Distribution Grid Management Supervisor

Provides leadership to establish the requirements and posture for and management of the infrastructure required to operate the modern distribution grid in a safe and reliable manner, to mitigate risk to our assets and members which includes performing reliability analysis and scheduling of system asset outages for both longer term planning horizons and short-term day before checks. Included in this position will also be responsible for the coordination and planning of system activities that include internal and external stakeholders to ensure the system is operated in an electrically efficient and safe manner while ensuring maximum member reliability. This includes supporting the documentation of procedures that will support the training of Distribution Operations Center (DOC) personnel.

Oversee a team of technical staff that are responsible for the tuning of the real-time power flow models, administration of information registries, supporting overall Emergency Restoration of the PEC distribution system. Accountable to ensure that intelligent field devices operate properly, and the advanced distribution management system applications are performing optimally. The incumbent will also lead the integration and specifications of these systems. This function ensures that all the grid management tools are proactively monitored and that they are performing as designed. This includes leading the requirements and integration of new technology applications into the DOC and ensuring the accuracy of the distribution system model used to optimize the PEC energy systems, resulting in the continued delivery of safe reliable electricity to the PEC membership.

• Accountable for the selection and implementation of tools for day-to-day monitoring, managing, and maintaining of distribution grid. These include automation end devices, communications and advanced distribution management system applications. This function ensures that all the grid management tools are proactively monitored; that they are performing as designed and manage system issues to resolution. Guidelines are continuously developed and revised to take advantage of evolving methods and technology. Manage highly skilled technical group with responsibility for grid management directives.

• Lead and manage the DOC Grid Management effort by ensuring collaboration between the major components to realize optimal grid performance and cooperative benefit. This position will ensure the major projects work together to optimize the grid modernization efforts effectiveness and meet development and deployment timelines. The major components/projects making up DOC Grid Management are:
  • Operations Engineering (contingency analysis, restoration oversight, load balancing and AMI optimization)
  • Fault Location and Supply Restoration (FLISR logic and operational requirements)
  • Operational Data Engineering (analytics, visualization)
  • OMS/ADMS (business configurations, model management and AMI functionality/data integration)
  • GIS to OMS model data builds and accuracy
  • Operational Procedure development and administration

• Accountable for establishing distribution grid management strategies with particular emphasis on system performance, grid efficiency, demand response, planned switching and system status reporting.

• Assist with the preparation and management of the business plans and budgets for Grid Management.

• Champion the technical function of the DOC business plan, goals and objectives in coordination with cooperative and business unit strategic goals and initiatives with particular emphasis on grid performance, reporting, benchmarking and improvement. Provide strategic operational requirements for all functions of Grid Strategy. Comply with regulatory procedural requirements.

• Develop leadership, select, and retain a multi-functional, diversified, well trained, motivated, and empowered workforce. Model innovative approaches. Promote employee involvement in continuous learning, career planning, and enhancing job/industry knowledge and skills. Promote professional registration of engineers. Oversees and implements interpretation and administration of any applicable labor contracts.

• Distribution System Contingency Analysis and Outage Coordination. Conducts the Single Contingency Load Loss (SCLL) Studies and risk mitigation analysis on the sub-transmission and backbone distribution along with developing solutions to mitigate and manage the system risk.

• Analyzes requests for system outages and assesses risk to determine whether the outage will affect customer service and/or the systems integrity.

• Investigate and facilitate the technical resolution of Operational Alarms

• Planned distribution outage engineering and conflict analysis

• Lead Major Event preparations and post event system root cause analysis

• Initiate system work that provides operational benefit

• Lead DOC process and procedure development and management

• Lead State of the Grid out of service equipment system repairs

• Lead EMS/OMS/ADMS out of service equipment system repairs

• Lead the Distribution Automation analysis, philosophy and device deployment

• Provide operational guidance and assistance during complex events

• Lead operational technology updates, upgrades, & maintenance requests for current and future (EMS, OMS/DMS, etc.) applications

• Lead NERC standard analysis and determine impact to distribution system

• VOLT/VAR Real-time Oversight

• Switching and Tagging Audits

• Incident Management (Storm Duty) – Device operations and restoration scheme oversight

• Development and integration of the business process required to optimize the benefits of the grid modernization program.

• Maintain the security of confidential information

• Stay abreast of advances in technology

• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance

• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned.

A full range of supervisory activities, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for termination. This includes, but is not limited to, effectively communicating organizational policies and other information to subordinates, ensuring that employees have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

• Knowledge of business and management principles including strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques and budgeting

• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data or processing information

• Knowledge of NERC, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Electric Reliability Council of Texas

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service

• Skilled in monitoring and managing performance

• Skilled in establishing and communicating performance expectations and metrics

• Skilled in time management

• Skilled in managing changing priorities

• Skilled in anticipating, identifying, analyzing and resolving conflict and problems

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in electrical energy delivery or other related DOC (Control Center) operations role.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.

• Professional Engineering licensure preferred.

• Experience in operational (Control Center) engineering preferred.

• Working knowledge of OSI operational technology tools preferred.

• On-call responsibility may be required.

• Ability to serve as media spokesperson may be required.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel.

• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.

• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 25 pounds.

• The employee may be required to travel.

• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period.

• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.