Interconnection Planning Project Manager

Interconnection Planning - Transmission Principal Engineer/Project Manager

 
Reports to: Marcus Tam, Supervisor PD Interconnections & Planning
Location: 241 Ralph McGill, Atlanta GA (GPC HQ) or proximity to partner organizations

Travel: Up to 25% 

Relocation: Partial

NOTE: This position will be filled at salary grade level 07 Exempt 

JOB SUMMARY

Interconnection Planning is responsible for evaluating requests to add generation to the transmission system. 

The department identifies scope, cost and timelines to ensure compliance with federal regulations in addition to Southern Company’s technical interconnection requirements while taking into consideration long-term reliability, sustainability, and growth.

This position determines the technical direction and requirements for this process and directs the technical development of department employees. Demonstrated leadership skills and a broad understanding of generation and transmission needs for interconnections will be considered.

This position provides input and advice to executive level management regarding the technical merits of these projects for the effective use of the capital budget and the development of high-profile projects.

This position also works closely with our internal partners (Southern Company, Georgia Power, Alabama Power, and Mississippi Power) as well as those in The Georgia Integrated Transmission System (ITS) to resolve planning issues in the joint planning process.

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS

Educational/Certification Requirements:

• Four (4) year B.S. Engineering Degree or Engineering Technology Degree required 
• Professional Engineer’s License preferred
• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Technology degree preferred

Experience:

Technical Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years Transmission and/or Distribution experience in planning, design, engineering, operations or maintenance of the electric transmission or distribution system is required.
• Technical knowledge in Substation P&C Field Services, P&C Applications, Substation Design, System Operations, Transmission Line Design, Transmission Maintenance, Distribution Reliability or Distribution Planning is preferred.
• Previous leadership experience is desired.
• Previous generation experience is desired.
• Specific experience related to generator interconnection process and implementation is desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven knowledge of the Transmission system and recognized for technical competency.
• Excellent analytical and technical problem-solving skills
• Communicate well through written reports, well organized presentations and oral discussions
• Interacting with internal and external customers on technical and political issues
• Ability to deal with heavy workloads, multiple tasks and conflicting demands
• Ability to work well withing cross-functional teams is critical
• Knowledge of Microsoft’s Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and Outlook programs. 
• Embraces new ideas and continuous learning
• Acts with agility

Behavioral Attributes

• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, Superior Performance.
• Forward-looking and future oriented.
• Results-oriented approach to responsibilities and ownership and personal responsibility for all aspects of a project. 
• Creative problem solver and with the ability to balance the needs of the Company and external input.
• Functions effectively in a team environment with diverse disciplines and backgrounds as a leader or contributor. 
• Exhibits strong initiative and ability to make difficult decisions.
• Strong adherence to Human Performance principles.
• Questioning attitude
• Follow through on commitments timely and accurately
• Candidate must be a relationship builder at all levels; respected for knowledge and commitment
• Look for opportunities to grow and develop in knowledge and understanding 
• Results-oriented approach to responsibilities and ownership of assigned accountabilities.

 
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Interconnection Planners to develop project scope, project completion time and transmission cost estimates (planning grade and TEAMS estimates) to Transmission Planning organization on projects related to Transmission Service and Generator Interconnection requests.
• Coordinates work for various Transmission teams to ensure compliance and adherence to Standards of Conduct.  
• Work with Interconnection Planners to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Train and develop new Interconnection Planners on technical requirements.
• Document and improve processes to gain efficiencies
• Present projects to the TPRT & T&D Council for approval and serve as a technical resource.
• Work with the Transmission Project Management Organization (PMO) to develop and submit BCAs for facility upgrades required to support generator interconnections and Transmission Service requests. 
• Proactively build and maintain partnerships with associates in Transmission, Distribution, Generation, ITS, Legal, Land, Environmental, and other organizations. 
• Process oversight working with the Accounting, Finance and Treasury organization to ensure proper assignment, handling and budgeting of costs associated generation interconnection upgrades.
• Under technical guidance of the SCS Policy & Services Implementation Project Management group, develop Interconnection Agreements and other related contracts and documentation per FERC guidelines and ensure interconnection contracts are thorough and meet the needs of the customer while meeting Georgia Power and Southern Company’s compliance guidelines. 
• Coordinate and participate in activities required per ITS Planning Procedure 13 (Guidelines for Interconnecting New Generation to the Georgia ITS) along with other applicable ITS Planning and Operating Guidelines and Procedures and other generation interconnection activities requested by the ITS Participants. 
• Participate in reviewing ITS Participant Interconnection and Transmission Service Request (TSR) requests.
• Maintain databases, spreadsheets, and other documentation to facilitate tracking of disposition of requests and progress of budgeted projects to ensure that service commitments are being met. 
• This position requires storm response, both on and occasionally off system. 
• This position requires a valid Georgia Driver’s License and the ability to drive company owned vehicles and/or rental vehicles to field visits to support meeting with internal and external generators & stakeholders.  

RELATIONSHIPS – Key Interfaces

• Transmission Planning
• Transmission Policy & Services
• Project Management Organization
• Operations
• Project Services
• ITS Policy
• Resource Planning
• Retail Generation Development