Senior Balancing Authority Specialist Job at Portland General Electric
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.
Senior Balancing Authority Operator
Summary
Grid Operations is the group responsible for energy transmission and distribution strategy and operations to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient power delivery systems. The team plans, manages, schedules, and operates the transmission, substation, distribution, generation, and metering functions to meet customer needs for power through crew coordination, interconnection services, utility and strategic asset management and field management. The Balancing Authority is part of Grid Operations and is responsible for balancing real time customer loads with energy supply of generation and interchange. It also provides transmission service in accordance with PGE’s OATT.
As a Balancing Authority Specialist, you will operate PGEs balancing authority to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient power for our customers in compliance with appropriate standards, tariffs, and regulations. You will use computer-based tools such as Automatic Generation Control (AGC) to balance energy supply and demand for PGEs service territory by monitoring and controlling generation and transmission in and out of our area. You will also schedule, deliver, and when necessary, curtail transmission to wholesale customers in accordance with PGE’s OATT and FERC Standards of Conduct. Two operators per 12hr shift share the tasks of monitoring real-time systems and forward-looking plans as part of the Western Energy Imbalance Market. You communicate with Power Operations, generation facilities, neighboring utilities, RC West, and other Grid Operations personnel as needed for planning, operating, and troubleshooting. The responsibilities of a Balancing Authority Operator require the use of real-time decision making, initiative, sound judgement, forward thinking, patience, and good communication skills in highly stressful environments. This position is located at the Integrated Operations Center in Tualatin, OR. It is a 24/7 operating position and requires 12hr rotating shift work.
Career Level Summary
Specialist: Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise
- Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices
- Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions
- Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
- May lead functional teams or projects
Key Responsibilities
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System Operations Operates PGE’s Balancing Authority and transmission system reliably, efficiently, and in compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and other applicable government and industry standards and rules; maintains accurate records of significant operating problems and events.
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Resource Testing Conducts required tests to assess generating resource sufficiency to meet customer loads and reliability requirements within the Western EIM on an hourly basis; ensures PGE passes tests; takes necessary corrective action when required.
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System Monitoring Monitors intra-hour load forecasts, line congestion, infeasibilities, generation and transmission outages, Locational Market Prices and takes appropriate and immediate balancing action as necessary in compliance with applicable business practices and tariffs. Monitor power production by PGE generating resources and ensures they meet 5- and 15-minute western EIM dispatches reliably while complying with applicable government and company operating restrictions on each resource.
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Real-Time Scheduling Reserves, schedules, delivers and when necessary, curtails transmission and ancillary services to wholesale customers in accordance with PGE’s transmission tariff and code of conduct, as well as with FERC’s Standards of Conduct and other applicable rules. Updates PGE transmission system information on OASIS as required by real-time changes. Schedules receives and when necessary, curtails energy on behalf of non-PGE energy providers for delivery to their end-use customers in accordance with company standards of conduct and government “open access” rules.
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Emergency Response Makes appropriate and immediate decisions during contingencies and emergencies to ensure reliable operation of the western interconnection; initiates required notifications as outlined in reporting and emergency procedures. Exercises authority to direct other PGE personnel, including real-time marketers and power plant operators, to take actions required to ensure the reliability and safe operation of PGE’s transmission system.
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Maintain Certification Successfully acquires and maintains NERC certification as a system operator, including a Balancing & Interchange certification.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Certifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Systems or relevant field of study or equivalent experience.
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Typically, eight or more years of related work experience, or combination of work and education.
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The ability to obtain a NERC certification with Balancing & Interchange credentials within 6 months of employment.
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Valid driver’s license
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Experience with data analysis, trends, and forecasting, preferred
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Experience with data historian programs i.e., Pi, preferred
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Strong communication skills, Oral & written, preferred
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Ability to multitask, preferred
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Ability to manage stressful situations, preferred
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
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Advanced knowledge of the theory, precepts and practices involved in operation of a Balancing Authority.
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Advanced knowledge of Locational Marginal Pricing and bidding
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Advanced knowledge of PGE power scheduling and dispatching policies and procedures.
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Advanced knowledge of PGE’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) and related FERC rules and Standards of Conduct.
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Advanced knowledge of NERC and WECC reliability standards and related procedures and guidelines for operation of the bulk electric system in the western interconnection.
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Advanced knowledge of PGE transmission reservation, scheduling, and curtailment procedures.
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Advanced knowledge of Energy Management Systems and Automatic Generation Control programs.
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Intermediate knowledge of PGE generating plant capabilities and limitations
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Intermediate knowledge of electrical theory underlying reliable operation of electrical systems.
General Competencies:
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Advanced analytical thinking skills.
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Intermediate business acumen.
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Advanced decision-making skills.
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Advanced interpersonal skills.
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Advanced organization and prioritization skills.
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Advanced problem-solving skills.
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Advanced written and oral communication skills.
Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands
Cognitive Level:
Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.).
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Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks -
Ability to follow accuracy standards
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Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
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Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
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Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
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Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
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Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
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Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
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Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
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Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers, and others within the organization
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Demonstrates sound memory
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Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Schedule/Attendance:
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Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule [typically for nonexempt positions, although some exempt positions may have an established start/stop time]
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Ability to work long hours
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Ability to work a variable schedule
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Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
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Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
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Ability to work shift schedule
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Ability to work on-call schedule
Physical Capabilities:
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Driving/travel/commute:
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Daily within service territory
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Occasionally (one to two times month or less)
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Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
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Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10lb
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Carrying: Up to 10lb
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Unstable surfaces requiring balance: Stairs (over 10steps)
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Environment: Office environment
#LI-CD1, #LI-Onsite
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 believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total compensation 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.
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.
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