Principal Operations Specialist - Remote eligible

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

 PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Principal Operations Specialist Salary Range: $151,530 - $196,970

Join our team as a Principal Operations Specialist! 

The Principal Operations Specialist is a senior-level role at the center of SPP's operational policy and design work. This role will serve as a trusted advisor to the Senior Director of Operations Support on strategic operational policy issues and development effort to help meet SPP’s growing needs and demands. This is a role for someone who wants to drive real impact, someone who brings operational experience and strong technical abilities to some of the most complex and exciting problems in the industry. You'll lead policy development and operational design, provide technical advisement and guidance to engineers and leadership across the department, and represent Operations Support in high-priority initiatives, projects, special assignments, and engagements with external partners. As the department's go-to Subject Matter Expert on operational policy, you'll ensure alignment and coordination across SPP as well as help develop the next generation of technical talent. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Serve as the senior technical advisor across all Operations Support functions 

• Lead operational policy development and operational design efforts 

• Lead cross-functional initiatives and complex projects from start to finish 

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers and department leadership, helping develop the next generation of technical talent 

• Identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities and drive solutions 

• Support critical operational work across teams as needed 

• Represent Operations Support in high-visibility initiatives, special assignments, and engagements with external partners and industry groups 

• Develop strategic analyses, technical guidance, and documentation 

• Ensure alignment and coordination on operational policy issues across SPP 

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Accounting, Economics or another relevant field of study.  

• Fifteen (15) years’ experience in electric system operations, real-time operations support, operations training or other area of responsibility related to reliability operations and market operations     

• Extensive knowledge of electric utility operational policies and practices, electric utility market operations, and markets including market monitoring, generally accepted ratemaking, cost allocation and pricing principles, resource planning, policies and procedures of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory commissions 

• Operational knowledge and experience in the Western Interconnection 

• Knowledge of computer business applications and database management systems 

• Regular attendance 

• Flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities 

• Excellent organizational skills 

• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures 

Preferred Qualification:

• Previous supervisory experience 

 Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of the workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

 Travel Requirement:

• This position requires travel (approximately 20%)

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool .