Manager Power Operations Training

Minimum Pay Rate: $148,632.00

Maximum Pay Rate: $196,920.00

Apply by Date: 04/10/2023

Posting Type: Open

Purpose
Under the general direction of the Director of Transmission Planning and Operations (TP&O), develops and maintains the SMUD Power System Operations Training Workgroup, provides technical oversight and guidance to the Power System Operations Training Workgroup, provides NERC Continuous Education training to Power System Operations control room personnel, and all other classifications mandated by NERC or other grid generation and operating standards regarding the operation, control and monitoring of the Balancing Authority of Northern California (BANC) Balancing Authority and SMUD’s generation, transmission and gas pipeline facilities, and ensure safe, reliable and secure, and compliant operation of SMUD’s gas and electric systems.

To be considered for this position, please submit responses to the following questions in the cover letter portion of your application:

1. Describe your experience with operator training for real-time operations of a Balancing Authority and/or Transmission Operator Area.  Include your years of experience, where and when your experience was acquired.
2. Describe your leadership experience, specifically as it relates to instructors and operations personnel for real-time operations of a Balancing Authority and/or Transmission Operator Area.  Describe other leadership experience you may have.
3. Describe your experience with NERC Reliability Standards, Compliance Enforcement Programs, and Compliance Audits. Include your years of experience, where and when your experience was acquired.
4. Describe your approach and experience in leading operator training programs.  Include your years of experience, and where and when your experience was acquired.
5. Describe a systematic approach to training, and describe the process you have utilized to develop operator training.

Nature and Scope
Assists in the development, implementation and management of department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities in partnership with the department Director. Supervises staff who analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate training and continuing education needs in support of the Power System Operations control room personnel, other SMUD departments, and entities inside the BANC Balancing Authority as required. Conducts new hire (Power System Operator (Entry Level)) recruitment, evaluations, pre-testing, and interviewing; selects, trains, motivates, evaluates, and develops subordinate personnel and ensures that department strategic objectives and priorities are achieved and coordinated with other departments. Participates in industry-related training and other activities to remain abreast of industry standards.

Duties and Responsibilities
Work may include, but is not limited to, the following: (NOTE: While in general all the functions and requirements listed are essential, individual positions and/or locations may not require all duties be performed.)

• As a NERC Continuing Education Provider, supervises and directs the Power System Operations Training Unit staff to design, develop and implement educational and training programs to meet NERC regulatory compliance and reliability standards, and provides such training for all groups, including NERC Certified Power System Operators, to maintain regulatory compliance and enhance employees skills, knowledge and career opportunities, while fostering SMUD Balancing Authority and SMUD reliability. To ensure NERC regulatory compliance and reliability standards to all applicable classifications.
• Assesses the need for new training programs or enhancements by evaluating the effectiveness of current programs; consults with staff to ensure training meets operational needs as well as NERC and SMUD mandates; evaluates training programs to ensure quality standards are met; evaluates and incorporated new technology into curriculum; and develops and monitors performance measurements, metrics and performance plans.
• To ensure the quality, effectiveness, and technological relevance of the department training programs are met and measured against employee performance and against SMUD and NERC mandates.
• Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates training programs for electric and gas pipeline operations staff by providing on-the-job and classroom training; ensures the progress of employees in training; provides on-the-job feedback and guidance as necessary; and coordinates work scheduling to accommodate necessary training activities.
• To ensure effective training of Power System Operators for maximum efficiency and cost-effective operation, control and monitoring of SMUD’s energy resources and systems.
  Oversees the design, development and implementation of the System Operations and
• Reliability Department’s training programs to ensure that they meet operational needs and regulatory compliance and reliability standards; reviews, evaluates and selects Computer Based Training CBT, videotapes/films/written training and educational materials to supplement in-house training and education programs; works with System Operations and Reliability Program Managers to ensure that the most effective training programs are implemented within prescribed training budgets; works with the Energy Supply Training Coordinators and recommends training programs that are designed to meet SMUD’s safety and inclusion goals; designs and develops training programs based on performance gaps; designs and develops course content specific to new hires; and reviews lesson plans and course content to ensure training needs are addressed. Supports Power System Operations, Power Operations Engineering and Energy Management Systems group to develop and maintain the Operator Training Simulator and associated training material. To ensure effective, timely, appropriate training of all relevant staff, and to adhere to SMUD safety, inclusion and budget requirements.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts and/or coordinates course instructions; coordinates with Supervisor of Power System Operations to schedule shift personnel for assigned training sessions; coordinates facilities, equipment, and announcements; tracks attendance and develops report for personnel who are in non-compliance; develops training programs that minimize impact on SMUD operations; incorporates significant maintenance and operation requirements; documents employee training, certification, qualifications and regulatory-mandated training; coordinates programs presented by outside trainers; conducts post-course evaluation; directs and coordinates, as assigned, other SMUD personnel assigned to develop and conduct training; serves as point-of-contact related to training programs; and maintains training material and equipment. To ensure regulatory and SMUD-mandated training course delivery, attendance, and post-course skills evaluation, with minimal impact to SMUD operations.
• Supports the SMUD Balancing Area and SMUD’s skills and knowledge needs by maintaining the job task and analysis and by identifying training opportunities; performs job/task and needs analysis; performs feasibility studies; develops skills assessments and performs gap analysis; and researches and selects training programs and software to maintain the skills and knowledge needs required. To ensure the SMUD Balancing Area and SMUD’s skills and knowledge needs are met by performing various analyses, skills assessments and research.
• Assists in planning, reviewing and conducting work activities and researches required project information associated with internal/external department projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract. To ensure project plan/contract objectives and schedules are met by planning and research.
• Contributes to the effective management of the Department by participating in the development of new procedures and policies; coordinates with other unit supervisors in planning of department goals and budgets; produces accurate and timely reports; and provides to management reports of training related items.. To participate in Energy Management System upgrade and improvement to maximum monitoring and control of SMUD power system.
• Assists in the administration of internal/external projects by assisting in identifying project objectives; identifying internal/external project team within area of responsibility; assisting in the development of Request for Proposals where applicable; participating in developing project plans including schedule, cost, key work products, and milestones; monitoring project progress and completion in area of responsibility against plan/contract; monitoring and revising schedules, scope, expenditures and assignments as warranted; reviewing work products; assisting in resolving conflicts and discrepancies; maintaining project records and files; and participating in the overall review of the completed project results and making recommendations for next steps. To support the overall achievement of department projects by ensuring area of responsibility meets project scope, budget, schedule, quality, and SMUD policy standards.

The full listing of duties and responsibilities can be accessed here.

Required Experience Qualifications
Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience with an electric or gas generation and transmission utility, with ten (10) years in control room operations i.e., interconnected system operations, emergency operations, and restoration procedures. Of the total years required, a minimum of five (5) years as a Senior Shift Supervisor and/or a minimum of four (4) years in training electrical system operators by a Standard Approach to Training such as criterion-referenced instruction is required. Proven ability to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate training related to electric utility industry and experience implementing and maintaining enterprise applications software in support of training processes. Experience approving and providing NERC Continuous Education Training is required.

Required Licenses/Certificates
NERC Reliability Authority or System Operator Certification required. Certification from accredited organization in the area of adult education/training/learning programs.

Knowledge Of
Methods and techniques for training staff; concepts related to evaluating and recording performance results; performance measurement development and application; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and strategies for public speaking; procedures and practices for overseeing contractor’s/consultant’s work activities; characteristics and operational needs of various organizational units; principles and practices of program evaluation; methods and techniques for record keeping; concepts of training and learning principles, concepts of instructional design and development; strategies related to career development, coaching and mentoring and employee motivation policies; concepts of technical training standards and requirements associated with work processes; methods and techniques track skills; safety policies, practices and procedures; practices for delegating, assigning and reviewing work assignments; techniques and concepts related to teamwork; SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOU???s and other special agreements; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; procedures and practices related to SMUD???s electric and gas pipeline operations; power and gas pipeline system operating and design principles, concepts and techniques; safety and construction codes and practices; electrical theory; state and local inspection requirements; electrical transmission system design and operations; principles of substation design, construction and operations; system operating procedures; construction standards, equipment, apparatus and applicable codes, including G; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards; O.95 and 128; industry reliability rules, standards and practices; load flow and stability calculations; principles and practices of power system planning.

Skills To
Supervise a group to ensure cohesiveness among the team; assess how well one is doing when learning or performing a task; identify, assess and coordinate training needs for staff; provide input to performance evaluations for the work of others; develop creative ways to solve a problem; generate innovative or clever ideas about a given topic or situation; research, analyze and provide recommendations to achieve SMUD objectives; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; teach individuals or groups in a classroom or work area environment; use training and presentation materials and software for effective communication, understanding and retention; determine the best training techniques to use on a wide variety of subject matters; use independent judgment; take initiative and make sound decisions; facilitate development of teams; motivate employees and resolve conflicts when they occur; coach and mentor personnel in the training area; translate complex terminology into non-technical terms; prioritize work in a matrixed organization with multiple internal customers; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely to individuals or groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information; analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate technical training; prepare training schedules; serve as a reference person for other employees; establish and maintain effective tracking systems for skills and knowledge inventory; and direct and coordinate the work of others involved with technical training; provide highly technical expertise related to SMUD operating procedures, policies and practices affecting the work unit; respond to requests for information and inquiries from SMUD personnel and outside agencies; read and interpret complex documents and drawings; adhere to applicable personnel laws, codes and regulations; plan, organize, direct, control, and review the work of others; coach, mentor, motivate, influence, challenge and develop subordinate staff, or terminate. Prepare and implement safety plans, procedures and practices for unit; coordinate the work of the function or unit with other SMUD entities; establish, manage, monitor and update budget; interpret and apply SMUD policies procedures, applicable MOU and/or other special agreements; analyze routine and abnormal conditions and take appropriate actions; operate a real-time computerized energy management system; make accurate decisions while working long hours and under emergency conditions; recognize unsafe conditions and act accordingly; recognize system deficiencies and make recommendations for corrective action; respond quickly to changing priorities; perform complex technical planning analysis; monitor, evaluate and manage projects; anticipate problems and apply innovative and creative techniques in their resolution; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Education
A Bachelors Degree from an accredited university

Desirable Experience
Experience as a Reliability Coordinator.
Electric operations training experience in Extra High Voltage, interconnected operations, using an operator training simulator (OTS) /dispatcher training simulator (DTS).

Physical Requirements
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

On-site Work

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD’s campuses daily to complete work tasks.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) – Who We Are

As the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we’re proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they’re “Happy, satisfied and engaged” which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers.

Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state’s sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country’s top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er’s aren’t far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater.