Operations Transmission Engineer/Senior Operations Transmission Engineer

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Summary

PGE Grid Operations ensures the delivery of safe and reliable power to our customers while enabling the integration of renewable resources, distributed energy resources, and the expansion of distribution automation.

Transmission Operations Coordinates with crews and other operations personnel to operate the electric power transmission system to meet power supply demands with adequate distribution of electricity.

Grid Operation Transmission Engineer performs power system analysis of the interconnected grid, supports, and develops electric network model in the Energy Management System, and provides real time engineering support to PGE’s Transmission Operation while ensuring reliable operation of the interconnected transmission system. They additionally provide support for field operations during switching, outage restoration and system planning and key stakeholder groups

Career Level Summary

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Requires theoretical and application-based knowledge of power system analysis principles and concepts

• Ability to acquire higher-level knowledge and skills as applicable to Balancing Authority and Transmission Grid Operations, NERC and FERC standards, and performing real time power system analysis

• Solves a range of complex problems using real time data and analyzes possible solutions in collaboration with multiple stakeholders

• Operates independently while receiving ongoing guidance and direction from others

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Requires in-depth knowledge and experience performing power system analysis and providing engineering support to Transmission Grid Operations

• Understands the NERC and FERC standards as applicable to Balancing Authority and Transmission Grid Operations, and uses utility best practices to improve processes and services

• Solves a range of complex power system engineering problems and provides new perspective on existing processes and solutions

• Operates independently with minimal guidance and acts as a resource for colleagues 

Key Responsibilities

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Engineering Standards

  • Applies engineering education and training in advancing professional knowledge of engineering processes and standards as applicable to power system and interconnected transmission grid operations

  • Applies technical expertise to assure compliance with applicable NERC/WECC reliability standards for transmission operations, prepares documentation in support of the WECC audit process of the NERC reliability standards and interfaces with other PGE workgroups to assist in compliance efforts as needed

• Engineering Production

  • Prepares engineering deliverables as a member of engineering support/project

  • Contributes and completes engineering analyses for operation of the transmission system (current day, next day and seasonal system studies); anticipates and responds to unplanned outages and system emergencies by identifying actions needed to promptly restore service and alleviate emergency conditions; updates Energy Management System (EMS) databases to reflect current equipment and facility modifications and limits; fulfills data-exchange requirements to Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and neighboring utilities for real time system and facility changes

• Project Coordination

  • Coordinates with internal/external team members on assigned projects; shares information and professional opinions/guidance in executing project tasks

  • Coordinates and interfaces with the Reliability Coordinator and neighboring utilities like Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and PacifiCorp West (PACW) to coordinate study results, real time operating limits and path flow ratings

  • Coordinates outage scheduling and constructing/maintenance plans affecting the transmission system in the one year horizon while providing analysis for transmission switching plans to support capital projects and maintenance activities.

• Knowledge Sharing

  • Expands and shares professional knowledge of latest technology and processes

  • Provides simulation training support as required by the NERC PER Standards

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Engineering Standards

  • Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and independently applies professional knowledge of engineering processes and standards as applicable to power system and interconnected transmission grid operations

  • Provides technical expertise and oversight to ensure compliance with applicable NERC/WECC reliability standards for transmission operations; prepares documentation and represents PGE as a Subject Matter expert (SME) in support of the WECC audit process of the NERC reliability standards while consulting with other PGE workgroups to assist in their compliance efforts

• Engineering Production

  • Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects; coordinates multiple discipline activity and may lead small project teams

  • Completes and reviews engineering analyses for operation of the transmission system (current day, next day and seasonal system studies); anticipates and responds to unplanned outages and system emergencies by identifying actions needed to promptly restore service and alleviate emergency conditions. Performs quality assurance on data required for Wester Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and neighboring utilities

• Project Coordination

  • Actively coordinates with other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects, including representing the team to interdepartmental stakeholders

  • Coordinates and interfaces with the Reliability Coordinator and neighboring utilities like Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and PacifiCorp West (PACW) to coordinate study results, real time operating limits and path flow ratings

  • Provides recommendations and analysis for outage scheduling and construction/maintenance plans affecting the transmission system in the one year horizon; and oversees transmission switching plans to support capital projects and maintenance activities

• Knowledge Sharing

  • Serves as a technical specialist and provides consultation/guidance to project teams in particular practice area, actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring

  • Assists in implementing resource management strategy

  • Provides simulation training support as required by the NERC PER Standards

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Certifications

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency

• Typically, two or fewer years in engineering

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam strongly preferred and ability to obtain the NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency

• Typically, five or more years in engineering or four or more years in related field with PE license

• Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred and must be able to obtain the NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of electrical engineering principles and concepts

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of PGE’s electrical transmission and distribution system

• Working knowledge of real time and off-line power flow software applications and programming languages

• Working knowledge of relay protection schemes for substations and transmission/distribution facilities

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of other engineering disciplines and ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of engineering processes and procedures

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of industry and technology trends

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures

• Working/ knowledge of construction feasibility

• Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration

• Working/Intermediate knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Advanced knowledge of electrical engineering principles and concepts

• Advanced knowledge of PGE’s electrical transmission and distribution system

• Advanced knowledge of real time and off-line power flow software applications and programming languages

• Intermediate knowledge of relay protection schemes for substations and transmission/distribution facilities

• Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned

• Advanced knowledge of engineering processes and procedures

• Advanced knowledge of industry and technology trends

• Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures

• Intermediate knowledge of construction feasibility

• Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration

• Advanced knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates

General Competencies:

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Intermediate accuracy skills

• Working/Intermediate analytical thinking skills

• Basic/Working knowledge of utility industry

• Working/Intermediate organization and prioritization skills

• Working/Intermediate problem-solving skills

• Working/Intermediate decision-making skills

• Working/Intermediate written and oral communication skills

• Working/Intermediate presentation skills

Senor Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Advanced accuracy skills

• Advanced analytical thinking skills

• Intermediate knowledge of utility industry

• Advanced organization and prioritization skills

• Advanced problem-solving skills

• Advanced decision-making skills

• Advanced written and oral communication skills

• Advanced presentation skills

Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level: Intermediate

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

Cognitive Level: Substantial

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

• Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts and draw valid conclusions 

Cognitive:

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks

• Ability to follow accuracy standards

• Ability to follow through on decision making tasks

• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment

• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress

• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback

• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership or areas of improvement

• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks

• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization

• Demonstrates sound memory

• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks

• Ability to follow accuracy standards

• Ability to follow through on decision making tasks

• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment

• Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress

• Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback

• Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership or areas of improvement

• Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks

• Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization

• Demonstrates sound memory

• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance:

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Ability to adhere to pre-establish schedule

• Ability to work long hours in exceptional and emergency situations

• Ability to work a variable schedule

• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather

• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance

• Ability to work on-call schedule

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Ability to adhere to pre-establish schedule

• Ability to work long hours in exceptional and emergency situations

• Ability to work a variable schedule

• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather

• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance

• Ability to work on-call schedule

Physical Capabilities:

Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Computer Use

• Driving/Travel/Commute to PGE’s Integrated Operations Center in Tualatin Frequently

Senior Operations Transmission Engineer:

• Computer Use

• Driving/Travel/Commute to PGE’s Integrated Operations Center in Tualatin Frequently

Compensation Range:

$84,450.00 - $166,625.00

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Talent Acquisition Specialist (Recruiter) associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.com or by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.  Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team is also available for support.  You can contact them at dei@pgn.com.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date.  Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.