Transmission Operations Engineer , II or Senior

Job Specifications

Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today—for our customers, communities and each other.

Performs engineering studies and develops electronic tools, models and procedures that assure the reliable operation of Black Hills Corporation’s electric system across both Transmission Operator and Balancing Authority responsibilities.

This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.

• Level I: $72,900 - $109,250
• Level II: $86,700 - $130,050
• Senior: $97,150 - $160,150

Electric Systems Operations Engineer Manager

Location: Rapid City, SD

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is available based on individual circumstances! Details to be shared during the offer process.

• Analyze and perform reliability studies for real‑time, current‑day and next‑day transmission and balancing system operations.
• Analyze and perform electrical system studies for planned and emergency switching operations of the electric transmission system.
• Analyze and perform transmission/balancing seasonal assessment studies for the upcoming operating season.
• Develop and maintain Energy Management Systems (EMS) applications and associated displays. Applications include Automatic Generation Control, Contingency Analysis, State Estimator, Operator Training Simulator and PSSE.
• Develop and maintain data required for EMS power system applications.
• Troubleshoot, validate, and reconcile meter data used for Balancing Authority load, interchange, and market settlement calculations as needed.
• Maintain necessary documentation on the EMS and associated systems.
• Develop procedures, processes, and applications necessary to provide safe and reliable operations systems that meet reliability regulatory standards.
• Develop and maintain the Operator Training Simulator to ensure all department personnel receive the required training and continuing education hours to remain highly knowledgeable and confident in their job functions.
• Implement and maintain integration between EMS applications.
• Develop computer programs and customized programming scripts necessary for special applications.
• Develop and implement short‑term and long‑term plans for new software applications and upgrades related to the EMS.

• Provide “real‑time” support and serve as a knowledge resource for Transmission System Operators, Balancing Authority Operators and Generation Dispatch / Power Marketing.
• Performs other assignments as required.

• All Levels
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
  • Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications.
  • Strong data analysis skills, including identifying data anomalies, performing root‑cause investigations, and interpreting datasets.
  • Ability to maintain proficiency with new systems and software as technology evolves.
  • This role will be required to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Level I:
  No experience required.
• Level II:
  Minimum of 1 year of electric utility operations or electrical operations engineering experience.
• Senior:
  Minimum of 4 years of electric utility operations or electrical operations engineering experience.

• Proficient knowledge of transmission facilities, electric utility operations, operating personnel and Transmission and Balancing Authority operations.
• Proficient knowledge of EMS, AGC, and SCADA technologies.
• Knowledge of outage coordination requirements.
• Knowledge of relational database management systems.
• Demonstrated working knowledge…