Transmission Associate/Specialist

Job Overview

Responsible for supporting the administration of UAMPS' transmission and interconnection arrangements and helping secure the transmission rights necessary to serve UAMPS members and deliver UAMPS resources. Assists with new and changed load and resource interconnections, transmission service reservations, transmission contract administration, and coordination with UAMPS members and transmission providers.

Coordinates with UAMPS Planning and Operations departments for forecasting loads and resources as they relate to short- and long-term transmission needs. Monitors transmission contracts related to UAMPS' transmission rights and assets. Participates in transmission planning, interconnection, regulatory, and organized market forums as assigned. Works with internal departments, members, transmission providers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and other external partners to support effective contract implementation and alignment with UAMPS' strategic initiatives.

Assists in identifying and recommending improvements to UAMPS' transmission arrangements, practices, processes, and priorities. Keeps the Managing Director of Transmission & Operations informed of transmission matters, contract administration, interconnection activities, regulatory impacts, and significant issues.

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Assumes responsibility for assisting with the administration of transmission contracts and arrangements.
   1. Administers existing transmission contracts and assists with changes to existing and new transmission contracts or arrangements.
   2. Monitors national, regional, and local impacts to current transmission arrangements.
   3. Assists with the management of rights and obligations in existing network, point-to-point, and legacy transmission agreements under UAMPS and member service agreements.
   4. Works with transmission providers on issues relating to business practices, transmission service obligations and provisions, transmission outages, Open Access Same-Time Information System, and technical systems coordination.
   5. Participates in rate negotiation and regulatory proceedings for UAMPS transmission contracts as assigned.
   6. Monitors and advises management on regulatory impacts to existing transmission service agreements.
2. Assumes responsibility for supporting new and changed load and resource interconnection processes.
   1. Leads or assists with the process for adding, removing, or changing Points of Receipt and Points of Delivery under UAMPS' network transmission agreement.
   2. Works with UAMPS members on interconnection needs with their respective transmission providers.
   3. Monitors transmission providers' generation interconnection queue processes.
   4. Assists in the preparation and submittal of generator interconnection applications.
   5. Tracks interconnection milestones, queue requirements, application requirements, and contractual deadlines.
   6. Coordinates with internal departments, members, transmission providers, and outside consultants to support timely and accurate interconnection activities.
3. Assumes responsibility for supporting transmission service reservations, rights, and related processes.
   1. Assists with the evaluation, coordination, and administration of transmission service reservations.
   2. Reviews and tracks short-term, long-term, network, point-to-point, and legacy transmission service arrangements.
   3. Supports the analysis of transmission access, transmission rights, service obligations, and related operational impacts.
   4. Works to ensure UAMPS' transmission service arrangements are effectively administered and aligned with member needs.
   5. Assists in identifying potential transmission service impacts and recommends practical solutions.
4. Assumes responsibility for supporting UAMPS Transmission Strategic Initiatives.
   1. Supports and assists in advancing UAMPS Transmission Strategic Initiatives.
   2. Coordinates with internal departments and external partners to gather information, track deliverables, and support initiative implementation.
   3. Assists in evaluating strategic transmission opportunities, risks, constraints, and priorities.
   4. Prepares summaries, analyses, and recommendations related to transmission initiatives as assigned.
   5. Works to support alignment between transmission activities, member needs, and organizational strategic objectives.
5. Assumes responsibility for monitoring transmission planning, regulatory, and organized market developments.
   1. Participates in various transmission planning forums concerning local, regional, and WECC-wide transmission planning.
   2. Participates in forums monitoring organized markets as they pertain to transmission access, rights, settlements, strategy, and related operational and commercial impacts.
   3. Monitors transmission providers' planning processes, business practices, and regulatory developments.
   4. Reviews and evaluates FERC, NERC, WECC, transmission provider, and market-related developments that may affect UAMPS' transmission arrangements or operations.
   5. Communicates relevant developments, impacts, and recommended actions to the Managing Director of Transmission & Operations.
6. Assumes responsibility for maintaining professional relations with members, transmission providers, business partners, and external contacts.
   1. Develops and maintains relationships with members, other utilities, industry experts, transmission providers, regulatory contacts, consultants, and internal departments.
   2. Communicates requirements, timelines, and transmission-related information clearly and professionally.
   3. Works with members and business partners to support UAMPS' ability to effectively meet obligations to its members.
   4. Maintains professional and productive relations with members and transmission counterparties.
   5. Projects a positive image of UAMPS to outside contacts.
7. Assumes responsibility for maintaining effective communication, coordination, and working relationships with area personnel and other departments.
   1. Keeps the Managing Director of Transmission & Operations, area personnel, and other departments well informed of transmission information, interconnection activities, contract matters, and significant concerns.
   2. Coordinates with Planning, Operations, Legal, Accounting, Member Services, and other internal departments as required.
   3. Performs special studies or analyses to support transmission planning, market, contract, and operational efficiency.
   4. Makes suggestions to improve transmission administration, interconnection processes, contract management, reporting, and procedures.
   5. Works to minimize transmission-related costs and risks associated with UAMPS operations.
   6. Works within company policies and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
8. Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned.
   1. Ensures that the work area is clean, secure, and well maintained.
   2. Stays informed of industry, market, transmission, regulatory, and power trends.
   3. Attends professional meetings, seminars, industry forums, and training opportunities as assigned.
   4. Completes special projects as assigned.

Performance Measurements

1. Transmission service and interconnection applications, queue requirements, contract obligations, and related deadlines are managed accurately and timely.
2. Short-term, long-term, network, point-to-point, and legacy transmission service agreements are effectively administered and supported.
3. Transmission contract records, reports, applications, and related documentation are accurate, current, complete, and in compliance with established policies.
4. Business practice impacts, whether driven by the market operator, transmission provider, regulatory body, or other external party, are monitored and communicated effectively.
5. Management is clearly and timely informed of potential transmission service impacts, interconnection matters, regulatory developments, and significant problems.
6. Good coordination and effective working relations exist with internal personnel, members, business partners, transmission providers, and other external contacts.
7. Suggestions are provided to improve transmission administration, interconnection processes, contract management, reporting, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Education/Certifications

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of work experience and education.

Advanced degree, technical training, or direct utility transmission experience preferred for Transmission Specialist placement.

Required Knowledge

Knowledge of power, transmission, and utility operations and procedures.

Understanding of transmission planning, transmission service agreements, interconnection processes, OASIS, WECC transmission footprint concepts, organized markets, and related regulatory or contractual processes.

Knowledge of transmission rights, transmission access, service obligations, and business practices preferred.

Knowledge of FERC, NERC, WECC, transmission provider, and market-related processes preferred.

Required Experience

Transmission Associate level: 0-5 years of related experience in the energy industry, utility operations, contracts, project coordination, transmission, interconnection, regulatory support, or related business functions.

Transmission Specialist level: 5+ years of direct utility transmission experience, including experience with transmission planning, transmission service, transmission contracts, interconnection processes, OASIS, business practices, and regulatory agencies including NERC and FERC.

Transmission Specialist placement also requires demonstrated experience independently analyzing complex issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing practical recommendations related to transmission arrangements, interconnection processes, transmission service requests, or organized market impacts.

Experience with generation interconnection and transmission service request queues, processes, and procedures preferred.

Experience with organized markets as they relate to transmission access, rights, settlements, strategy, and related operational and commercial impacts preferred.

Experience participating in or supporting transmission rate, regulatory, interconnection, or contract-related proceedings preferred.

Required Skills/Abilities
• Excellent planning skills.
• Able to organize, summarize, and report data.
• Solid oral and written communication abilities.
• Able to develop industry contacts, establish relationships, influence positions, and support negotiated outcomes.
• Able to work in a team environment with a strong ability to think independently and facilitate cooperation.
• Highly organized and able to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Able to analyze issues, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical recommendations.
• Able to use basic algebra and geometry.
• Able to apply logical or scientific thinking to define problems, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Able to read and comprehend a variety of published materials.
• Able to prepare written documents using proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Willingness to travel.
• Able to use all related hardware and software applications, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Adobe, and Zoom.

Working Conditions

No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions. (Such as in a typical office).

25% travel

Additional Details

This position follows UAMPS' hybrid work policy and requires a minimum of three days per week in the office (Monday-Wednesday).

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical, dental, life, and AD&D insurance for employees and their family
• Employer-funded 401(a) pension plan
• Bonus program
• 11 paid federal holidays
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Parental leave

Salary Range

Transmission Associate level: $74,257-$111,386 annually (DoE)

Transmission Specialist level: $94,200-$141,300 annually (DoE)