SPP is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!
We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:
- Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
- Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Relocation bonus (if applicable)
- Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
- Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP
PLEASE NOTE: This position may not be performed remotely from California or New York City, NY, nor can SPP sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.
COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.
Senior Functional Coordinator Salary Range: $97,580 – $126,795
Lead Functional Coordinator Salary Range: $112,240 – $145,810
Overview
The Senior or Lead Functional Coordinator – Interchange Scheduling provides advanced technical expertise, operational support, and leadership to SPP's real-time operations staff. This position supports the Interchange Scheduling function and other operational areas by ensuring accurate interchange scheduling, modeling alignment, regulatory compliance, and reliable system operations.
The Functional Coordinator serves as a subject matter expert and liaison between SPP Operations, Market Operations, Balancing Authority, Reliability Coordination, Tariff/Scheduling, software vendors, and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include troubleshooting complex operational issues, supporting regulatory reporting and audit preparation, evaluating system changes, analyzing operational events, maintaining procedures and reference documentation, and identifying opportunities to improve operational performance and reliability.
At the Senior Functional Coordinator level, the employee provides advanced technical support and guidance for Interchange Scheduling operations. The position coordinates compliance reporting and audit readiness, investigates scheduling and system discrepancies, works with software vendors to implement corrective actions, and provides training and guidance to real-time operations personnel. The Senior Coordinator works closely with Lead Functional Coordinators and Shift Supervisors to maintain consistent operational practices across shifts and exercises independent judgment when addressing complex and time-sensitive issues.
At the Lead Functional Coordinator level, the employee provides broader operational leadership and subject matter expertise across major SPP Operations functions, including the Integrated Marketplace, Balancing Authority, Reliability Coordination, and Tariff/Scheduling. The Lead Coordinator leads complex operational analyses, supports working groups, performs or leads Root Cause Analysis studies, provides primary operator support during high-risk events, and mentors personnel across functional areas. This position handles complex and sensitive operational matters, exercises a high degree of independent judgment, and may have limited supervisory responsibilities over Operations personnel.
Both levels contribute to continuous improvement of operational tools, procedures, training, and situational awareness while supporting SPP's commitment to reliable and compliant system operations.
The selected candidate will be considered for the appropriate level based on qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the responsibilities associated with each level.
Core Responsibilities
Senior Functional Coordinator – Interchange Scheduling
- Displays deep knowledge of complex industry concepts, Tariff requirements, interchange fundamentals, and modeling relationships, and communicates these effectively to real time Operations staff.
- Coordinates audit readiness and reporting deliverables for FERC, NERC, SPP, DOE, and SSAE16, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant submissions for the Interchange Scheduling function.
- Works directly with software vendors to diagnose system issues, define operational impacts, and implement mitigations that safeguard accurate interchange schedule creation and processing.
- Coordinates with the SPP Market, Balancing Authority, Reliability Coordination, and other teams to ensure external tasks and system changes align with Interchange Scheduling requirements and operational processes.
- Maintains and updates the SPP Interchange Scheduling Reference Manual and associated operational documentation in alignment with changes to the SPP Tariff, Business Practices, or compliance criteria.
- Works closely with Lead Functional Coordinators and Shift Supervisors to ensure tasks performed by operators maintain consistent quality, structure, and compliance across all operational shifts.
- Develops operator capability by delivering training, offering guidance on complex interchange topics, and transferring knowledge to support cross functional operational excellence.
- Identifies and recommends improvements to Interchange Scheduling tools, processes, and procedures, supporting efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of operations.
- Makes informed decisions regarding operational details, system issues, and schedule discrepancies, particularly under stressful or time critical circumstances.
Lead Functional Coordinator
- Display an increasingly in-depth knowledge of and ability to analyze complex Industry concepts, governing documents, operating policies, and communicate such to real time Operations staff.
- Lead the analysis and working group support for the Integrated Marketplace, Balancing Authority, Reliability, Tariff/Scheduling.
- Provide SME support for customer relations and other functional areas within SPP on Integrated Marketplace, Balancing Authority, Reliability, Tariff/Scheduling.
- Coordinate with Functional Analysts to ensure the accurate and timely preparation of necessary reports for the SPP System Operations function as required by FERC, NERC, SPP, MRO, WECC, SOC1, etc.).
- Perform, lead, or contribute to Root Cause Analysis studies of operational events to maximize operational benefits.
- Collaborate with Operations staff in identifying issues that proactively will improve processes or reduce compliance or operational risks.
- Maintain BA specific process and procedure documents reflecting best practices and organizational objectives.
- Provide primary operator support for desk functions and high risk events
Required Qualifications
Senior Functional Coordinator
- 9 years of relevant industry experience with no degree; OR 7 of relevant industry experience with a Bachelor's Degree
Lead Functional Coordinator
- 12 years of relevant industry experience with no degree
- 10 years of relevant industry experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- 9 years of relevant industry experience with an undergraduate degree specific to electrical power system operations
- NERC RC Certification within 90 Days Required
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree specific to electrical power system operations or a related technical field.
- Experience supporting real-time electric system operations, Interchange Scheduling, Balancing Authority functions, Reliability Coordination, or transmission scheduling.
- Advanced knowledge of SPP Tariff, Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, and applicable operational compliance requirements.
- Experience with interchange scheduling systems, OATI applications, e-Tagging, OASIS, or Energy Management Systems (EMS).
- Experience coordinating with adjacent Balancing Authorities, Transmission Providers, software vendors, or other industry stakeholders.
- Experience supporting regulatory reporting, audit preparation, compliance documentation, or operational event analysis.
- Experience troubleshooting complex operational issues, evaluating system changes, and implementing process or technology improvements.
- Experience providing technical guidance, training, or mentorship to real-time operations personnel.
- For Lead-level consideration, demonstrated experience leading cross-functional operational initiatives, Root Cause Analysis studies, working groups, or high-risk operational event response.
- For Lead-level consideration, demonstrated technical leadership across multiple SPP Operations functional areas.
Other Requirements
Senior Functional Coordinator
- Possess advanced knowledge of the calculation principles, functionality and data interfaces of applications used by multiple Functional Areas of Coordinated Operations and Market Operations
- Possess advanced knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Market Protocols, SPP Regional Tariff, SSAE16 Modeling Controls, SPP Change Control procedures, and SPP Contract Services.
- Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, SPP Market Protocols, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices.
- Knowledgeable of and conversant with tools such as the EMS, Open Access Same-time Information System, OASIS Automation and scheduling systems
- Strong inter-personal and teaming skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
- Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
- Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
- Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Access
- Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
- NERC RC Certification (within 90 days)
Lead Functional Coordinator
- Possess advanced knowledge of the calculation principles, functionality and data interfaces of all applications used by System Operations
- Possess advanced knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Market Protocols, SPP Regional Tariff, SSAE16 Modeling Controls, SPP Change Control procedures, and SPP Contract Services.
- In-depth knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, SPP Market Protocols, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices.
- Knowledgeable of and conversant with tools such as the EMS, Open Access Same-time Information System, OASIS Automation and scheduling systems
- Strong inter-personal and teaming skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
- Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
- Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
- Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Power Point
- Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
Travel Requirement
This position requires minimal travel (approximately 5%).
SPP is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, SPP makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at_ _HR@spp.org_ _and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process._
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - SPP_._