System Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Manager's role is wide-ranging, including work process and outage management, direct supervision of remote systems, distribution work activities, performance measurement, coaching, mentoring, and various administrative duties. In addition, this position oversees system operations staff who maintain system integrity and initiate corrective actions. This includes prioritizing and expediting operations and repairs, preparing distribution system clearances, accurately keeping records, and ensuring that work is conducted in a safe manner following policies, work methods, and standards.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide direction and supervision to the team on day-to-day job activities and responsibilities.
• Oversee and drive continuous improvement to reduce and eliminate operational issues.
• Assist in proactively monitoring real-time activity, performance, and operational status of all distribution assets, including assigning outages and/or system disturbances, complying with transmission directives and outage coordination/management.
• Assist the operators in understanding and identifying abnormal operations or alarm conditions and appropriately troubleshoot in a timely fashion.
• Perform periodic operator log reviews for accuracy and compliance.
• Develop, lead, and support with the onboarding process and training requirements of personnel.
• Develop and implement processes and procedures to ensure compliance with internal controls, regulatory requirements, and operational standards.
• Manage personnel timesheet, shift coverage, progression development, performance review and disciplinary action (as needed).
• Report and inform Senior Staff and the Board with operational statistics or issues.
• Lead department L-10 meetings.
• Coordinate with Operation and Engineering to execute internal/external processes and programs.
• Develop processes and procedures to comply with various ISO, TSO and other grid regulatory entities.
• Foster a productive relationship with various ISO, TSO and other grid regulator entities and their control room.
• Develop and maintain the Tri-County Electric Cooperative Emergency Operations Plan.
• Lead and maintain company 2-way radio communications and equipment.
• Monitor regulatory updates to ensure proper process for identifying critical load designation.
• Maintain proper load shed requirements to meet ERCOT obligations.
• Update system reliability and outage training materials around SAIDI, CAIDI, SAIFI and deliver annual training to operation personnel.
• Coordinate with Brazos and other internal departments during emergency situation for the ERCOT load shed and other grid events.
• Work in close coordination with teams outside of the control room, such as Operations, Engineering, IT, Enterprise, Member Services, and Communications
• Work according to the safety rules and company policies, as adopted by TCEC and is responsible for own safety and reports all accidents in accordance with TCEC policies.
• Support the strategic goals of the organization in accordance with the Cooperative' Strategic Plan.
• Interact with all departments of the Cooperative as well as with members, the general public, other utility personnel, governmental agencies, and equipment vendors in a kind and courteous manner.
• Assist in the emergency restoration of facilities during storm or general outages.
• Develop team by identifying areas of needed training to achieve professional growth.
• Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prepare all documentation required for monthly board report.
• Prepare annual Form 7 for accounting department.
• Prepare all documentation for annual PUC filings.
• Available for 24-hour on-call duty to meet obligations to the team as issues arise
• Participates in various projects as required.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Position Requirements

• Education Requirements

• • Must have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and be a PE (Professional Engineer) (if applicable; see experience). Relevant experience in electrical distribution, transmission, or generation would be considered instead of education.

• Experience
  • Five years of system operations experience or three years of system operations experience and an associate degree in a related field or has obtained journeyman linemen status.
  • Able to demonstrate competent technical knowledge of distribution and system processes and experience in operating electrical or SCADA systems
  • Able to interpret NERC, ERCOT, and Brazos Electric regulations and requirements
  • Knowledge of NERC CIP/Reliability Standards and remaining current on regulatory changes.
• Communication Skills
  • Effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
  • Ability to work in difficult member situations
• Computer Skills
  • Proficient in all Microsoft Office Applications.
  • Ability to learn new software.
• Analytical Skills
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, project management and decision-making skills.
  • Be organized, able to multitask, and manage projects to meet scheduled timelines.
  • Knowledge of functional system interaction and must be able to pau attention to critical elements in complex regulated environment
  • Ability to coordinate multiple activities and ensure safety, quality, and schedule adherence
  • Ability to take direction, identify problems, develop solutions, conduct analysis independently and in collaboration with others
• Influencing Skills
  • Exceptional leadership and management skills.
  • Ability to handle stressful, and/or emergency situations, in a calm and organized manner.
  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment that emphasizes attention to detail, meeting deadlines and working together to achieve company-wide objectives.
  • Demonstrated self-starter with a positive "can do" attitude and a passion for excellence in embracing company goals and initiatives

Relationships

• Report to Chief Strategy Officer & VP of Engineering
• Work with Operations, Engineering, GIS, Accounting, IT, Enterprise and other Cooperative staff.
• Work with Brazos Electric, Schneider Electric, ARCOS, Meridian, ABB, Futura, Survalent.

Physical Demands

(Scale: Rarely = Less than 5%, Occasionally = 5% - 25%, Frequently = More than 25%)

• Heavy lifting or moving of materials: Rarely - Up to 5 pounds.
• Operates Equipment: N/A
• Operates Office Machines: Frequently
• Standing: Occasionally
• Walking: Occasionally
• Awkward Position (stooping, bending etc.): Occasionally
• Climbing Maximum: Rarely
• Eye-hand Coordination: Rarely
• Location: Indoor 90% of time, Outdoor 10%