Transmission Services Consultant

Job Description

Join PSE's Transmission Services Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) Administration team as a Transmission Services Consultant and lead transmission and generator interconnection processes across the Pacific Northwest. In this high-level consulting role, you'll manage complex customer requests from inception to final agreement, building strong customer relationships while serving as the go-to resource for elevated concerns and high-stakes regulatory challenges that require expert-level intervention and strategic thinking.

This role is designed for a seasoned transmission professional with demonstrated expertise in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, OATT compliance, and regional transmission efforts who thrives in a consultative capacity and wants to shape the future of transmission services while mentoring the next generation of industry experts.

As PSE's transmission services authority, you'll oversee all phases of federal filings, including PSE's FERC and OATT filings, to ensure regulatory requirements are met. You'll provide strategic guidance on federal regulatory policy and advise internal departments on compliance requirements, directly influencing policy decisions that shape PSE's regulatory landscape. Your deep expertise will be essential in managing relationships with external stakeholders including other transmission providers, local electric utilities, and federal governmental entities, requiring sophisticated negotiation skills and astute interpersonal abilities to influence outcomes at the highest levels.

This consultative role positions you as a key leader in PSE's OATT strategy, where you'll monitor federal, regional, and state regulations to stay informed on current and changing requirements and inform PSE's potential participation in the comment process. You'll develop and conduct employee trainings on relevant requirements while conducting thorough assessments of compliance control effectiveness and providing critical support during internal and external audits with full accountability for implementing strategic solutions.

Your advanced analytical capabilities will drive research and analysis of evolving statutes, regulations, and orders, ensuring PSE maintains its industry-leading compliance posture while optimizing customer-focused processes. Working with management, you'll facilitate cross-organizational cooperation to align regulatory proposals with company objectives, leveraging your understanding of utility operations and advanced transmission concepts.

Other position expectations include upholding the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities; promoting and supporting a culture of total safety; demonstrating commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct; and ensuring duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

•    Manages complex transmission and generator interconnection requests, while maintaining compliance with federal regulations and tariff requirements. 
•    Provides expert-level support in handling elevated customer concerns, serving as a resource for the team. Manages work with outside affected entities, including other transmission providers and customers, local electric utilities, state and federal governmental entities, etc.
•    Implements PSE’s FERC transmission and OATT compliance programs to meet all company policies and regulatory requirements. 
•    Researches and analyzes statutes, regulations and orders, to ensure the company remains in compliance while maintaining efficient and customer-focused processes.
•    Provides strategic guidance and coordination for federal, regional, and state rulemaking proceedings and tariff filings. 
•    Oversees the development of training programs to ensure employees are knowledgeable regarding regulatory compliance issues and conducts necessary training.
•    Interacts with internal and external auditors to provide support and address audit concerns; implements solutions. 
•    Performs investigations, as necessary, related to potential regulatory/compliance violations. Develops complete and executable plans for long-term compliance and process improvement.
•    Supports assessments to determine the effectiveness of compliance controls.  
•    Works cooperatively across the organization and company where applicable, to communicate pending or upcoming regulatory proposals and for obtaining input in aligning regulatory proposals with company objectives. 
•    Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, public policy, finance, economics, or applicable field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience, preferably in the energy industry as an analyst, engineer, or compliance specialist.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong negotiating, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Must be self-directed and willing to mentor peers and team members.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team environment with a strong ability to think independently and facilitate cooperation.
• Demonstrated complex problem solving skills.
• Astute interpersonal skills to develop industry contacts, establish relationships, influence others and negotiate outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of utility operations, policy issues and FERC regulation.
• Thorough understanding of FERC transmission and generator interconnection procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting critical deadlines.
   

Desired Qualifications

• CPA, MBA, JD, PE or experience in contract management, engineering, utility operations, project management, wholesale power markets, or compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in FERC transmission and OATT compliance regulations and processes
• Demonstrated understanding of the company, BPA, and WECC transmission systems and concepts of open access transmission service.
• Experience in electric utility system operations, wholesale power markets, power scheduling and transmission operations.
• Real Time Energy Imbalance Market, Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), and or Independent System Operator (ISO) experience.
• Previous work experience in hybrid roles that combine technical, economic, and policy aspects of transmission systems.
• Understanding of transmission planning concepts and wholesale energy markets.
• Proficiency with advanced process and project management tools, such as Microsoft Office Project and PowerAutomate. 
• Experience using Artificial Intelligence in a business environment. 
   

Additional Information