Transmission Planning Engineer I, II, III, or Senior

Effective immediately the position of Transmission Planning Engineer I, II, III, or Senior in the T&D Planning Department is open for placement. This one position could be filled at an Engineer I, Engineer II, Engineer III, or Senior Engineer level based on the applicant's education and experience, see the Qualifications section for additional requirements.

SUMMARY: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Transmission & Distribution Planning, the Transmission Planning Engineer develops long-range transmission plans in compliance with NERC Standards, provides system operating support, performs complex system studies including power flow, transient stability, short-circuit, contingency analysis, generation dispatch, and others to determine the feasibility of interconnections, planned transmission upgrades, generation additions, facilities necessary to accommodate Southwest Power Pool (SPP) transmission service requests, generation interconnection requests, and others as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Include the following; other duties may be assigned. Conduct system planning studies, including power flow and short-circuit studies, using seasonal models from the present day extending many years into the future. These studies assess system conditions under both normal and contingency scenarios to identify any potential System Operating Limits (SOL) violations, and they develop corrective action plans or operating procedures to ensure compliance with NERC standards. Perform real-time studies as required to maintain SOL compliance with NERC standards at the request of operations personnel. Develop and maintain technical documentation, planning guidelines, and related reports while applying knowledge of the technical environment and governing regulations, including NERC, SPP, and FERC requirements. Develops company work plans (long-range and construction) to ensure reliable power supply, while coordinating with member systems to interpret service requests, monitor facility needs, and align planned upgrades with WFEC policies, processes, and regional reliability requirements. Provide project justifications for RUS submittals, incorporating detailed cost tracking, historical project data, and supporting documentation to ensure alignment with WFEC policies. Actively participate in SPP advisory groups, task forces, and working groups, striving to obtain and maintain voting-member status where appropriate, while coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders to support agreements, policy alignment, and timely responses to member cooperatives and regional transmission planning initiatives. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support planning activities and continuously improve workflows, processes, and procedures associated with transmission planning, interconnection, and load connection requests. Provide technical and policy-related support to WFEC staff and member cooperatives, interpreting complex requests, addressing inquiries through presentations and discussions, and delivering clear guidance on planning, policies, processes, and agreements, as applicable. Create and maintain system data that is used by PSSE, ASPEN, One-Liner, and other software tools used for system studies. Update the SPP modeling database as changes occur in the WFEC system. Engage in all aspects of SPP regional transmission planning, including ITP, CPP, transmission assessments, and related stakeholder initiatives. When requested, respond to customer and member cooperative requests regarding load growth and system impacts, while proactively monitoring facility needs, supporting planning efforts, and ensuring timely, well-coordinated responses aligned with system capabilities and WFEC policies. Support budget estimates for planned projects by tracking project related expenses, monitoring budget status, and ensuring expenditures aligned with approved budgets, WFEC financial policies, and project requirements. Stay informed of and evaluate emerging technologies, including smart grid solutions, Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), renewable energy resources, and energy storage systems, and support their integration into transmission planning activities where appropriate. Support contract and agreement processes by supporting the development, analysis, and execution of agreements (e.g., GIAs, third-party MOUs, and DPAs) and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to support transmission planning and operations.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analysis/Design: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures; Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Professional Knowledge: Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into applications; Uses feedback to modify recommendations; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Oral and Written Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Writes clearly and informatively; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.

Project Management: Develops project plans; Coordinates projects effectively; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.

Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change; delays, or unexpected outcomes.

Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments to customers.

Cost Consciousness: Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors required of this position.

Education and Experience:

Transmission Planning Engineer I - ($92,401 - $143,316): Entry level electrical engineer who assists higher classifications or more experienced engineers in work pertaining to long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Assists with technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling, as well as transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Develops positive communication and productive relationships with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperatives and WFEC management. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

Transmission Planning Engineer II - ($101,915 - $159,741): Develops long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Serves as point of contact for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Assists transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Develops and maintains positive communication and productive relationships with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperatives and WFEC management. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of qualifying engineering experience in an electric utility environment.

Transmission Planning Engineer III - ($111,863 - $177,190): Develops long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Serves as point of contact for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Assists transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Develops and maintains positive communication and productive relationships with fellow employees, industry contacts, member cooperatives and WFEC management. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field and five (5) years of qualifying experience, of which three (3) years must be engineering experience in an electrical utility environment.

Senior Transmission Planning Engineer - ($122,235 - $195,672): Top technical engineering position without supervisory responsibility. Provides professional engineering support in development of long-range transmission plans, system studies of interconnection feasibility, transmission upgrades, and generation expansion to accommodate SPP transmission service requests and generation interconnection requests. Serves as subject matter expert for technical issues, engineering information, reporting, and modeling. Performs transmission system planning, including load/zone and baseline reliability studies. Functions as a staff specialist in application of advanced theories, concepts, principles and processes. Serves as the technical expert on engineering planning and reliability matters, assisting other individuals and departments in the accomplishment of their duties. Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical (preferred), Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or a related field, certification as a Professional Engineer (P.E.), and eight (8) years of professional engineering experience, of which three (3) years must be engineering experience in an electric utility environment.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, calculus and differential equations. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: Working knowledge of applicable computer programming languages related to electrical engineering such as PSS/E, Milsoft, and Aspen. Proficient at operating personal computers using Microsoft Office Suite.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: This position requires a current driver's license. A P.E. is required for employment at the Senior Level.

WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS: Additional work scheduled, and unscheduled outside of normal hours will be required. May be asked to travel on short notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel and reach with hands and arms and to move about the facility. The employee may occasionally be required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. Vision and hearing must be normal or corrected to normal.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to occasional risk of electrical shock and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. In accordance with WFEC Administrative Procedure 805-Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace this position is classified as "safety sensitive".

MUST MEET ALL PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WFEC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER AND

TAKES AFFIRMATIVE ACTION WITH RESPECT TO INDIVIDUALS

WITH DISABILITIES AND PROTECTED VETERANS