Operations Engineer

As the nation’s first statewide, “transmission only” company, VELCO manages the safe, reliable, cost-effective transmission of electric power throughout Vermont and as a part of the integrated New England regional network.

Why you should join our team

The electric system in Vermont is undergoing a profound transformation. The Operations Engineer is responsible for ensuring our System Operators have the information and procedures necessary to operate the VELCO transmission system safely and reliably.

How You Will Make An Impact

The Operations Engineer will develop and maintain operating procedures, transmission operating guides, operating instructions, and additional guidance in compliance with applicable standards for the safe and reliable operation of the VELCO transmission system with supervision of an appropriate subject matter expert. The Associate Engineer will learn to perform and coordinate impact analysis and operational studies in the support of the day-to-day operation of the VELCO control center and will ensure Operations’ activity and work products are conducted safely and in compliance with North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards and other regulatory requirements. Must work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

- Maintain an awareness of all regulatory standards, procedures, criteria and ongoing changes. With appropriate supervision, learn to coordinate Operations compliance activity and submit documentation per VELCO’s compliance program. Meet imposed deadlines, coordinate efforts for achieving and maintaining audit readiness and ensure that VELCO Operating procedures and practices are in compliance with all applicable NERC standards.

- Learn to perform the necessary load-flow studies for operating the transmission system in an efficient, safe and reliable manner. Support the VELCO Outage Coordinators by performing or coordinating contingency/impact analysis (load-flows) for planned system outages in assessing, understanding and managing risk.

- Coordinate system changes and modifications with the Vermont Distribution Utilities, VELCO Planning, Engineering, Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Field Services.

- Learn to develop and maintain detailed control center operating procedures and guidelines including substation and transmission line procedures. Ensure the Operations department is apprised, or trained if applicable, on all new and revised ISO-NE procedures and guidelines pertinent to VELCO’s operation.

- Work closely with the Operations Trainer on the development of training programs and the assessment of training needs for the VELCO system operators and support staff. Assist in the training of the VELCO system operators and support staff on new or modified systems.

- Provide support and analytical guidance for the VELCO system operators, operations trainer, system planners, field technical personnel and the Vermont distribution utilities.

- Review switching plans, maintenance requests and commissioning guides with the VELCO outage coordinators.

- Update and maintain the VELCO system and one-line diagrams. Ensure that the Control Center and Backup Control Centers’ operating documentation is current.

- Provide guidance and support for the VELCO switching and tagging program to ensure that safe practices are observed and utilized in the performance of switching and tagging.

- Support VELCO EMS staff in updating, testing, validating and troubleshooting the SCADA networks application model.

- Represent VELCO on various working groups and committees within Vermont and ISO-NE.

- Provide functional backup for the Director of Operations, Compliance and System Protection.

- Participate on strategic teams in alignment with company core behaviors.

- Actively support the company’s strategic initiatives in support of the company’s mission and vision.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Who You Are

A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related Engineering field is expected. A concentration in Power Systems is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

- Understanding and knowledge of key players: Vermont distribution utilities, ISO-NE, NGRID, CONVEX and their impact on the VELCO transmission system.

- Proficiency with tools and applications utilized to aid in the simulation of system conditions and load flow and security analysis skills.

- Knowledge of Vermont transmission, sub-transmission and interconnecting electric systems and/or the ability to rapidly learn and apply understanding of the systems is expected.

- Superior written and verbal communication skills.

- Excellent organizational skills.

- Excellent critical thinking skills.

- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

- Excellent skills with Microsoft suite.

- Be extremely detail-oriented and accurate.

Compensation Range

$67,828.80 - $106,132.00 - $144,435.20/salary

This compensation range represents the minimum, midpoint and maximum pay for this position. Individual offers will be based on various factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, education, skills, competencies, and experience. Please note that most offers for new employees fall under the midpoint of the range, allowing room for continued salary growth. Base pay is just one component of our total compensation package, which may also include comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off and incentive compensation (bonus) potential.

Important Considerations

- Visit Velco.com for additional information on VELCO culture, benefits, and the recruiting process.

- We are an equal opportunity employer, and ALL qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

- VELCO is handling all aspects of talent acquisition internally and will not engage the services of third-party staffing agencies, recruiters, or headhunters. We kindly request that these entities refrain from contacting us.

- Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successful reference check, background check (including social media check), physical examination, drug screening.

If you need an accommodation as part of the application or interview process, please send a request to careers@velco.com