Operations Functional Specialist - Lead, Sr or III - Remote Eligible - Southwest Power Pool

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 and transparent 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
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home 50% of the time

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

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. We are committed to competitive and transparent compensation and are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates. Factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will be considered during the hiring process.

• Lead Operations Functional Specialist Pay Range: $ 95,200 - $ 123,700
• Sr. Operations Functional Specialist Pay Range: $ 85,800 - $ 109,450
• Operations Functional Specialist III Pay Range: $ 76,000 - $ 96,900

 Join our team as a Operations Functional Specialist!

The Operations Functional Specialist plays a pivotal role in providing technical expertise and leadership across multiple real-time operations functional areas. This position will collaborate with Functional Coordinators and Operations Engineers to analyze, investigate, and provide crucial data for events analysis. The role also involves reporting findings to various stakeholders, including the SPP Market, Balancing Authority, Reliability Coordination, and Tariff/Interchange. As a thought leader within SPP Operations, this position requires accurate and effective decision-making, especially in high-pressure situations.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise across multiple real-time operations functional areas.
• Collaborate with Functional Coordinators and Operations Engineers to investigate, analyze, and report findings on operational events.
• Interface with the SPP Market, Balancing Authority, Reliability Coordination, and Tariff/Interchange for reporting and analysis purposes.
• Act as a knowledge leader, sharing expertise with staff and departments involved in SPP Operations.
• Lead and represent SPP at NERC and SPP committee meetings, working group sessions, and task force discussions.
• Advocate for SPP and its members in industry groups, bringing back vital information for SPP’s compliance and strategic decision-making.
• Propose improvements to enhance productivity and efficiency within assigned functional areas.
• Monitor, develop, and improve applications used in the major functional areas of expertise.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of functional area reports and the application of standard procedures, techniques, and criteria.
• Make critical decisions in complex and sensitive operational situations, ensuring operational stability and compliance.
• Work independently with discretion and judgment, while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.

To be successful as the Operations Functional Specialist!, we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree (Three Years of experience in a responsible position on one or more of the SPP Operations desks may be considered in lieu of degree requirement)
• Lead Operations Specialist - Ten (10) years of experience in electric system operations, real-time operations support, operations training or other area of responsibility related to the real-time functions performed within SPP Operations. (Previous NERC RC Certification may be considered in lieu of some SPP experience)
• Sr. Operations Specialist - Six (6) years of experience in electric system operations, real-time operations support, operations training or other area of responsibility related to the real-time functions performed within SPP Operations. Previous NERC RC Certification may be considered in lieu of some SPP experience
•  Operations Specialist III - Four (4) years of experience in electric system operations, real-time operations support, operations training or other area of responsibility related to the real-time functions performed within SPP Operations. Previous NERC RC Certification may be considered in lieu of some SPP experience – the Operations Specialist III role is not eligible  for remote work.
• Knowledge of the calculation principles, functionality and data interfaces of applications used by multiple Functional Areas of Coordinated Operations and Market Operations
• Knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Market Protocols, SPP Regional Tariff, SSAE16 Modeling Controls, SPP Change Control procedures, and SPP Contract Services.
• Knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, SPP Market Protocols, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices.
• Knowledgeable of and conversant with tools such as the EMS, Open Access Same-time Information System, OASIS Automation and scheduling systems
• Strong inter-personal and teaming skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
• Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
• Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Access
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

 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 minimal travel (approximately 0-15%).

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we value Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Visit our website to learn more: LINK

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview. 

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)