Manager of System Reliability and Resiliency Planning (Hybrid)

About the role

The System Reliability and Resiliency Planning Manager provides strategic direction and leadership for continuous System performance, including developing and deploying tools and analytics that support Eversource’s goal of providing exceptional customer service. The Manager leads a multi-faceted team to optimize distribution reliability investments across the Company’s footprint using historical and predictive analytics.

Responsibilities

• Develops and deploys analytics and tools to identify system deficiencies, improve system design, reduce customer impacts, and costs.
• Develops new resiliency and reliability planning methods and the application of equipment, new technologies and innovative solutions including, but not limited to smart control and communication devices, aerial and spacer cables, upgraded poles, crossarms and hardware, enhanced tree trimming and vegetation management, targeted undergrounding, battery storage and other DER application, and other improvement measures.
• Leads the transition to analysis-based system resiliency planning using historical data, system models and predictive analytics to quantify costs and benefits of resiliency measures and justify prudent application.
• Develops new data-driven resiliency metrics adopting industry best practices and drives necessary regulatory changes to ensure successful implementation in applicable regulatory proceedings.
• Develops strategic and tactical measures to meet Performance-based Regulation (PBR) requirements and service quality objectives to avoid penalties.
• Develops and deploys tools and analytics to improve storm response and reduce storm costs.
• Works with Corporate Performance Management to develop and report service quality metrics.
• Develops the System Resiliency Program, processes and tools will require dynamic leadership to ensure the chosen framework reflects industry best practices.
• Supports the analysis and tracking of distribution and substation equipment failure reports, performance of additional investigation and testing as necessary, and implementation of necessary corrective measures.
• Engages directly with vendors, partners, and government entities to develop new methods, obtain novel equipment and technology, initiate and support studies, to enable the transition to a more resilient system.
• Works closely and across multiple departments to ensure resiliency plans and programs are vetted, socialized, and accepted, and that any external communication with respect to resiliency represents the Company’s position accurately.
• Works with Rates and Revenue personnel to develop bill impact estimates for resiliency programs.
• Works with Modeling Team to incorporate resiliency improvements in multi-year distribution (Synergi) models maintained by System Planning.
• Works with Grid Mod, IT, and vendors to identify tools and processes to improve resiliency planning and analysis and procure training as needed for Resiliency Planning engineers.
• Serves during emergency restoration efforts.
• Manages other engineers, contractors or consultants or groups of engineers and their projects.
• Develops and manages plans and schedules consistent with the overall business plans and/or project specific plans.
• Presents, directs and/or prepares corporate testimony and written responses for rate cases and other local, state or federal regulatory proceedings.
• Integrates cross-functional groups or teams to initiate and implement projects.
• Works closely with internal and external stakeholders to address needs with appropriate solutions.
• Formulates Eversource technical positions and recommends company policies and standards on various issues within realm of expertise.
• Interfaces with federal, state and local organizations external to Eversource on behalf of or as a representative of Eversource.
• Serves on various Eversource internal committees and task forces to provide information and recommendations to Eversource senior management.
• Represents Eversource with respect to assigned area of responsibilities on various industry and professional society committees and working groups.
• Prepares for Eversource senior management such written material as letters and reports in support of technical or policy positions on various aspects of distribution and DER planning.
• Authorizes contract work relating to the distribution forecasting and modeling.
• Serves as the primary technical liaison between Eversource and external organizations.
• Provides technical guidance and training for less experienced personnel.

  Qualifications

  • BS degree in Electrical Engineering required
  • MS degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field preferred
  • Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in Distribution Planning within a utility environment or related business area
  • Proven track record of delivering complex distribution planning projects on time
  • Excellent knowledge of the electric distribution system and system planning and modeling concepts and requirements
  • Excellent understanding of distribution reliability and resiliency improvement technologies and solutions
  • Familiarity with systems analysis tools and concepts for reliability (and by extension, resiliency) assessment
  • Detailed knowledge of the impacts of various reliability and resiliency measures, equipment, technology, and solutions
  • Understanding of distribution system operations and storm restoration procedures and their impact on reliability and resiliency
  • Familiarity with distribution protection and control concepts and their impact on reliability and resiliency
  • Knowledge of electric simulation software and power distribution system analysis, including steady-state and dynamic analysis
  • Knowledge of distribution planning and design criteria, industry codes, and equipment standards applicable to the Eversource distribution system
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory tariffs and provisions applicable to reliability and resiliency planning
  • Experience with accounting and engineering economics applicable to develop cost of projects and programs
  • Ability and willingness to be a change agent and to initiate and manage change as needed
  • Highly developed communication skills, i.e., ability to write clearly and concisely, make presentations before senior management and external bodies, ability to discuss ideas and be persuasive, and be able to work effectively with all levels within Eversource, governmental agencies and other outside organizations
  • Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with internal and external customers
  • Ability to provide work under the direction for others, assume authority and be assertive; contributes to the success of the team
  • Grasp concepts, analyze technical information, determine facts, be sensitive to underlying issues, and make thoughtful recommendations/decisions
  • Self-imposes standards of excellence and has the ability to achieve desired results by assuming responsibility and accountability