System Operations Planner Senior

APS • Phoenix, AZ

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

At APS, the Senior Transmission Operations Planner helps ensure the safety and reliability of transmission systems. The role leads planning and coordination for outages and system additions, develops strategies for emergency work, and represents APS as a subject matter expert on internal and external committees. The planner serves as an operational liaison between the Energy Control Center and internal and external teams, helping maintain system integrity while minimizing risk. The role also supports compliance with operating guidelines, safety standards, interconnection agreements, and regulatory documentation.

This is a hybrid role. Employees work from home and in person, with an expectation to work about 40% of their time at an APS or other non-home office location. Employees are expected to reside in Arizona, or in New Mexico if based at Four Corners. Home-office work requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic setup. Role types may change based on business need.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED plus five years of experience as a System Operations Planner or ECC Transmission Operator, or ten years of combined relevant experience in transmission-system operation, substation equipment, relaying, and operating procedures.
• Knowledge of electrical theory for interconnected electric-system operation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop complex switching procedures and interact with other areas and companies.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make timely decisions under stressful conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously at all voltage levels.
• Significant experience in grid operations and/or field experience.
• Understanding of electrical power theory and transmission-operations methodologies.
• Understanding of Balancing Authority principles, path allocations, and transmission scheduling.
• Must have passed all Operations Planning Job Performance Evaluations (JPE) and oral boards.
• Understanding of relaying and communication principles.
• Demonstrated technical skills and job knowledge outside of Outage Planning JPEs.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Ability to build and maintain business relationships with neighboring entities and internal stakeholders.
• Understanding of field maintenance, construction practices, and the Accident Prevention Manual (APM).
• Must hold and maintain North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Coordinator certification and understand NERC standards.
• Ability to use computer applications to manage work, including Microsoft suite and outage management applications.
• Ability to handle multiple complex assignments simultaneously.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for leading discussions and representing APS in stakeholder forums.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage priorities and organize work packages precisely.

Responsibilities

• Act as the operational liaison between the Energy Control Center and internal and external teams to coordinate planned and emergency work.
• Develop and prioritize outage and system-addition plans to maintain system integrity and minimize risk.
• Create and execute complex switching procedures for maintenance, new facility integration, and emergency requirements.
• Ensure compliance with operating guidelines, safety standards, and interconnection agreements, and support regulatory documentation.
• Review proposed facility modifications and provide recommendations to engineering and planning teams.
• Serve on committees and stakeholder teams, representing APS and providing subject matter expertise.
• Work with stakeholders to explain operational practices.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to execute complex projects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED