Transmission Planning Manager

Summary

Responsible for the management and development of long-term transmission plans, capital improvement projects and related engineering planning studies.  Responsible for short and long-term transmission modeling. and coordination of the models to ERCOT.  Responsible for filing Transmission Planning documents with federal and state agencies.  Also responsible for acting as liaison to federal, state, and regional regulatory agencies providing input, testimony or technical expertise in support of Garland Power & Light strategy.

Number of Direct Reports (include titles): 1 Transmission Engineer

Financial & Budget Responsibility:   Assist with development of capital improvement budgets:  $30 million

Pay Range: (Depending on qualifications and experience)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and manage long-term and short-term transmission load flow and dynamics studies and plans in collaboration with the Transmission & Distribution Departments and required regulatory agencies, NERC and ERCOT.

• Produce studies and reports required under NERC TPL Standards and FERC-715 filings.

• Act as liaison to produce and file study results and transmission plans to appropriate regulatory agencies such as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Texas Reliability Entity (TRE), and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) as required.

• Develop studies and reports needed to identify and justify needed transmission facilities.in support of capital improvement project budgets and documentation including preliminary engineering, design, and construction plans of transmission and substation facilities.

• Manage resources and partner with internal departments, ERCOT and Texas Municipal Power Authority (TMPA) and others to establish reliable, safe, and cost-effective electric substation and transmission line infrastructures.  

• Assist other departments in developing and maintaining dynamic models of generation resources and filing them with ERCOT or others as required.

• Manage Interconnection Studies (dynamic and steady state) and develop reports as required by ERCOT or coordinate external studies by others for Generation and Medium/Large Loads.

• Actively anticipate and represent Garland in ERCOT and NERC Committees, Working Groups, and Task Forces as required, including ERCOT Regional Planning Group, ERCOT Planning Subcommittee, ERCOT SSWG, ERCOT DWG, ERCOT NDSWG, ERCOT SPWG and others as required.

• Frequent travel to provide testimony and participate in development of new standards, regulations, etc. before PUCT, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) or other agencies. Maintain a collaborative working relationship with other utilities, regulators and agency representatives.

• Coordinate ERCOT Operating Guide and Protocol Compliance and NERC Reliability Standards for Planning issues through all departments. Develop and monitor compliance procedures and policies to ensure activities of all departments meet Planning requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 year college degree in Electrical Engineering

• 7 years related experience

• 3 years management experience

• Licensed Professional Engineer (eligible to obtain a Texas License)

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience (in electric utility) sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Qualifications

Education/ Experience:     

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering preferred

• 7-10 years experience in Transmission operations, planning, design or related area, with a minimum of 5 years in transmission planning

• 3-5 years management experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of load flow and dynamics software and modeling

• Comprehensive knowledge of NERC standards and audit requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge and exhibited ability to work with NERC or regional task forces and committees

• Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office and Project Management software

• Extensive knowledge of transmission and substation planning methods and practices

• Extensive knowledge of electric regulatory agencies including providing testimony and effective participation in committees

• Extensive skill in Transmission Planning, steady state and dynamic stability studies and preparing reports from the studies

• Comprehensive knowledge of NERC compliance programs including participation in NERC audits

• Comprehensive knowledge of TRE, ERCOT, FERC, NERC, etc. and other regulatory agencies standards, regulations, compliance and practices relating to Transmission and Generation Planning

• Comprehensive understanding of budgeting in regards to capital projects

• Comprehensive knowledge of project management, engineering specifications, transmission static and dynamic modeling, etc.

• Good verbal and written communications skills to effectively state and justify Garland’s positions before regulatory agencies and organizations

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Class C Texas driver's license

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) (eligible to obtain a Texas License)

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

The work environment and physical demands 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.

The incumbent works in a typical office environment; occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.