Job description

Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers.

At Platte River, we share a sense of purpose and pride in the value we add to our communities, our region and the energy industry. We rely on our staff to sustain our leadership role in the region and to help us work toward our goal to achieve a 100% noncarbon energy mix within the next decade. To accomplish this, we offer competitive pay and benefits, state-of-the-art workplaces at both headquarters and the Rawhide Energy Station, and the following unique benefits:

• Onsite, fully-equipped gym facilities
• Fleet cars for use by staff for local business travel
• Employee rewards, health and financial wellness programs
• Volunteer days and opportunities to participate in community events
• Culture of respect, commitment and camaraderie

If you’re searching for a collaborative working environment within a mid-sized organization that values innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and provides opportunities to make a difference, consider joining the Platte River team.

Job summary
The senior planning engineer is responsible for transmission planning and supports transmissions operations and engineering. This individual is also responsible for evaluating interconnection standards and transmission feasibility, system impact, and facility studies.

Platte River is seeking to hire one planning engineer at either this senior, or a junior level (see Planning Engineer job posting).

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Models the mission, vision, values, and culture of the organization
• Responsible for developing annual ten-year transmission plan for the short-term and long-term planning horizons
• Evaluates transmission system and identifies potential risks or opportunities for enhancement and proposes improvement recommendations
• Communicates power system requirements and transmission plans to operators, staff, and interconnected utilities
• Maintains WECC base case preparation
• Validates system modeling data
• Develops and maintains reliability criteria and assessment practices
• Performs interconnection studies
• Creates and maintains complex written reports, tables, diagrams, and presentations
• Develops and maintains programs, tools, and procedures to meet requirements of regulatory agencies and industry standards
• Ensures compliance with NERC, WECC, and FERC reliability and reporting requirements
• Prepares and manages compliance documentation
• Provides backup coverage for operating assessments and planned outage studies
• Represents Platte River in various groups and technical committees
• Researches emerging issues, standards, and advancements related to the power industry
• Maintains familiarity with and follows the FERC Standards of Conduct
• This role is classified as a transmission function employee and actively is engaged in transmission

Other functions

• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Ability to setup, perform, and analyze results of transmission system steady-state power flow and dynamic transient stability studies
• Strong knowledge and background in PSS/E and/or Powerworld power system analysis software with automation experience utilizing the Python programming language
• Strong knowledge of transmission system steady-state and transient stability modeling of generation resources, transmission lines, and applicable substation equipment
• Strong knowledge of protection systems, operating procedures, load-shedding generators, transformers, transmission elements, and load as they relate to power system modeling and simulations
• Knowledge of industry practices of electric reliability organizations, reliability coordinators and balancing authorities
• Knowledge of NERC/WECC reliability standards
• Ability to collaborate with and desire to seek input from internal team members; skilled in seeking and valuing diverse opinions and ideas
• Ability to multi-task, shifting focus to emerging priorities as needed
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to relay complex information
• Ability to apply problem solving, critical thinking, and independent decision-making skills, with consistent attention to detail
• Ability to drive innovative change and successfully implement projects

Qualifications
Education and licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field of study from an accredited university
• Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy

Work experience and education

• Six years of experience in engineering or planning of electric transmission systems
• Five years of experience in transmission system planning or operations

Physical demands

• Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed and minimal.

Hazards

• Minimal exposure to hazards are typically found in general office environment where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident

Work environment

• Exposure to routine office noise and equipment

Bi-weekly salary range for position: $4,760 - $6,545 (placement DOQ)
(range if annualized: $123,765 - $170,169)

Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefits offered for this position may include the following:

• Health insurance options including a PPO and high deductible health savings account with prescription drug coverage
• Telemedicine
• Benefit advocacy
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending plan
• Basic life insurance
• Basic accidental death and disability
• Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options (voluntary)
• Accidental death and disability insurance (voluntary)
• Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement plans 401a defined contribution plan 457b deferred compensation plan
• Paid holidays (12 annually)
• Paid time off: personal and sick leave
• Wellness program
• In-house training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement Employee assistance program

For additional information, please see our website careers page at: https://www.prpa.org/careers/benefits/

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Platte River endeavors to make our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please call us at 970-229-5323 or email recruiting@prpa.org.

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Platte River cannot provide employment to applicants who will require sponsorship now or in the future (i.e. H1B visa, OPT status).

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