Lead and Senior Technical Analyst – Balancing Authority Operations

Overview

The Lead Technical Analyst – Balancing Authority Operations is responsible for leading complex analysis, studies, and data evaluation in support of SPP's Balancing Authority functions, with a focus on identifying and managing uncertainty and risk associated with BA obligations. This role supports both intra-day and forward-looking horizons, with direct alignment to Reliability, Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC), and Balancing functions. The position plays a key role in integrating market outcomes with real-time operations by analyzing how market dispatch, interchange schedules, and system conditions translate into actual system performance. This includes identifying and resolving discrepancies between market results and operational data to ensure accurate, reliable, and defensible outcomes. In addition to technical leadership, this role coordinates analytical efforts across functions and provides support for SPP committees, working groups, and task forces, representing System Operations as needed.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead analytical support for Balancing Authority operations, including real-time, intra-day, next-day, and forward-looking assessments of SPP’s ability to meet reliability obligations and performance targets.
• Monitor, analyze, and support performance related to NERC Balancing Authority metrics, including CPS1 and BAAL, identifying drivers of performance and recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Evaluate how market outcomes, including dispatch, commitment decisions, and interchange schedules, translate into actual system performance, ensuring alignment between market results and Balancing Authority objectives.
• Develop, validate, and analyze operational data, including meter data and interchange values, to support accurate checkout processes and ensure defensible reporting and settlements.
• Make recommendations to management and Operations functions regarding actions necessary to maintain adequate resource availability, control Area Control Error (ACE), and support compliance with reliability standards.
• Develop and enhance analytical tools, models, and processes to improve visibility into system performance, including metrics related to ACE, interchange, and resource sufficiency.
• Conduct post-event and performance analysis to evaluate system response, benchmark results against expectations, and implement improvements to operational processes and analytical methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with SPP policies and procedures, as well as applicable NERC and FERC standards, supporting audit readiness and defensibility of analytical results.
• Lead and contribute to SPP, NERC, and WECC committees, subcommittees, working groups, and task forces, including serving in leadership roles as needed.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and training to operators and analysts, serving as a subject matter expert in Balancing Authority performance, forecasting, and operational analytics.
• Lead special projects and support cross-functional initiatives within Balancing Authority Operations and across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, engineering or other related field is required.
• Master’s Degree in Mathematics, engineering or other related field is preferred.
• 12 years job related experience is required.
• NERC Certification is preferred.

Senior Technical Analyst

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, mathematics, engineering or other related field is required.
• 6 years of job-related experience with at least three (3) years of industry experience is required.
• An emphasis on power system analysis and electric utility operations is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• All Levels: Electric Utility Industry experience.
• Senior Technical Analyst: An advanced degree.

Other Requirements

• In addition to being fluent in English, excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Strong inter-personal and team work skills.
• Documented experience in power system engineering, operations engineering, transmission planning or related disciplines.

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management. Occasional extended or nonstandard hours may be required.

Travel Requirement

This position requires minimal (0–20%) travel.