Career Opportunities: Sr Transmission Planning Engineer (19853)

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us? 

You’ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn’t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.  

Who we are 

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province’s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province’s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario’s electricity needs – now and into the future.

 

The opportunity

Transmission Planning is part of the Power System Planning Division and is responsible for initiating and supporting the implementation of transmission investments, at the provincial, regional and local level, and of distribution connected non-wire alternatives that enhance system performance, increase market efficiency and/or reduce cost for customers.  Its power system plans form the basis for capital investment decisions, regulatory approvals and the development of commercial agreements to provide new transmission facilities and supply resources.  
They produce assessments as required by NPCC and NERC that demonstrate its power system plans meet reliability standards and they also provide transmission interface limits for resource adequacy assessments and to facilitate resource procurement activities.
They continually develop and evolve their planning processes to ensure that their processes continue to align with future procurement activities, stakeholder expectations and other processes within the IESO.  
The Senior Transmission Planning Engineer/Specialist will carry out transmission planning activities as described in this document and will generally be working in one of the following types of activities:
1.    Bulk transmission planning
2.    Regional planning
3.    Compliance assessments/reporting and standards development
4.    Planning process development
5.    Assessments to support resource procurement activities

What you will do 

The use of the Title “Senior Transmission Planning Engineer” shall be only used by incumbents who are PEO license holders that are competent in the field of electrical engineering. The use of the Title “Senior Transmission Planning Specialist” shall be used by incumbents who are not PEO license holders or PEO license holders who are not competent in the field of electrical engineering.
The duties of the Senior Transmission Planning Engineer/Specialist are substantially similar to the Transmission Planning Engineer/Specialist; however, at the senior level, the nature of the work is more difficult and complex, typically involves leading teams, triaging work assignments, and exerting influence with within the organization and with external stakeholders. The Senior Transmission Planning Engineer/Specialist provides mentorship, training, and guidance to other planning staff, and is expected to be able to work at a high level of independence with minimal direct supervision.
Duties include:

• Lead and/or contribute to the development of plans and planning products related to the electricity transmission system. These plans and planning products include: bulk transmission plans, regional plans (e.g., IRRPs), and/or special purpose plans related to ensuring reliable performance of the electricity transmission system.
• Project manage the development of plans and planning products, including: documenting plan objectives, outcomes, deliverables, milestones, and setting the schedule/time lines.
• Maintain a familiarity with the tools and models commonly used to conduct transmission system assessments and analysis, including load flow simulation tools, economic evaluation tools, risk evaluation tools, electricity resource modeling tools, etc., including a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these tools.
• Participate in economic evaluation of different options for meeting reliability needs as a transmission planning subject matter expert.
• Guide and/or contribute to the development and continuous improvement of planning processes, procedures, tools and assumptions, including process documentation, quality assurance and quality control.
• Participate in stakeholder engagements, community engagements and/or consultations on planning matters, including occasionally acting as a subject matter expert on transmission planning matters and on specific plans and planning products.
• Act as the subject matter expert for transmission planning matters in support of IESO activities, including energy efficiency, electricity markets, resource development, and sector innovation.
• Develop and maintain key external relationships including with LDCs, transmitters, First Nations representatives, government, Ontario Energy Board staff, and other sector agencies; act as a representative of Power System Planning. 
• Research and monitor development of municipal, regional, provincial, and/or federal laws and policies, including land use plans, growth plans, energy plans or targets, or other related policies or plans that have potential to influence electricity transmission needs, solutions, or opportunities within the scope of transmission plans.
• Lead the preparation of, prepare and/or contribute to the preparation of, reports, briefs, written submissions, and/or information related to transmission plans and planning matters for IESO management and leadership, regulatory processes, stakeholder engagement and inquiries, and other proceedings. 
• Frequently provide mentoring, advice and guidance to more junior or less experienced staff, and provide quality control and review of work and products; proactively play a lead strategic and operational role in the department’s work and development of work plans.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the state-of-the-art on transmission technologies, best-practices related to transmission planning and integrated resource planning, and assist in bringing relevant external trends and practices to IESO’s planning.   
• Participate in, or lead, the IESO’s participation in external industry forums.
• Perform NERC/NPCC/Market Rules compliance activities, specifically:
  • Prepare and deliver evidence demonstrating compliance with NERC and NPCC requirements, including internal control documentation, work procedures, reliability standard audit worksheets, market manuals and training material.
  • Participate in reliability audits and presenting the evidence, as required.
  • Act as a subject matter expert for the IESO to support Market Participant compliance, such as: reviewing Market Rule exemption applications, reviewing NERC/NPCC Compliance Plans and Mitigation Plans, as necessary. 
• Act as a subject matter expert to other departments and/or business units on matters related to transmission planning.
• Manage the work of external consultants acquired to support planning activities.
• Perform other duties as required

Engineering duties include and in addition, the Transmission Planning Specialist may only perform the following duties (i.e. duties 18 to 28) if direct professional responsibility (evidenced through engineering sign and seal practices) is taken by a PEO license holder::

• Complete the engineering studies required for bulk transmission plans, regional plans, NERC planning assessments, NPCC Area Transmission Reviews, planning and reliability outlooks, and for Ad hoc requests.  This includes steady-state and transient assessments of the power system.
• Assess the load meeting capability of existing local networks in order to establish regional needs for Integrated Regional Resource Plans.
• Assess the load meeting capability of system reinforcement options in order to establish their technical performance for Integrated Regional Resource Plans.
• Assess transfer capability of the Ontario and Interconnected bulk system in the near-term and long-term planning horizons to ensure system adequacy and security, and in support of resource acquisitions.
• Assess the transfer capability of bulk system reinforcement options in order to establish their technical performance for bulk system plans.
• Perform technical feasibility studies for proponents to assess the reliability impact of proposed power system facilities and connections to the IESO-controlled grid.
• Perform assessments to determine the reliability of planned protection systems and programs, including: Remedial Action Schemes, the Under-Frequency Load Shedding Program, and protective relaying during overload conditions or power swings. 
• Perform other specialized studies in the planning time horizon.
• Participate in joint planning studies with our neighbours and in other inter-Area activities, specifically:
  • Participate in appropriate NERC/NPCC committees, task forces and working groups.
  • Conduct joint studies of the interconnected system to ensure adequacy and security of the ICG due to planned modifications to neighboring systems.
  • On occasion, represent the IESO on interconnection committees and sub-committees as a technical subject matter expert.
• Participate in the standards development process as a subject matter expert from the IESO, specifically for the following activities:
  • Standard drafting activities pertaining to Planning Coordinator and Transmission Planner obligations.
  • Implementation of new standards pertaining to Planning Coordinator and Transmission Planner obligations, by providing input to standard voting activities and developing an IESO position for standards.
  • Implementation of new standards by recommending new or modified business processes. 
• Prepare documentation and deliver presentations pertaining to engineering analysis.
• Sign or sign and seal documents as a P.Eng thus taking professional responsibility for one’s own work.
• On occasion, sign or sign and seal documents as a P.Eng for peer review, or to assume professional engineering responsibility for engineering work performed by unlicensed staff.
• Occasional requirement for travel possibly involving overnight absence from home.

What you need to succeed

• Requires engineering knowledge of electrical theory, power system analysis and control, mathematics, computers science and the like to conduct engineering, economic or analytical studies related to the management and control of the bulk power system.  
• Requires knowledge normally acquired through the completion of a university degree in engineering/applied sciences, science, economics, finance, planning or by having the equivalent education.
• Requires knowledge of technical writing to prepare effective reports.
• Requires knowledge of how to deliver presentations on technical topics.
• Requires experience in power system planning and operations.
• Requires a license to engage in the practice professional engineering in Ontario and be competent in the field of electrical engineering 
• Requires experience in the power system planning or operation.  More specifically, the experience is related to the:
  • functions and characteristics of power system components
  • analytical studies and the application of computer techniques to solve power system problems
  • power system planning, operation, practices, and policies
  • electric energy, capacity, ancillary service and transmission rights market operations, practices, policies
  • Market Rules
• A period of over 8 years, and up to and including 10 years, is considered necessary to gain this experience.

What’s in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace 
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter 
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching 
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry 
   

Deadline: July 12, 2024

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member’s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview. 

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario . When working in the office, you will be located at our Toronto location.

Join our talent community

Sign up for talent community; stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference. Discover how we use our expertise and commitment to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Ontario’s businesses and communities, and how we’re innovating to secure a stronger energy future for all Ontarians. Visit Careers at IESO and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

Find out why we were selected as Greater Toronto’s Top 2024 Employers, and what we offer.