What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Reliability Models and Studies position at SERC Reliability Corporation?
SERC OVERVIEW
SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC) is one of six Regional Entities in North America authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) through delegation agreements with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). SERC is responsible for promoting the reliability and security of the bulk power system across the southeastern and central United States.
SERC's footprint spans approximately 630,000 square miles and serves more than 97 million people, including all or portions of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The electric grid is essential to public health, safety, and economic stability. SERC's mission is to reduce risks to the reliability and security of the bulk power system through effective and efficient oversight, analysis, and collaboration.
To support this mission, SERC maintains a multidisciplinary team of experts and works closely with industry stakeholders, neighboring Regional Entities, NERC, and federal partners. These partnerships enable informed, pragmatic, and impactful approaches to emerging and evolving reliability challenges.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Reliability Models & Studies team is part of SERC's Reliability Assessment, Performance Analysis, and Technical Services (RAPA) Department. The team leads the development of steady-state and dynamic models, evaluates transmission reliability and resource adequacy, identifies emerging risks, provides input to regional reliability assessments to support the resilience of the bulk power system, and leads technical committees.
The Manager of Reliability Models and Studies plays a critical role in supporting SERC's mission to ensure the reliability and security of the bulk power system. This position is responsible for leading a team focused on creating and analyzing transmission models and conducting system studies that evaluate transmission and resource adequacy needs. The manager will drive complex analyses, provide strategic insights, and work on stakeholder communication in reliability, modeling, engineering, and planning.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the development and validation of transmission models, including power flow, stability, and contingency analyses to ensure grid reliability.
- Supervise power system simulation software use (e.g., PSS/E, TARA, SERVM) to support model development and conduct transmission and resource adequacy studies.
- Provide strategic direction and technical support in alignment with ERO Rules of Procedure and Delegation Agreement.
- Manage a team of engineers, program managers, and technical support resources, overseeing recruitment, training, and professional development.
- Build trusted relationships with stakeholders to ensure effective communication and ongoing engagement on reliability issues.
- Coordinate SERC's internal projects to support stakeholder engagement, enhance reliability, and align with the organization's mission and vision.
- Engage with SERC Technical Committees and Study Groups to guide reliability activities and ensure regional alignment on delegated functions.
- Develop and implement analysis and communication strategies to address regional risks in modeling and studies.
- Represent SERC in regulatory and industry forums (e.g., FERC, NERC), presenting insights, findings, and recommendations.
- Conduct reliability studies to identify potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for enhancing grid resilience, fostering a culture of accountability and technical excellence.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proven track record in managing complex, high-stakes projects, including technical support and ensuring timely and accurate project completion.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to oversee and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability and collaboration.
- In-depth understanding of the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) structure and function.
- Exceptional communication skills, adept at conveying information across all organizational levels, including face-to-face, phone, email, and presentations.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), leveraging these tools for effective project documentation, analysis, and reporting.
- Skilled in building and maintaining trusted relationships with SERC stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and continued engagement.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- A bachelor's degree in engineering is required; a master's degree is preferred.
- 10 years of experience in the electric utility industry or equivalent required.
- Preferred experience in operations, planning, and/or regulatory activities in a related industry field, ideally with exposure to NERC and FERC.
- Required experience supervising teams, groups, and/or projects of technical specialists.
- Recent demonstrated experience in strategic planning, group dynamics, critical thinking, business operations, project & time management, leadership, effective communication & administration.
COMMITMENT TO CULTURE:
SERC is dedicated to being a highly desirable place to work through culture and purpose. We place a strategic focus on critical elements such as Innovation & Collaboration, Organizational Development & Talent Management. Through this strategic focus, SERC has identified its four values we believe keep us on the path of the relentless pursuit of better.
COMPANY VALUES:
- Leader - Is trustworthy, principled, and respectful and strive to create value that reduces risk. Has a positive vision and is actively building support to execute it. A leader takes personal accountability for the outcomes of their choices and actions, acts with professionalism and adapts to change in a calm and positive manner. A leader will, when appropriate, ask questions and recommend alternative solutions to new processes or procedures.
- Collaborative - Partner and engage, both internally and externally, to drive meaningful action by leveraging skills, knowledge and tools. This would include effective written and verbal communication to ensure ideas and messages are clearly and concisely conveyed, being responsive to all stakeholders, understanding goals and objectives while exceeding key metrics and targets. Encourages dialog and candor while making it safe for others to voice their opinion to ensure all alternative viewpoints are heard, they are an active listener.
- Expert - Being credible, objective, disciplined, and sought after to help with continuous learning, improvements, and innovations. Exhibit knowledge of and ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulations. Take initiative to set priorities and convey important information in a timely and efficient manner. Employ good judgment when evaluating a problem by analyzing risk and identifying consequences while demonstrating a sense of organizational stewardship.
- Purposeful - Proactively demonstrate initiative, intentionality and resourcefulness to help anticipate and navigate current and future challenges. Committed to the quality of work and ensures work is delivered at appropriate deadlines while seeking operational efficiencies. Initiate appropriate follow-up while leveraging industry knowledge and business acumen to make appropriate decisions. Treat others with compassion and empathy and embrace the organization's mission and vision while providing meaningful contributions to organizational endeavors.
If the traits and characteristics listed in our values resonate with you, we encourage you to apply!
SALARY/BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is DOE. We offer a generous PTO package; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan with an organization contribution of up to 14%.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Hybrid work environment
- Dedicated office; Report to office 3-days per week
- Ability to travel as needed.
SERC is an Equal Opportunity Employer