Operations Engineer I

Dairyland Power Cooperative • La Crosse, WI

8d • $77,400 - $116,100 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical (power option preferred) Engineering or directly related major required.
• Previous experience in the Energy industry preferred.
• Willingness to work toward professional registration required.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear technical documentation, procedures and operating guides.
• General understanding of power systems, transmission operations, outage coordination, EMS applications and power flow analysis preferred.
• Ability to evaluate outage impacts, system configurations, reliability risks and operational constraints.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work with limited supervision and adapt to changing operating conditions.
• Ability to work effectively with field crews, the System Operations Center, Project Managers, internal teams, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.
• Ability to support routine planning work, emergent system needs, off-duty support and required travel.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
• Life insurance
• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Robust Wellness Program
• New Flexible Work Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level