• Experience: Typically, eight or more years in engineering.

• Certifications, Licenses, and Training:Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred; may be required based upon role. Must be able to obtain the NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification.

Valid driver's license required.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Expert knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.

• Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.

• Expert knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures; intermediate knowledge of other related departments and functions.

• Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.

• Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.

• Intermediate knowledge of construction feasibility.

• Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration.

• Advanced knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.

• Expert knowledge of PGE's electrical transmission and distribution system.

• Advanced knowledge of electrical principles and concepts.

• Working knowledge of real-time and off-line power-flow software applications and high-level programming languages.

• Advanced knowledge of protection schemes for substations and transmission/distribution facilities.

General Competencies:

• Advanced accuracy skills.

• Advanced analytical thinking skills.

• Advanced knowledge of the utility industry.

• Advanced organization and prioritization skills.

• Advanced problem-solving skills.

• Advanced decision-making skills.

• Advanced written and oral communication skills.

• Advanced presentation skills.

Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level: Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).

Cognitive:

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks.

• Ability to follow accuracy standards.

• Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks.

• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment.

• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress.

• Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change.

• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback.

• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement.

• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks.

• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization.

• Demonstrates sound memory.

• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks.

Schedule/Attendance:

• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule.

• Ability to work long hours.

• Ability to work a variable schedule.

• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather.

• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.

• Ability to work shift schedule.

• Ability to work on-call schedule.

Physical Capabilities:

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less).

• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less).

• Computer use: Use computer regularly for entire work shift.

• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lbs.

• Carrying: Up to 10 lbs.

• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (e.g., moving equipment, boats):

• Walking distances and surfaces: Long distances and over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.

Environment: Indoor/outdoor

• Office

• Plant

• Field