Senior Operations Functional Specialist – Interchange Scheduling

Southwest Power Pool • Little Rock, AR

3h • $87,950 - $112,190 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Operations Functional Specialist – Interchange Scheduling provides advanced technical expertise and independent analytical support for SPP's Interchange Scheduling function. As a senior‑level subject‑matter expert, this role ensures accurate, compliant, and reliable interchange schedule creation, validation, and coordination across the SPP Balancing Authority, adjacent BAs, and Transmission Providers. The Specialist supports real‑time and next‑day operations by resolving complex scheduling discrepancies, validating modeling alignment, and coordinating with internal teams to ensure operational implications are fully understood. This position leads operational reporting requirements for FERC, NERC, SPP, DOE, and SSAE16 audits and serves as a primary contributor to audit readiness. The Senior Specialist works directly with software vendors to identify issues impacting schedule processing and implements mitigations that preserve operational continuity. As a key liaison to SPP Market Operations, Reliability Coordination, Balancing Authority operations, and Interchange Scheduling customers, the Specialist must consistently exercise sound judgment and effective decision‑making under stressful operational conditions. The Senior Specialist provides training, guidance, and documentation for Operations staff, ensuring consistency across shifts and supporting continuous improvement in tools, procedures, and operational quality. The position handles complex and sensitive scheduling and compliance tasks and is expected to operate with substantial independence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (Three Years of experience in a responsible position on one or more of the SPP Operations functions may be considered in lieu of degree requirement)
• 6 years of relevant job-related experience In excess of degree requirements
• Knowledge of the calculation principles, functionality and data interfaces of applications used by multiple Functional Areas of Coordinated Operations and Market Operations.
• Knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Market Protocols, SPP Regional Tariff, SSAE16 Modeling Controls, SPP Change Control procedures, and SPP Contract Services.
• Knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, SPP Market Protocols, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices.
• Knowledgeable of and conversant with tools such as the EMS, Open Access Same-time Information System, OASIS Automation and scheduling systems
• Strong inter-personal and teaming skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
• Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
• Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Access

Responsibilities

• Displays deep knowledge of industry concepts, SPP Tariff and Business Practices, and NERC INT requirements, and communicates these effectively to real‑time operations staff.
• Prepares and reviews audit‑related documentation and ensures accurate, timely submissions for FERC, NERC, SPP, DOE, SERC, and SSAE16 reporting requirements.
• Investigates and resolves system problems impacting interchange schedule creation or validation, identifies operational impacts, and works with vendors to implement corrections or mitigations.
• Ensures that system changes, modeling updates, customer submissions, and operational tasks correctly align with Interchange Scheduling requirements and do not introduce operational risk.
• Implements and maintains updates to the SPP Interchange Scheduling Reference Manual, ensuring alignment with SPP Tariff, Business Practices, and applicable industry standards.
• Coordinates with Functional Analysts to support SPP System Operations reporting related to interchange activities, scheduling metrics, modeling validation, and compliance documentation.
• Identifies, investigates, and resolves schedule conflicts, POR/POD inconsistencies, settlement area errors, or modeling misalignments involving customers and BA counterparts.
• Works with Lead Functional Coordinators and Shift Supervisors to ensure interchange tasks are performed consistently across all shifts with accuracy and common structure.
• Develops training materials, mentors operators and analysts, and delivers coaching to strengthen cross‑functional understanding of interchange processes and compliance requirements.
• Recommends changes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of interchange scheduling tools, workflows, and procedures.
• Makes well‑informed decisions regarding scheduling discrepancies, system issues, and compliance needs in time‑critical or stressful situations.

Benefits

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

What This Job Offers

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