Umatilla Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Hermiston, Oregon (population 18,000+), the largest and fastest-growing city in Eastern Oregon. Located seven miles south of the Columbia River, Lake Wallula and the McNary Dam, the Hermiston area has become a hub for logistics and data center activity. The area is 30 minutes south of the Tri-Cities in Washington, two-and-a-half hours south of Spokane, three hours east of Portland, and three-and-a-half hours northwest of Boise. Cost of living is lower than the national average. Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University have branch facilities in Hermiston; Columbia Basin College and a branch campus of Washington State University are a 40-mile drive. Area activities are plentiful, and include golfing, boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking and snow skiing. 

Type: Full-Time

Work location: Hermiston, Oregon (in-office) or Portland Metro area (remote), to be determined at time of hire. 

Salary

Range for Transmission Specialist: $147,631-$181,568 DOQ  (Target Hiring Range: $147,631-$161,321)

Range for Senior Transmission Specialist: $179,093-$220,261 DOQ (Target Hiring Range: $179,093-$195,699) 

UEC Company Benefits & Perks:

4-10 Schedule (Friday's Off)

401(K) up to 11% Company Match

Pension Plan (100% Employer Sponsored)

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefits options

Competitive Wages

Vacation, Sick Leave and 11 paid holidays

Gym Membership Subsidy

Employer Sponsored Training

Various Opportunities for Fundraising and giving back to the community.

For information on the local area, please visit: https://hermistonchamber.com/

SUMMARY

This role is responsible for the support or management of wholesale transmission service agreements, transmission reservations, and scheduling, and supporting or administering UEC’s interconnection process in coordination with internal and external stakeholders. The position provides technical and policy analysis to support UEC’s long-term transmission strategy, ensure regulatory compliance, and represent member interests in regional market and transmission forums, including BPA proceedings, consortiums, and trade associations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES may include other duties as assigned.

• Support or manage UEC’s wholesale transmission service agreements and all related transmission reservation and scheduling requirements.
• Support or administer UEC’s interconnection process by working with internal and external stakeholders. Provide technical analysis to develop and implement UEC’s long-term transmission strategy.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that UEC fulfills its regulatory compliance obligations.
• Conduct technical and policy analysis necessary to actively represent the interests of UEC’s members in regional market and transmission forums, including BPA workshops and rate cases, regional consortiums, and regional trade associations.

JOB DUTIES may include other duties as assigned.

• Responsible for on-time execution of project activities, ensuring tasks are executed as per the project plan and within the set timelines.
• Compile and maintain project documentation, including meeting minutes, progress reports, and project status updates.
• Perform or supervise technical studies or analyses related to various aspects of utility operations, including those performed by third parties.
• Serve as point of contact for UEC’s transmission planning and scheduling activities.
• Comply with established UEC safety and operating rules, procedures, and guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and foster a spirit of cooperation in the workplace.
• Conduct themselves in a manner that reflects well on UEC and contributes to harmonious relations with members and the general public.
• Respectfully take direction from executive leadership. Refer any situations outside their scope of service to their supervisor for direction.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

Transmission Specialist: This position will not have supervisory responsibilities.

Senior Transmission Specialist: This position will not have supervisory responsibilities

Required Qualifications:

Education: 

Transmission Specialist & Senior Transmission Specialist:
Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, mathematics, engineering or related quantitative discipline.

Experience:

Transmission Specialist: Minimum of five (5) or more years in the electric utility or similar sector working in power or transmission management and planning, utility operations, risk management, engineering, or related analytics. A combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of total years of experience and/or education. 

Senior Transmission Specialist:
Minimum of ten (10) or more years in the electric utility or similar sector working in power or transmission management and planning, utility operations, risk management, engineering, or related analytics. A combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of total years of experience and/or education. 

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

Transmission Specialist: 

• Graduate degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of transmission providers in the Western Interconnection, particularly the Bonneville Power Administration.
• Knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirements and experience assisting in the interpretation and implementation of compliance requirements.
• Experience in negotiating and administering contracts.
• Experience in leading and/or managing projects and/or programs.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and solve problems before they occur.
• Experience analyzing and resolving utility-related policy and contract issues for both power and transmission.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and think strategically about problems faced by UEC’s membership.
• Experience representing the organization at intercompany/agency or regional meetings, or with external parties regarding program/contract policy or strategy coordination and development.

Senior Transmission Specialist:

• Expert knowledge of transmission providers in the Western Interconnection, particularly the Bonneville Power Administration.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting, implementing, and maintaining compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirements.
• Advanced skills in negotiating and administering contracts.
• Advanced skills in leading and/or managing projects and/or programs.
• Advanced communication skills and ability to work with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Additional Preferred Qualifications/Skills as outlined in Transmission Specialist. 

CERTIFICATES and LICENSES

A valid Driver’s License is required for business travel.

This role will remain open until filled but may close early based on applicant interest. Early application is encouraged. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

About Umatilla Electric Cooperative

Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) is a progressive electric utility cooperative located in northeastern Oregon along the beautiful Columbia River, offering a wide variety of activities year round. UEC is experiencing rapid growth in the commercial and industrial area and has a challenging position for the right candidate. Offering a “four tens” work schedule, strong benefits, and generous retirement program this is a unique opportunity for a rewarding career with an exciting organization in the growing community of Hermiston Oregon.

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