Reliability Coordination Ops Specialist

Powered by water... and by people like you

Providing clean electricity to 4 million customers takes a diverse workforce and that’s where you come in. We need your talent to help us build major projects to meet growing demand. To help our customers find clean energy solutions for their homes and businesses and to be ready to respond during storms and outages to keep our system reliable.

Working for BC Hydro is meaningful. And now, the stakes have been raised as we work towards a solution to climate change while safely providing clean, affordable electricity to our customers.

We offer a healthy work life balance, training opportunities and career progression. We're proud to be ranked as one of B.C.'s Top Employers and one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers. Join us as we build an even cleaner B.C.

Duties:

The Provincial Reliability Coordination Operations’ department provides the Reliability Coordination for the province of British Columbia. The team is made up of 24x7 shift RC operations personnel and Monday to Friday engineering support personnel, reporting to a dedicated manager within BC Hydro’s Transmission and Distribution System Operations business group.

The Reliability Coordinator has the highest level of authority in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Functional Model in ensuring reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System. This role is focused on conducting real-time assessments and monitoring of the bulk electric system on a 24x7 shift basis, sharing results with other entities and coordination of operations to mitigate any potential or actual adverse system impacts. The Reliability Coordination Operations Specialists are the technical experts on the reliable operation of the bulk electric system encompassing the wide area view of B.C. and neighbouring electric systems.

Major Responsibilities and Duties :

* Provide oversight and appropriate real-time directives during normal and emergency conditions to ensure that the electrical grid in British Columbia is operated in a reliable manner in compliance with the British Columbia Utilities Commission approved Mandatory Reliability Standards.

* Maintain a wide area view of the Bulk Electric System and use advanced applications, processes and procedures to prevent or mitigate emergency operating situations in both real-time and day-ahead operations.

* Determine how to calculate System Operating Limits and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits which may be based on the operating parameters of transmission systems belonging to multiple entities.

* Conduct real-time system studies and contingency analyses to assess the reliability impact of transmission and generation outages and notify other entities of the assessment results.

* Direct and coordinate implementation of load shedding and system restoration procedures when necessary to comply with the IRO and EOP standards.

* Represent BC Hydro and other BC entities in the negotiation and application of agreements with other Reliability Coordinators within the Western Interconnection and influence overall reliable operations of the Western Interconnection through active participation in a variety of industry initiatives.

* Prepare Disturbance Analysis Reports and present the results to internal and external groups including WECC and NERC committees.

* Support gathering of compliance evidence and participate in annual certification, self-audits and regular BCUC sanctioned audits.

* Fulfill requirements to maintain NERC Reliability Coordinator certification.

* Provide mentorship and training to other members of the team.

Qualifications:

* Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology, or related field preferred.

* Education equivalency may be established with a combination of education, training, certifications, and extensive directly related operating experience.

* Ten years electric utility operations or transmission service environment required.

* Detailed knowledge and experience with specialized computer systems and applications such as EMS, DSA Tools, CROW, MODS, DCM and PI.

* The successful candidate shall have a valid B. C. Driver's license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note, we are hiring for two roles

Driver's License Type = Class 5 is a requirement

In addition, successful applicant is expected to fulfill the following requirements:

* Work a 24 x 7 rotating shift schedule with on-call coverage requirements.

* Completion of NERC Reliability Operator Certification within two to four months of being hired.

* Able and willing to travel to the US.

The following skill sets would be considered as assets:

*Experience managing technical staff *Excellent collaboration and leadership skills including confidence in public speaking and delivering training/presentations.

*Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

*Proven self-starter with the ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as individually. *Excellent computer skills including excel (pivot tables, formulas), Powerpoint, ability to write html code, etc.

*Strong familiarity with the operating policies and practices of electric companies located in British Columbia.

We're always looking for exceptional people to bring new ideas, fresh thinking and the motivation to help shape the electricity system in B.C. It's an exciting time to be a part of our team as we invest in our system and prepare to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Our values guide our work. Want to join us?

We are safe.

We are here for our customers.

We are one team.

We include everyone.

We act with integrity and respect.

We are forward thinking.

BC Hydro is an equal opportunity employer.

We include everyone. We welcome applications from anyone, including members of visible minorities, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

We are also happy to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the selection process and while working at BC Hydro. If you require support applying online because you are a person with a disability, please contact us at [email protected] .

All BC Hydro employees will be required to show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination.