The Senior Grid Operations Specialist position provides advanced electrical engineering and technical support to control center personnel to ensure reliable and secure operation of the transmission system. This role performs complex power flow, transient stability, and contingency analyses to identify and mitigate transmission constraints during both planned and unplanned outages. Key responsibilities include executing engineering tasks in operational planning and real-time environments utilizing load and generation forecasting. Responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of crucial advanced applications software associated with the Tri-State Energy Management System (EMS). This includes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Automatic Generation Control (AGC) functionality, State Estimator (SE) software and associated network modeling, Contingency Analysis (CA), and the Operator Training Simulator (OTS). Special applications such as the Generation Plant Allocator integration are also in the scope of this position. The Senior Grid Operations Specialist develops and applies engineering-based real-time power system calculations to support operational decisions. This position carries authority and accountability for compliance with all applicable NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and Regional Entity Reliability Standards.

Note : There is one position available, and this position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: Grid Operations Specialist I, job grade 8; Grid Operations Specialist II, job grade 9; Grid Operations Specialist III, job grade 10 or Senior Grid Operations Specialist, job grade 11. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes : Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Grid Operations Specialist

Hiring Salary Range: $122,000-$156,000

Grid Operations Specialist III

Hiring Salary Range: $109,000-$139,000

Grid Operations Specialist II

Hiring Salary Range: $98,000-$124,000

Grid Operations Specialist I

Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for performing real-time contingency analyses and engineering studies for forced and planned outages.

• Performing next-day and real-time power flow and transient stability analyses.

• Support the entire suite of Tri-State advanced network applications including the SE, network model, CA, OTS, AGC, and Generating Plant Output Allocators.

• Ensure high quality and accurate network application solutions, achieved by tuning the network model and correcting issues with real-time telemetry, model parameters, and other appropriate measures.

• Interface with the EMS functional area regarding state estimator, contingency analysis, real-time model, and training simulator.

• Assist in the development of specifications, related software and hardware, and documentation for the training simulator.

• Coordinate Transmission System Operations needs with Power Marketing, Transmission Maintenance, Transmission Engineering, and Transmission Planning functional areas.

• Assist in maintaining the transmission line data catalog for Transmission System Operation’s needs.

• Develop and maintain historical records regarding transformers and line loadings to be shared with Transmission Planning and Transmission Engineering to target equipment that may need to be replaced.

• Represent Transmission System Operations in pre-construction meetings, LGIA (Large Generator Interconnection Agreement)and LGIP (Large Generator Interconnection Procedures) meetings, new projects meetings and other related meetings.

• Provide input and approval in the development, implementation and maintenance of Transmission System Operations Procedures, Standing Orders, Sabotage Reporting, and other documents, guidelines and procedures within Transmission System Operations.

• Responsible for assisting and directing emergency evacuation training to ensure continued reliable operations in the event the primary transmission control center becomes inoperable.

• Assist and direct the Outage Coordinators in the daily RC/BA (Reliability Coordinator/Balancing Authority) update calls as required in NERC Standard TOP-003.

• Analyze transmission system failures and work with other Tri-State support personnel to identify corrective actions and implement changes as necessary. This includes extensive coordination with Tri-State System Metering, Maintenance, EMS, and Transmission System Operations Personnel.

• Coordinate load shedding plans with the BA’s and RCs as identified in NERC Standard EOP-003.

• Establish SOLs (System Operating Limit) as directed by the RC to ensure consistency with the RC’s SOL methodology. (FAC-014)

• Assist and direct the on-going review and modifications to the emergency operation plans and procedures to ensure the adherence to NERC standards.

• Coordinate Tri-State G&T operational and next day studies with neighboring utilities and RCs.

• Assist in developing a strategy for optimizing asset utilization in an open market.

• Take a leading role in the Transmission System Operator Training Program coordinating Regional Black Start Drills and other special training requirements.

• Participate on NERC/WECC/RC committees as necessary.

• Participate in the NERC and WECC audits, as required.

• Responsible for serving as Acting Grid Operations Support Supervisor as required.

• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures and attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to functional area.

• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

• Participate in Disturbance Monitoring Committee to analyze events and identify corrective actions. 

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program required.

• Possess NERC Certification or the ability to become NERC Certified within one year.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices applicable to Transmission System Operations.

• Experience of performing power flow studies using PSSE, PowerWorld and/or PSLF software.

• Basic knowledge of protection systems and protective schemes.

• Fluency in python or other related programming languages.

• Working knowledge of State Estimation theory.

• Working knowledge of real-time power systems applications software including Power Flow, AGC, and SE.

• Working knowledge of client/server systems, personal computers, computer peripherals, computer architecture, computer networks, and Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) equipment.

• Working knowledge of multi-user shared database environments.

• Working knowledge of digital and analog SCADA circuitry, SCADA communications, data links, testing and measuring equipment.

• Working knowledge of contract administration.

• Working knowledge of FERC Order 881, 888 and 889 and the Standards of Conduct.

• Ability to develop a working knowledge of FERC Order 890.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Working knowledge of Tri-State’s service area desired.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Extensive knowledge of an interconnected electrical system.

Experience:

• Eight (8) years of progressive electric utility experience. Note : The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior Grid Operations Specialist. Those with less experience will be hired at the I, II or III job grade level.

Other:

• Willingness to travel as required. (Must possess a valid driver’s license.)

About Tri-State Generation and Transmission

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association is a wholesale electric power supplier owned by the 43 electric cooperatives that it serves. Tri-State generates and transmits electricity to its member systems throughout a 200,000 square-mile service territory across Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Serving approximately 1.5 million consumers, Tri-State was founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity. Headquartered in Westminster, Colo., about 1,500 people are employed by Tri-State throughout its four-state service area. Tri-State's power is generated through a combination of owned baseload and peaking power plants that use coal and natural gas as their primary fuels, supplemented by purchased power, federal hydroelectricity allocations and renewable resource technologies. Tri-State delivers power to its members through a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and over 5000 miles of high voltage transmission lines.

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