Career Center

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
 
We are seeking a Principal Electrical Power Systems Engineer to join the System Operations Center (SOC) team. In this position, you will provide technical engineering support for the Power Dispatchers and other SOC staff in order to maintain safe, reliable and efficient real-time operation of the SCL Power System.
 
This position will report to the Director, System Operations Center.

Job Responsibilities - what you’ll be doing: 

• Perform powerflow and contingency analysis studies for transmission, generation and distribution outages within the SCL system and greater surrounding region.
• Develop reliability coordinator approved mitigation plans and/or remedial action plans when study results prove them necessary.
• Maintain the Energy Management System (EMS) Network Model to ensure real-time situational awareness is not adversely impacted by unforeseen system conditions.
• Benchmark and tune the State Estimator (SE), Contingency Analysis (CA) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications within EMS.
• Investigate and resolve any SE and RTCA solution anomalies to ensure SCL meets NERC compliance requirements.
• Maintain EMS One-Line Diagrams, SE/RTCA Displays, System Operating Limits, and imported neighboring entities’ real-time measurements to support reliable operation.
• Serve as real-time study engineering contact and respond to questions from the RC and neighboring entities.
• Provide study support to dispatchers during emergency/forced outage conditions.
• Provide engineering support for WebOMS account access, data-modeling, and training.
• Monitor SCL compliance with assigned NERC Reliability Standards, prepare NERC compliance reports and manage compliance documentation/evidence.
• Review proposed changes to the NERC Reliability Standards to evaluate possible impact to SCL operations.
• Develop and deliver technical training for System Operators.
• Develop processes and procedures for implementing new advanced study tools and applications available in new EMS into SCL System Operations.
• Develop and maintain the model and scenarios for the Dispatcher Training Simulator (DTS).
• Provide engineering support for SCL participation in the Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM).  
• Perform event analysis on market solution anomalies to identify potential market model or outage errors.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:  

• Knowledge of Energy Management Systems and Network Applications
• Knowledge of Puget Sound Area transmission system.
• Familiarity with NERC and WECC Reliability Standards and Criterions.
• Experience with conducting power flow studies including voltage and transient stability studies.
• Ability to handle shifting and multiple priorities.
• Ability to work as a team member in a diverse work force.
• Willingness to learn and accept responsibility, comply with safety rules and regulations, work efficiently, effectively and independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications - In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has: 

License, Certification and Other Requirements: Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility. Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of Washington.
 
Work Environment/Physical Demands: Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment. Field assignments may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous or toxic substances, high voltage energized equipment and work in or near construction sites. Work in underground utility facilities will require climbing ladders. May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, or holidays. Overnight travel may be required.

Application Process
Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.  Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
 
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 (Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The full salary range for this position is $63.45 - $74.50 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.
 
Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: http://www.seattle.gov/light/. 

About Seattle City Light

Seattle City Light generates and delivers affordable electricity to power the homes, businesses, and communities we serve. We provide carbon-neutral electricity, generated primarily from carbon-free hydropower. And we are people, committed to making a difference and helping our community and customers thrive. Seattle City Light is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility. We don't have shareholders — we're accountable only to you, our customers. We're focused on providing affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy services every day. We are dedicated to providing value to the communities we serve and practicing our commitment to employee and public safety. City Light has delivered carbon-free hydropower for over 100 years and was the first utility in the nation to achieve carbon-neutral operations. We also have the longest-running conservation program in the nation and are recognized leaders in environmental stewardship.

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