UNS Energy Corporation

Transmission Operations Planning Engineer I, II, III, IV, Senior

Tucson, AZ

About This Job

About Us

UNS Energy Corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned electric and gas distribution utility in Canada. Our public utility subsidiaries, Tucson Electric Power Company, UNS Electric, Inc. and UNS Gas, Inc., power our economy by providing electric and gas service to nearly 700,000 customers in Arizona.

We embrace a spirit of giving, dedicated to improving quality of life in the communities we have served for generations, and in TEP’s case, since the 1890s. We’re building a cleaner, greener grid, with more wind and solar power than ever before, while maintaining safe, reliable, and affordable service.

Your Employer of Choice

Our culture is rooted in shared core values that define how we work and who we are. Our team of innovative professionals bring their authentic selves to work each day to power our vision and make a difference.

We create opportunities for employees to thrive through:

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Continual growth: In an industry changing faster than ever before, our commitment to professional growth and leadership development means we never stop challenging ourselves to explore new possibilities.

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Active Engagement: We support a collaborative environment, with peer-to-peer learning and employee-driven groups that foster an inclusive culture.

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Total compensation: UNS Energy Corporation also offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes a 401k plan with a generous company match and additional non-discretionary employer contribution, affordable individual and family health insurance plans, tuition assistance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and much more.

Job Description - Transmission Operations Planning Engineer I, II, III, IV, Senior

Position Description

Operations Planning Engineers provide engineering analysis and technical support to the System Control and Reliability (SC&R) and Energy Management System (EMS) groups. These groups monitor, operate and maintain the tools used in the operation of the Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and UNS EnergyBulk Electric System and sub-transmission systems. Operations Planning Engineers are responsible for the studies required in the NERC Operations Horizon. They use Real Time and offline models that represent the TEP and UNS systems to conduct contingency analyses, perform transient stability and V-Q studies for the Operations Horizon. They evaluate the results of these studies and if needed, provided mitigation for issues seen. They are responsible for performing studies in the EMS as well as the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Reliability Data Specification (RDS) online models. They are responsible for review of the EMS and RDS and make corrections, as necessary. They provide support as needed to comply with flowgate analysis. They are responsible for being on a rotational call as needed. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with Reliability Coordinator guidelines and methodologies, applicable NERC Planning Standards and WECC System Performance Criteria.

Position-Related Responsibilities

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Ability to be on a rotational call, 365/24/7.Perform operations planning studies in compliance with NERC Planning Standards, WECC System Performance Criteria, SPP guidelines and methodologies and TEP/UNS requirements to ensure reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System and meet applicable regulatory requirements.

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Provides SC&R support by preparing development of Remedial Action Scheme in the form of Operating Tables as required.

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Perform Operational Planning Analysis (OPA) daily or as required.

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Prepare and communicate Operating Plan resulting from OPA as required.

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Perform outage studies as requested.

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Develops and evaluates requirements, specifications, and optimum alternatives for Network Applications to support real-time and operating horizon studies.

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Works with EMS team to develop EMS study tools used in the operations horizon

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Review and coordinate updates of EMS contingencies as required.

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Review and coordinate the operating case, contingencies, flowgates, schedules and outage information used in the support of flowgate analysis.

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Coordinates with Transmission Planning, Engineering, System Control & Reliability, Engineering Project Management, Land & Environmental and other groups to facilitate a clear understanding of transmission system issues, thereby developing technically and economically feasible solutions.

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Develops and maintains an effective level of expertise and understanding of applicable NERC Planning Standards, WECC System Performance Criteria, and TEP criteria. Ensures that standards, criteria and requirements are understood and consistently applied.

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Develops and maintains an effective level of expertise in the use of power flow, transient and voltage stability, and other related applications and databases as required to perform operations planning duties.

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Develops and updates process and procedures as needed to provide operating support to the Transmission Desk.

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Provides required data in a timely and accurate manner.

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Participates in operating activities with WECC, regional and sub-regional planning groups, and other utilities in accordance with applicable FERC regulations.

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Trains and assists new personnel within the section.

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This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.)

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Requires a BS in Electrical Engineering or related educational equivalent. Combination of education and experience may be considered.

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Requires familiarity with and the ability to run power flow and stability programs (GE PSLF preferred), Microsoft Office, and other applicable programs.

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Requires the ability to write professional technical reports.

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Ability to travel as required to support the Operations Planning Department.

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Ability to learn new software applications such as Energy Management System (EMS).

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Ability to be a team player and work well with others.

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Ability to analyze situations and make educated quick decisions.

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Ability to communicate effectively.

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Ability to work under high stress situations.

Operations Planning Engineer I:

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Ability to learn and proficiently perform and prepare OPA using PSLF. Able to communicate results to Transmission and Generation desks as needed.

Operations Planning Engineer II:

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Performs task of Engineer I.

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Able to create Remedial Action Scheme (RAS) in the form of Operating Graphs to support the TEP Tie Open Load Shed (TOLS) RAS.

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Ability to perform Outage Coordination studies as necessary.

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Familiar with required NERC, WECC and Reliability Coordinator (RC) standards, guidelines and methodologies.

Operations Planning Engineer III:

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Performs Tasks of Engineer II.

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Able to build and coordinate seasonal case and perform seasonal study from start to finish. Components of seasonal study include case development, contingency development, contingency analyses as well as transient stability analyses. Able to communicate results of study with SC&R and coordinate mitigation as required.

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Able to analyze real time situations and respond accordingly.

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Able to navigate the real time tools (EMS, RDS) and perform studies using real time tools as required.

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Able to improve upon and complete existing guidelines and methodologies used in support of Operations Planning.

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Able to complete required RSAWs with supervision.

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Know required NERC, WECC and RC standards, guidelines and methodologies.

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Able to update RAS and tools used in RAS to support Operations Planning as needed.

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Able to represent Operations Planning at inter-company meetings and report activities.

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Provide support to both SC&R and EMS as applicable.

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Able to support MOD-030 flowgate analysis with supervision as needed.

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Able to update and coordinate Ambient Adjusted Ratings and Facility Ratings as necessary.

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Able to review and correct code used in studies as necessary.

Operations Planning Engineer IV:

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Performs tasks of Engineer III

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Able to recommend Operations Planning Studies to ensure reliable operation of the BES.

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Able to complete RSAWS without supervision. (Reliability Standard Audit Worksheet – NERC doc)

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Able to apply requirements in required NERC, WECC and RC standards, guidelines and methodologies.

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Able to support MOD-030 without supervision.

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Able to manage multiple tasks/projects and mentor younger staff.

Senior Operations Planning Engineer:

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Perform Tasks of Engineer IV.

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Top level individual contributor; often integrates multiple phases of a project.

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Direct and provide technical guidance to Operations Planning Engineers.

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Requires five (5) or more years of Operations Planning experience.

Pay Rate: Salary determined based on candidates experience and qualifications.

All job offers are contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

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