RTO Operations and Policy Manager

City Utilities of Springfield•Springfield, MO

About The Position

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Under the guidance of the Director—Power System Operations and Planning, coordinates internal and external activities of System Planning, Power System Control and Power Marketing to optimize results and to define and promote City Utilities’ long-term objectives with respect to national, state and SPP Regional Transmission Organization (SPP RTO) regulations and requirements. Responsible for education, analysis and advocacy to align electric operations and planning efforts across all functions, including Power Generation, Electric Transmission & Distribution and Energy Services. Informs interdepartmental operations and planning (e.g. Natural Gas) to identify commonalities. Assists City Utilities financial settlement and planning activities to achieve accurate accounting and economical optimization of City Utilities’ electric system.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, data science, business or other related field from an accredited college or university required. Exceptional related experience may be considered in lieu of college degree on a year-for-year basis.
Seven years' recent progressively responsible experience in, or in direct support of: power system operations, power marketing or system planning is required.
Analytical skills and ability to acquire and evaluate information to achieve and communicate well-reasoned conclusions to complex issues.
Strong leadership, project management, and interpersonal skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Basic knowledge of transmission planning and operations concepts and tools.
Basic knowledge of generating unit technology, operation, and economics.
Advanced knowledge of FERC transmission policy.
Maintain and build relationships within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).
Ability to: Make fair and impartial decisions. Influence internal and external stakeholders, including customers, CU staff, and other market participants. Work independently to develop effective policy in a group environment. Make public presentations in a boardroom setting and communicate with technical, managerial, executive, and lay audiences. Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure. Work well under high stress levels, with frequent interruptions, and with tight and often changing deadlines. Develop awareness for innovation trends, best practices, and strategic perspectives. Adapt quickly to changing environments and integrate new knowledge into day-to-day work. Convey information from technical to non-technical terms to target audiences. Collaborate and articulate key issues within the electric industry.
Effectively utilize a range of digital tools and platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, enterprise software, artificial intelligence-enhanced applications, and self-service systems.
Must possess a willingness and capacity to learn and adapt to emerging technologies, including mobile devices, cloud-based systems, and data-driven platforms relevant to utility operations.
Maintain adherence to all company policies.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in engineering, data science, business, or related discipline is preferred.
Focused training in power system operations and planning preferred.
Current or previous NERC System Operator certification is preferred.
Advanced knowledge of NERC Standards and NERC System Operator certification.

Responsibilities

Coordinates with other CU employees and departments to follow federal, state and regional (SPP) policy development discussions and voting to ensure the conveyance of a common CU position.
Advises management of significant policy development and recommends action to meet strategic objectives and to maintain reliable and affordable electric service to our customers.
Reviews and offers input to long-range transmission, distribution and resource plans for inclusion of various perspectives. These perspectives include Rates, Economic Development, Operational Reliability, and Southwest Power Pool RTO policy.
Participates in Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process. Reviews alignment of IRP assumptions with federal, regional, and state policy direction, as well as City Utilities’ strategic goals.
Manages SPP regional study request processes—Generator Interconnection, Transmission Service, and Load Addition—as needed, to effectuate City Utilities transmission, generation and distribution plans.
Monitors adherence to Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Criteria and the SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff requirements.
Oversees collection, consolidation, and reporting of hourly generation, interchange, and system load for energy accounting and statistical reporting purposes internally and with Southwest Power Pool.
Manages data collection and reporting to SPP Transmission Tariff Operations to support SPP’s provision of transmission service using City Utilities’ transmission assets. Reviews and verifies transmission charges and revenue from SPP for financial settlements.
Maintains understanding of City Utilities’ electric services contracts including power supply, transmission and other services and acts as a Subject Matter Expert for internal discussions.
Promotes and provides employee education and development to cultivate understanding in the following areas: power system operations, SPP Open Access Transmission Tariff, SPP Business Practices, NERC Standards, and FERC proceedings relevant to power market and transmission interests in the SPP RTO.
Represents City Utilities’ electric operations and planning interests at appropriate state, regional and national committees.
Develops and cultivates relationships with regional entities, and neighboring utilities to understand and promote shared interests.
Maintains understanding of regulatory policy trends—environmental, regional and national transmission policy and NERC/FERC actions—that will impact the direction of CU’s long-term plans for generation, transmission and distribution.
Maintains understanding of power market and supply trends by following industry news, and communication with CU Power Marketing personnel, The Energy Authority, and other regional entities.
Assists with analysis of long-term, strategic needs of City Utilities’ electric system to promote delivery of world-class services and exceptional value to our customers.
Prepares and administers budget for area of responsibility.
Performs related duties as required or assigned by management.