Transmission Planner - Electrical Engineer I/II/III/Sr

Ideal Candidate Statement:

We are seeking an electrical engineer with a strong understanding of the transmission system and its regulatory environment. The ideal candidate will have experience navigating requirements from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), as well as proficiency in transmission modeling tools—specifically GE Vernova’s PlanOS (formerly PSLF).

As a cooperative with deep roots in distribution, we have expanded our responsibilities to include transmission operations. While the primary focus of this role is transmission planning, the position will also involve cross-training on the distribution side of the business to support our integrated system approach.

This is a highly technical role that requires collaboration across multiple departments and stakeholders within the organization.

Internal Job Title: System Planner I/II/III/Sr

Position Purpose and Objectives:

Under the supervision of the System Planning Director, the System Planner I/II/III/Sr performs system planning and circuit studies/analysis of Transmission (115 to 230kV) and Distribution circuits (12.47 to 69kV) and develops remediations related to system expansion and improvements as needed; performs project engineering in order to complete plans, designs, cost estimates and construction of electric facilities with emphasis on safety, reliability, cost effectiveness and member satisfaction.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

System Planner I:

System Planner I is the entry level in the System Planner series. Under close to general supervision within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents perform a variety of engineering and administrative tasks of limited to moderate difficulty. Assignments are given in specific terms and are subject to frequent review while in progress and upon completion, except when tasks are well-defined by established standards, policies, and procedures. Assignments may cover the entire field of electrical engineering and may include other engineering and technical disciplines.

This class is distinguished from the intermediate-level System Planner II class by the routine nature and limited complexity of work assignments and the level of supervision received. Incumbents in the System Planner I classification report to the System Planning Director.

System Planner II: 

System Planner II is the intermediate career level in the engineering series. Under general supervision, within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents perform a variety of engineering and administrative tasks of moderate difficulty that require the use of some independent judgment. Assignments are given in general terms and are subject to periodic review during and after completion. Assignments may cover the entire field of electrical engineering and include other engineering and technical disciplines.

This class is distinguished from the entry-level System Planner I class by the increased complexity of work assignments, the level of independence with which they are performed, and the decreased level of supervision received. Incumbents in the System Planner II classification report to the System Planning Director.

System Planner III:

System Planner III is a fully proficient Engineer in the System Planner series. Under minimal supervision and within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents perform a variety of engineering and administrative tasks of greater complexity, requiring the use of independent judgment and creative ingenuity. Assignments are given in general terms and are subject to periodic review during and after completion. Assignments may cover the entire field of electrical engineering and include other engineering and technical disciplines.

This class is distinguished from the System Planner II class by the increased complexity of work assignments, the greater level of independence with which assignments are performed, and the further decreased level of supervision received. This class is distinguished from the advanced-level Senior System Planner class, which has responsibility for performing the most difficult and complex engineering assignments, may function as the engineer in charge of a project or program, and may direct the work of others. Incumbents in the System Planner III classification report to the System Planning Director.

Sr System Planner:

Sr System Planner is an advanced-level classification responsible for highly complex and critical engineering assignments with significant impact on system reliability and long-term planning. Working under very minimal supervision, incumbents exercise broad discretion and independent judgment to develop innovative solutions, establish planning standards, and lead major projects. Assignments often involve strategic initiatives, regulatory compliance, and integration of emerging technologies.

This class is distinguished from System Planner III by the scope and strategic nature of work, leadership in technical development, and responsibility for mentoring other planners. Incumbents report to the System Planning Director and may represent the organization in high-level technical and regulatory forums.

Essential Job Functions:

System Planner I/II/III/Sr

• Maintain and update transmission system models using GE Vernova’s PlanOS (formerly PSLF) and run power flow analyses.
• Represent United Power in various industry and energy market working groups and forums, such as those hosted by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), contributing expertise and industry insight.
• Support Power Supply by conducting stability studies (interactive data exchange and visualization modeling (.idev) and dynamic model files) for potential energy resource options.
• Develop and validate ratings for transmission facilities in compliance with industry standards. 
• Provide technical support to Power Supply in evaluating the viability of future generation resources.
• Ensure compliance with NERC transmission planning requirements through accurate documentation and analysis.
• Crosstrain in distribution planning to support integrated system operations.
• Represent the Engineering Department on internal committees and cross-functional teams as needed.
• Prepare and revise circuit diagrams, schematic drawings, and electrical diagrams based on system analyses.
•  Assist the System Planning Director in developing the Capital Construction Budget and Construction Work Plan annually. 
• Assist the System Planning Director in developing updates of the Long-Range Work Plan, the Capital Construction Budget, and the Construction Work Plan annually.
• Provide accurate and progressive engineering data to support the orderly and economic development of company facilities for present and future needs.
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with peers and stakeholders, promoting teamwork and a cooperative work environment.
• Performs data manipulation to support the activities previously described with the use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), Python, and SQL.    

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

System Planner I/ II/III/Sr

• Must be able to react to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.
• Advanced level of oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate in a team environment.
• Frequent use and application of technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of circuit diagrams, schematic drawings, and other electrical diagrams.
• Ability to learn and develop proficiency in various software applications such as SCADA, GIS, AMI, and programming.

System Planner II/III/Sr:

• Advanced knowledge of electrical transmission planning and design.
• Intermediate knowledge of electrical distribution planning and design.
• Advanced knowledge of United Power’s engineering analysis programs.
• Intermediate knowledge of SCADA systems.
• Intermediate knowledge of GIS software.
• Ability to develop approaches to support data and models to support engineering activities and other corporate projects that may require an engineering perspective.

Minimum Requirements:

Must hold a valid Colorado driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one.

Must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited* program.

*Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

System Planner I 

AND applicable experience in an engineering function.

System Planner II

AND at least three (3) years’ engineering experience and/or demonstrated ability to perform intermediate-level functions relevant to the position with reduced supervision. 

System Planner III

AND at least seven (7) years’ engineering experience and/or demonstrated ability to perform advanced-level functions relevant to the position with minimal supervision. 

Sr System Planner

AND at least ten (10) years’ engineering experience and/or demonstrated ability to perform advanced-level functions relevant to the position with minimal supervision.

Desired Qualifications:

Professional Engineer (PE) registration is desired but not required.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

No Supervisory Duties. May mentor or direct the work of lower-level engineers, administrative staff, or student interns.

Problem Solving:

Provides technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems. Solutions are imaginative, thorough, practicable, and consistent with United Power objectives.

Discretion/Latitude:

Works under general direction. Independently determines and develops an approach to solutions. Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives.

Liaison:

Frequent inter-organizational and outside member contacts. Represents United Power in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.

Essential Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Seventy percent (70%) of the time is spent sitting, twenty percent (20%) walking, and another ten percent (10%) standing. May occasionally need to lift forty pounds (40 lbs.)  Carrying, pushing, and pulling up to twenty-five pounds (25 lbs.) occasionally when using a tool chest or handling meters.
• Occasionally, balancing, climbing, handling, and the ability to feel objects will be necessary during line changes, line extensions, new substations, and substation improvements. 
• Frequently, it is necessary to be able to stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Talking to exchange ideas and to communicate with other employees in various offices is done constantly with ordinary tones. Constantly needs to hear ordinary conversation and the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Constantly need to see “near” to prepare circuit diagrams and schematic drawings. It is constantly necessary to see far while driving. Depth perception is essential to driving. Eye accommodation and field of vision are necessary to perform detailed work and maintain safety factors.
• Mental abilities constantly necessary to competently perform the job are alertness, precision, ingenuity, problem solving, analytic ability, persuasiveness, auditory discrimination, speaking ability, memory, creativity, concentration, judgment, writing ability, reasoning, imagination, initiative, patience, and visual discrimination. Abilities the job will require only occasionally are spatial perception, tactile discrimination, olfactory discrimination, and aesthetic sense.

Working Conditions:

Seventy percent (70%) of the System Planner’s work is completed indoors. Thirty percent (30%) of the work is done outdoors while exposed occasionally to extreme cold, extreme heat, and wet/humid conditions.

The noise level is estimated to be 50-60 decibels.

System Planners are occasionally exposed to hazards such as dust in the air, sunlight, and odors. Various mechanical and electrical hazards are present, including the risk of electrical burns.

Typical hiring range:

Level I: $91,300 - $101,830 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of $112,360 

Level II: $97,700 - $114,150 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of $130,600 

Level III: $119,800 - $143,185 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of $166,570 

Senior: $134,900 - $164,950 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of $195,000

NOTE: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other job responsibilities as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.

Management reserves the right to change position descriptions, specifications, or work schedules to accommodate individuals with disabilities or as needed.

This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Screening Notice: This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening, consistent with Colorado law and federal regulations. Applicants should be aware that a positive drug test—including for marijuana—may disqualify them from employment, as permitted under Colorado law. Additional information about our drug-testing policy will be provided during the hiring process.

United Power is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. United Power prohibits discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, military or veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.

Salary : $91,300 - $101,830