Job Description:

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive 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 assistance


• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.


• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

Overview

The Manager, Balancing Authority, manages the development, maintenance and day to day provision of the Balancing Authority policies and key related functions performed by SPP across a footprint spanning all or part of 14 states.  This role is primarily responsible for ensuring and maintaining the integrity of the bulk electric system by overseeing the planning, forecasting and deployment of reliability related services to SPP members and stakeholders while ensuring that all activities are in compliance with applicable SPP criteria and NERC Reliability Standards.   The Manager of Balancing Authority discusses development plans with their direct reports and manages individual performance through real-time coaching and periodic performance reviews.

Essential Functions

• Act as primary subject matter expert with regard to Balancing Authority operations, operational policies, and business and compliance standards


• Administer a department of Balancing Authority staff to ensure they perform accurately and are equipped with necessary tools, skills, and resources to do so


• Provide technical expertise to SPP committees and working groups, particularly the Operating Reliability Working Group, Balancing Authority Oversight Committee, and Markets and Operations Policy Committee. Facilitate or provide staff support for SPP committees and working groups as needed.


• Lead development of coordinated Operations plans and procedures with collaboration of SPP stakeholders and other impacted entities. Ensure staff and other stakeholders are informed and aware of their roles in emergency and other Operations plans.


• Collect data and prepare necessary reports in support of the Balancing Authority function as required by SPP, NERC, NAESB and FERC


• Work to ensure operations staff compliance with and the enforcement of SPP policies and procedures


• Conducts regular touch-base meetings with direct reports to discuss development goals, business goals and performance matters


• Provides real-time coaching on performance


• Conducts annual performance reviews

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, business administration or related field (additional related experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement)

Experience Requirements:

• Ten (10) years of electric utility experience related to transmission system dispatch/operations or another area pertinent to Balancing Authority operations; or 6 years of experience obtained in a responsible role involved with the SPP Balancing Authority function

Required:

• In-depth knowledge of transmission system operations and NERC reliability standards


• Working knowledge of SPP Criteria, market protocols and the OATT


• Knowledgeable and conversant with operational tools such as Energy Management System, reporting tools and scheduling systems


• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal


• Understanding of, compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in related field of study

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

• The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.


• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.


• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.


• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.


• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires moderate travel (approximately 20%).

Should you elect to apply for this position SPP will review your qualifications. If after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days, but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email. 

 Southwest Power Pool is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “reasonable accommodation” as a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows a qualified individual with a disability to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of a particular job, and does not cause an undue hardship for the employer.  SPP adheres to the ADA and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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