Risk Engineer, Operations and Planning, Staff

Western Electricity Coordinating Council; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-eligible

Job summary

WECC in Salt Lake City, Utah, seeks a Staff Risk Engineer, Operations and Planning, to analyze risks to the bulk power system and help implement risk-based monitoring for registered entities. The role emphasizes reliability, security, and CMEP activities, with travel about 15% anticipated.

This remote-eligible position allows candidates in the lower 48 states to apply; WECC headquarters are in Utah, and the role requires collaboration across WECC teams and external stakeholders, delivering

Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience in a transmission or generation discipline.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering may be substituted for experience.
• Experience in EMS/SCADA, protection, or planning preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, quantify, and articulate risks to determine overall program effectiveness.
• Coordinate internal controls assessment activities into CMEP processes.
• Work with WECC Reliability and Security Oversight and CMEP teams to support monitoring.
• Participate in coordination of annual risk-based monitoring plans and scopes.
• Ensure projects and deliverables are of high quality and on time.
• Identify and implement process improvements to boost efficiency and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Power system knowledge

Transmission planning

EMS/SCADA

Cybersecurity awareness

PC literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Risk Engineer, Operations and Planning, Staff Remote Worker - N/A Oversight Planning

Full-time

Be a Part of Something that Matters

At WECC, we enhance the lives of 90 million people by identifying and mitigating risks to the bulk power system in the West. We are seeking a Risk Engineer, Operations and Planning to help us further our mission and achieve our business goals.

The Staff Risk Engineer, Operations and Planning analyzes registered entity operation and planning practices to determine the risks to the reliability and security of the bulk power system (BPS). This role works with registered entities—owners and operators of the BPS—to implement risk-based monitoring plans. This role reviews BPS events, such as energy management system (EMS) failures, loss of generation or load, and non-convergence of power flow models. The Staff Risk Engineer, Operations and Planning serves as a subject matter expert to other WECC departments and registered entities. This role delivers presentations at workshops, webinars, and conferences about the application of O&P standards to transmission facilities, generation facilities, and control center operations.

While WECC's headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this position is remote-eligible for candidates residing in the lower 48 U.S. states. Time spent traveling is expected to be a minimum of 15% for this role, though business needs may require additional travel on occasion.

You will—

• Analyze, quantify, and articulate risks concerning cybersecurity, physical security, and operations and planning disciplines to determine overall program effectiveness in advancing grid reliability and security.
• Coordinate the implementation of internal controls assessment activities into all aspects of CMEP activities.
• Work with teams throughout the Reliability and Security Oversight group and WECC to support the success of all aspects of the CMEP.
• Participate in coordination efforts and discussions of annual risk-based monitoring plans and entity-specific monitoring scopes based on prioritized risks.
• Ensure various departmental projects and work products are of excellent quality and completed on time.
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen the program’s efficiency and effectiveness, and boost stakeholder engagement.
• Work with CMEP colleagues within WECC and the ERO Enterprise on oversight planning and internal controls activities.
• Build relationships, educate, and inform industry stakeholders about CMEP activities and approaches supporting the Reliability and Security Oversight vision and strategies.
• Develop and track important programs that lead to accomplishing WECC’s annual scorecard metrics.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You will enjoy this role if you—

• Understand the power system, with three or more years of relevant industry experience in a transmission or generation discipline.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field may be substituted for experience.
• Relevant industry experience in at least two or more of the following areas:
• Transmission system operator
• EMS or SCADA engineering
• Protection system maintenance or design
• Transmission planning
• Substation maintenance or design
• Transmission line maintenance or design
• Possess strong computer literacy and proficiency using PCs, including a working knowledge of common applications such as those in the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Understand and adhere to sound principles of cybersecurity, including protecting sensitive information, using secure passwords, and following organizational cybersecurity protocols.

Our Culture and Values

• Our people and our work matter.
• Everyone is invited to be a leader.
• Independence, perspective, and partnership are how we add value.
• Intellectual curiosity, empowerment, and accountability fuel meaningful results.
• Continuous improvement and innovation are essential.
• We act with intention and focused urgency in everything we do.

Benefits and Compensation

The base salary range for this full-time position is $96,000–$120,900 + discretionary pay + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and mid-point for the position across all locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

WECC offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan, and generous paid personal time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We foster an organizational culture that values the visible and invisible qualities that make individuals who they are. When individuals bring their whole selves to work, without apprehension, we, as WECC, will meet our mission now and in the future.

WECC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.