Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?

Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.

As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.

Hiring Salary Range:

Operations Engineer I - $73,400 - $110,100

Operations Engineer II - $84,500 - $126,800

Operations Engineer III - $111,700 - $167,600

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

The Operations Engineer is responsible for the Operations Planning function, including outage coordination and engineering support to the System Operations Center (SOC). Ensures all generation and transmission maintenance and construction outages are scheduled without compromising system reliability.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

1. Prepare, review, update, and issue DPC procedures and documentation pertinent to Operations Planning.

2. Utilize Energy Management System (EMS) including network applications (State Estimator and Real-Time Contingency Analysis). Support the operation and maintenance of network applications functions.

3. Perform the Outage Coordination function. Key aspects of this function are listed below:

a) Review, provide special instructions to the Dispatchers, and approve all requests for generation and transmission facility outages and other maintenance and construction activity, including coordination with interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.

b) Provide operational support to DPC field crews by assisting them in the scheduling of facility maintenance and provide input on preliminary switching sequences for complex maintenance and construction outages.

c) Periodically review, enhance, and coordinate changes to the Outage Coordination process.

d) Ensure that the Outage Coordination function is adequately covered during normal working hours.

4. Perform operating studies of planned system configurations, ranging from next day to next season, to determine optimal “normal” transmission system configuration and support the development of operating guides. Prepare reports as necessary.

5. Develop and update operating guides to address system operating issues including coordination with key stakeholders.

6. Support the development and maintenance of DPC’s Power System Restoration (PSR) plan. Participate in industry working groups and PSR drills as necessary.

7. Develop and maintain seasonal power flow operating models.

8. Support the SOC with transmission emergencies, Dispatcher training, drills, documentation of system disturbances, etc.

9. Support Transmission Planning in the analysis of future transmission and substation additions to ensure operational compatibility and proper construction sequencing.

10. Support Project Managers with planned outage periods for upcoming projects and compatibility with seasonal restrictions or other local planned transmission outages

11. Ensure leadership in the Operations Division is fully apprised of generation and transmission real-time and operations-planning reliability issues.

12. Represent DPC on industry groups or committees relating to seasonal assessments, transmission outage coordination and system operations as assigned.

13. Stay abreast of current developments in the areas of transmission outage coordination and system operations.

14. Support the System Operations Center to ensure thermal and voltage alarm limits remain accurate as the system evolves. Provide the SOC with documentation on criteria for determining alarm limits and guidelines on expected Dispatcher response to alarms.

15. Assist the Dairyland Compliance team in meeting NERC compliance requirements as assigned.

16. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

Operations Engineer I: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (power option preferred) or directly related Engineering major required. Previous experience in the Energy industry preferred.

Operations Engineer II: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (power option preferred) or directly related Engineering major with a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in one or more of the following areas: a) electric system operations; b) system planning; c) system engineering; d) other electric utility operations related area.

Operations Engineer III: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or closely-related field (physics, math) with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in one or more of the following areas: a) electric system operations; b) system planning; c) system engineering; d) other electric utility operations related area.

Skills : Experience in steady-state power flow analysis including EMS network applications is preferred. Requires a general understanding of power system operations and the ability to document process and procedures related to operations planning. General computer literacy is required and experience with Excel, Word, and Power Point is preferred. Requires good verbal and written communications skills.

Licenses and Certifications: Professional Engineer Registration is preferred. Valid Driver’s License is required.

We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:

• Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)

• Life insurance

• Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans

• Paid Time Off

• Robust Wellness Program

• New Flexible Work Program

• Tuition Reimbursement

• So much more!

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace.

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.