SUMMARY

This position is part of the WAPA-SNR-Sierra Nevada Region. As a Program Manager (Power Operations), you will establish and enforce operational policies, technical standards, and procedures covering scheduling, accounting, billing, and transmission. The team represents WAPA in strategic power system matters and aligns operational initiatives with federal and regional stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate’s online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-14] in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

• Directing the safe and reliable operation of bulk electric power systems, including generation scheduling, transmission operations, system studies, and ensuring compliance with reliability standards.
• Managing power operations programs and supervising staff, including setting multi-year goals, directing transmission scheduling and billing systems, and overseeing workforce development.
• Negotiating and administering complex transmission, interconnection, and service agreements, representing an organization in regional or national power forums, and collaborating with federal agencies, utilities, and customer groups.

“Experience” refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

EDUCATION

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

DUTIES

As a Program Manager (Power Operations), you will:

• Serve as the Operations Manager responsible for the safe and reliable operation, planning, marketing, and managing transmission services for the region’s transmission system. Directs the monitoring of the regional transmission facilities and the facilities of others, within the regions operational footprint to ensure Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Midwest Reliability Organization (MRO), California Independent System Operator (ISO) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Reliability Standards are met in coordination with WAPA Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC).
• Be responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the Sierra Nevada Region’s transmission system, including coordination with all interconnected utilities and scheduling of generation resources to meet project and customer load obligations.
• Provide innovation leadership in providing products and services that meet customer needs in a competitive market. The position’s activities are extremely sensitive to political and public pressures as well as considerable resistance by utilities, organized customer groups, and/or individual customers because of the potential economic impacts associated with power operations of an interconnected transmission system.
• Provide administrative, managerial, and technical expertise to support the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs related to the Region’s transmission system. Collaborates with WAPA operations teams, regional operations and marketing teams, customers, customer groups, the Bureau of Reclamation and the US Army Corp of Engineers to develop and implement hydraulic and operational plans that support reliable power delivery for integrated irrigation and energy systems. Purview over negotiations for the power, energy, and reactive exchange schedules and operating agreements with major connected systems and the California ISO.
• Be responsible for directing activities with the Load Serving Entities (LSE) within the Sub-Balancing Authority and assisting the LSE’s in meeting their FERC/NERC reliability obligations.
• Direct the preparation of the Power Operation Procedures Manual and Switching Diagrams for use by operational personnel. Experience in the electric utility industry, including the interrelationship of transmission power contracting or commercial interest; regulatory agency policies; and real-time power system operations to designing management programs and processes to meet long-term operational needs.