Team Lead, ROCC

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Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build and lead a team (multiple direct reports) of Control Center Operators in the day-to-day operations of a growing fleet of utility-scale PV solar and wind assets
• Qualify as sPower Control Center Operator
• Lead the development of plant-specific operating procedures incorporating requirements from relevant Functional Entities
• Lead the training of new Control Center Operators and oversee continual operator training
• Obtain and maintain certifications that may be needed for further Control Center needs (i.e. PJM Generation Certification)
• Coordinate updates to the sPower Operator Training Program for changing NERC compliance requirements and the onboarding of new facilities and technologies
• Maintain the Control Center shift schedule to ensure 24/7 manning of the sPower Control Center
• Serve as the sPower Control Center Coordinator/day-ahead planner that includes tasks such as
• Receiving wind/solar outage requests - Coordinate with entities/personnel requesting the outage to determine scope, dates/times, switching activities, etc.
• Evaluate requests against various regulator and contractual obligations (Power Purchase Agreements, Interconnection Agreements, O&M agreements, Balancing Authority requirements, NERC standards, etc.)
• Coordinate intercompany clearances with various utility companies
• Submit and track outage requests with utility generation/transmission desks
• Write and review procedures for real time Control Center execution of the outage
• Coordinate SCADA testing and troubleshooting with SCADA Engineers. Work with SCADA engineering team to develop testing plans and procedures
• Assist in the onboarding and integration of new generation assets
• Act as the alternate Subject Matter Expert for NERC operational reliability items in the sPower Control Center.
• Assist Operations Manager in the compilation and maintenance of NERC compliance evidence for monthly/yearly submission to the NERC Compliance Administrator
• Cultivate a strict culture of safety and compliance
• Perform other duties and projects as needed to assist the Operations Manager

Desired Skills, Expertise and Competencies:

• Deep understanding of operating utility-scale PV solar, wind, and battery storage during normal and emergency conditions
• Familiarity with electrical substation safety protocol, equipment, and operations
• Ability to interpret procedures, instructions, and schematic wiring/single-line diagrams
• Understanding of NERC standards and relation to operations (VAR, COM, EOP, PER, PRC, TOP)
• Experience leading and training team of operators to ensure safe and compliant operation of generation assets
• Competency in plant processes, electrical and SCADA systems
• Ability to thrive within a small, agile, and fast-growing team
• Ability to recognize the need for and drive process improvement to maximize efficiency and mitigate risk
• Reliable, punctual and capable of being trusted with significant, unsupervised responsibility
• Willingness to respond to and assist on-shift Control Center Operators outside of normal business hours
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with ability to write clear, concise operating procedures
• Ability to recognize the need for and drive process improvement to maximize efficiency and mitigate risk
• Proven ability to perform root cause analysis on equipment failures and generation performance deficiencies

Desired Qualification

• 6+ years experience in control room/power plant operations, preferably for renewable energy assets
• 2+ years in power generation outage planning/coordination
• B.S in engineering or related discipline preferred or equivalent military (i.e. Navy Nuclear) and/or industry experience
• Experience managing direct reports preferred

Additional Requirements/Details:

• Must pass 7-year background check and pre-employment drug screening
• This position will typically work a rotating (including some weekends and holidays) day-time hour shift schedule but may be temporarily shifted to 24/7 rotating shift coverage depending on Control Center manning needs. Scheduled start/end times may also be shifted to include starting 6 a.m. or earlier, or ending 10 p.m. or later depending on Control Center operational needs.
• Willingness to provide on-call/remote support to the 24/7 Control Center (responsibility shared between two Control Center Lead positions).

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Safety comes first at AES. To protect the health and safety of our people, customers, communities and partners, and to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, AES requires all newly-hired people or current AES people applying for U.S.-based role(s), to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their date of hire. Except where prohibited by law or not specifically covered in a collective bargaining agreement, new hires and transfers will be required to provide proof of vaccination during onboarding and periodically thereafter. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.