Manager, Customer Access Studies

at  Alberta Electric System Operator

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director, Customer Access and Project Engineering, the Manager, Customer Access Studies, will oversee a team responsible for delivering customer access study work products in support of AESO’s connection process projects in Alberta. This role focuses on ensuring the timely and reliable completion of engineering studies activities, including study scope preparation, engineering report reviews, and planning mitigation measures for project violations. The manager will lead efforts in assessing engineering connections, addressing technical challenges, and ensuring regulatory support for project NID filings, which includes producing essential technical deliverables and mentoring team members to drive continuous improvements.
Collaboration with various AESO business units—such as forecasting, system planning, and regulatory—is essential for effective decision-making. Additionally, the position involves engaging with external stakeholders, including Transmission and Distribution Facility Owners, generator developers, and large load customers, to facilitate communication and support project delivery on behalf of the Project Manager. Through this cross-functional approach, the Manager will ensure that customer access studies are completed efficiently and effectively, contributing to the overall success of the organization’s projects.
This full-time permanent opportunity offers room for growth, competitive compensation, and a variable pay program. We also have paid vacation and flex time, health & dental benefits, a defined contribution pension plan, and learning and development opportunities as part of your overall compensation package.

SIGNS YOU WILL ENJOY WORKING IN THIS TEAM:

You thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to embark on transformative change.
You enjoy working in a team of bright professionals and participating in lively discussions.
You embrace change and pivot and adapt with ease.
You thrive in working in a diverse atmosphere -our team and colleagues have varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and you know how to bring the best out of each unique individual.

You enjoy creating engaging and empowering employee experiences including onboarding, coaching, performance management, technical and professional development, and growing your team’s capabilities and talents which range from early career to seasoned experts.
You understand technical, regulatory, and business perspectives and can convey complex information to a variety of audiences. Your expert opinion will be provided in external forums and internally to AESO senior leadership and decision makers as well as external stakeholders, communicating engineering aspects, findings, recommendations, and risks.
You can’t help identifying efficiencies, thinking about how to optimize, and your enthusiasm to always improve is contagious to others.
Key Accountabilities
Accountable for providing market participants with a reasonable opportunity to obtain system access service.
Support AESO initiatives and cross functional goals, and delivery of customer projects. Work with AESO Program managers to plan and allocate staff to meet cluster and large loads project needs and priorities appropriately.
Accountable for CAS technical decisions and is the owner of CAS functional business practices and quality control procedures which are implemented by CAS staff in support of connection projects.
Provide risk-based opinions or decisions considered factors such as engineering analysis, the AESOs legal/regulatory framework, economics (costs/benefits), customers, project management, and public interest.
Review high risk projects, guide and support CAS Engineers in evaluating the effectiveness of engineering solutions and provide risk-based guidance.
Leading a team of engineers and ensures that the engineering studies for all the projects are getting completed within the schedule.
Ensure technical work is carried out competently, with due diligence, and according to internal practices and processes, authenticate Engineering Connection Assessment, Connection Proposals and collaborate in relevant power system technical assessment.
Provide support to AESO Legal team in response to AUC regulatory proceedings, including responses for Information Requests, reviewing, and providing expert advice to proceeding exhibits and representing the AESO in regulatory proceedings.
Provide expert opinion in external forums and internally to AESO senior leadership and decision makers as well as external stakeholders, communicating engineering aspects, findings, recommendations, and risks.
Collaborate with AESO System Planning and Forecasting & Analytics in the development of the AESOs LTO, LTP and AESO system NIDs.
Prepare information for and participate in stakeholder meetings.
Maintain effective lines of communication with Market Participants to resolve technical issues.
Expert knowledge and understanding of power system behaviors (e.g. constraints/bottlenecks), LTP, and regional operational plans within their region of accountability. Collaborate with system planning in preparation of sections of the AESO’s Long Term Plan and operations planning for operational plans.
Consult with the Director, Customer studies and project Engineering as required.
Participate in industry organization committees (e.g., WECC and IEEE).
Skills and experiences that will support your success in this role:
B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering; registered or eligible for APEGA (P.Eng.).
10-12 years of professional experience in the electric utility industry
MSc. or Ph.D. in Electrical Power Systems is a plus.
Experience in leading and developing engineering teams.
Strong understanding of engineering study results from PSS/E and PSCAD.
Knowledge of power generation technologies, including combined cycle, peaker units, hydro, wind, solar, and energy storage.
Familiarity with transmission equipment, protection systems, power system analysis, and SCADA.
Understanding of the AESO tariff and regulatory framework.
Experience with transmission system operations, facility design, and remedial action schemes.
Skills in electromagnetic transient analysis and distribution/substation planning.
Application deadline: November 15, 2024
If you are contacted for a pre-screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.
The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the “AESO") is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) of Alberta.
As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid. As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 33 of the FOIP Act