Weatherization Inspector - Electric Reliability Council of Texas

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We accept and celebrate those that join us and recognize that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. ERCOT offers the flexibility to work both in and out of the office within the state of Texas, providing our employees with an enhanced work life balance. Weatherization Inspector ensures ERCOT meets its obligations in accordance with regulatory requirements to perform generation and transmission weatherization and maintenance compliance inspections/audits for Texas power plants and transmission facilities in compliance with the requirements of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and ERCOT Nodal Protocols. These evolving requirements are intended to ensure continuing reliable operations of the electric power grid under extreme cold and hot weather conditions. Performs on-site and remote inspections of generating stations and transmission facilities. Monitors and determines whether weather emergency preparedness reliability standards are met. Work involves inspecting, providing inspection reports, identifying areas of potential non-compliance, requesting mitigation and corrective action, and verifying remedial work has been completed. This position requires the Weatherization Inspector to work independently, interact professionally with internal and external personnel of various position levels from individual contributors to senior management, meet deadlines, and work well within a team environment. JOB DUTIES Level 2 Communicates with generator and transmission owners Responsible for coordinating, performing, and detailed reporting on inspection/audit activities within assigned ERCOT Weather Zones Conducts site visits for generation and transmission compliance inspections/audits which includes physical inspection of equipment, and verification of compliance for weatherization and maintenance with work orders, preventative maintenance records and checklists Maintains regular communication with the weatherization team providing relevant information and line of sight on work activities to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and attention to detail to communicate and collaborate with diverse groups in a tactful and diplomatic manner Builds strong professional relationships both internally and externally Promotes a safe working environment Understands applicable standards Performs all work according to applicable rules and regulations including regulatory and safety requirements as well as organizational policies and procedures Becomes Certified under ERCOT’s Weatherization Inspector Training Program and completes annual continuing training requirements. Maintains a thorough understanding of applicable standards and guiding principles for inspection strategies Develops and maintains a good understanding of the ERCOT competitive energy markets Suggest solutions to improve accuracy, efficiency, and timeline of inspection activities Collaborates to help create the timeline for mitigation, corrective action, and re-inspection May provide on the job training or help oversee the work of others May participate in RFP’s and vendor management and/or consultant services Other duties as assigned Senior Level - Above plus Develops detailed solutions and improvements to procedures to improve accuracy, efficiency, and timelines of inspection activities Assists in the scheduling of multiple site inspections across Texas Continuously improves working knowledge of the market, power systems, and various types of technologies used by Market Participants within the ERCOT market Serves as the departmental representative on cross-functional teams, proactively providing technical, business, and policy guidance Leads the work of projects and internal audits as assigned by management Acts as mentor and advisor to less experienced inspectors May represent ERCOT at stakeholder forums, on committees, and/or in working groups Other duties as assigned EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Required) or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required which can include experience in power generation and transmission facilities CERTIFICATION ERCOT Weatherization Inspector Certification is required to be passed within the first year of hire and must complete annual continuing training requirements. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Level 2 – Requires a minimum of 1-year related work experience in the electric utility industry in excess of degree requirements Senior – Requires a minimum of 5 years related work experience in excess of degree requirements Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Related work experience in thermal power plant maintenance or operations (some ERCOT region experience preferred) Familiarity with power plant weatherization in thermal and intermittent (all technologies preferred) Familiarity with inverter-based resource operations, limitations, and equipment Familiarity with transmission operation and equipment Tech savvy with good working knowledge of MS Office Suite Vendor and Project Management experience OTHER REQUIREMENTS Travel required. May travel up to 75% for multiple days at a time. Ability to walk, climb stairs and ladders, stand for prolonged periods of time, and access power plant, transmission facilities, and load resource facilities while wearing appropriate PPE Ability to gain clearance for escorted and/or unescorted access for plant visits and inspections as needed Hold and maintain a valid Texas Driver’s License, have an acceptable driving record, and a reliable personal vehicle Must have dependable access to the internet INSPECTION LOCATION Be located in or willing to relocate to Far West - Lubbock or Midland/Odessa/Big Spring area - Inspections will generally occur at various power generation and transmission facility sites owned by market participants May be required to be on-site at the Taylor or Austin facilities at least once a month, or more based on the business needs and as determined by the Manager The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-MH1 Expected Salary Range: $99,111 - $168,446 Are you an ERCOT Employee? If so please log in to Workday to apply. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 24 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 52,700 miles of transmission lines and 1,100 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.