Operations Planning Engineer

Job Description

Division: Operations Planning - Electricity

Location: Vegreville, AB or Edmonton, AB

Embrace challenge and growth with ATCO Team!

Position Summary:

Always there. Anywhere. That's us! We've got a lot of energy at ATCO, focused on creating prosperity for generations to come. Embrace challenge and growth because your career journey at ATCO has the potential to be full of new experiences, inspiring challenges, and growth without boundaries.

Engineers at ATCO are deeply valued because we hold plenty of responsibility and take on a diversity of challenges. Those who thrive with our team are committed to excellence and relish important and complex projects critical to our business. Our operations across multiple business lines and geographies mean ATCO fosters ample development and learning opportunities for engineers of all disciplines.

Reporting to the Supervising Engineer, Operations Planning this position is responsible for ATCO Electric's Transmission and Distribution System Operations support function to ensure clear documentation, information and support for ATCO Operations enabling safe and reliable system performance and exceptional services to our customers. This area of responsibility will require technical skills in distribution and transmission power system analysis as well as understanding of system operations, interactions with the AESO and adjacent utilities and generators, risk mitigation and transmission and distribution protection.

Responsibilities:

Distribution Operations Planning

• Support Distribution Operators requests for real time system management.
• Perform distribution power flow and coordination studies to assist in the development of switching steps/plans for 25 kV load transfers including model updates for load and Project additions, as necessary.
• Complete distribution analysis for load shed required for transmission risk assessments.
• Support Advanced Distribution Management Systems with ongoing advanced applications assisting integration through effective usage and comparison with CYME models.
• Ensure documentation of load transfer studies to incorporate into contingency manuals.
• Perform Customer causation outage analysis to assess linkage to transmission or distribution events. Ensure timely and accurate responses for Customer communications.
• Support new device training material for Operations working collaboratively with adjacent Engineering teams to document Operational information accurately prior to energization on the network.
• Work collaboratively with Regional Operation teams, Distribution & Facilities Planning teams, AESO and Operators

Transmission Operations Planning.

• Support Transmission real time system management using contingency analysis tool and re-assessments of planned outage risk assessments for week ahead, day ahead preparedness.
• Perform transmission power flow and contingency analysis to provide transmission risk assessment and mitigation. Ensure compliance with AESO Rules for submissions and work with AESO and adjacent utilities.
• Perform book-end model assessment and modifications and contingency analysis for worst system conditions for seasonal operations studies and presentations for Operator preparedness training.
• Assist in wildfire assessments and Operational situational preparedness.
• Work collaboratively with adjacent System Operational Support personnel, Facilities Planning, AESO and Operators.

Operations Planning Technical and Project Support

• Support the updates of ATCO's Operations Procedures, Joint Operating Agreements and Procedures and other Operational documentation.
• Support Projects documentation regarding lines, substations, and technical documentation.
• Provide Operational Planning Technical Support for all system and transmission capital maintenance projects including need for transmission line switches and ratings, voltage ranges to manage voltage stability and normal system operating limits, assistance with system control and anti-islanding requirements, etc.
• Support and assist Operational team in ensuring compliance to AESO and AUC rules.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited University.
• Professional Engineering (P.Eng.) designation with APEGA is required.
• Two (2) to five (5) years of work experience as a P. Eng. preferably in an electrical utility environment.
• A solid understanding of power system concepts and a good understanding of power system analytical techniques as well as transmission/distribution equipment.
• Understanding of theory and philosophies behind different transmission and distribution protection schemes and coordination.
• Experience with modeling software such as CYME and PSS/E.
• Programming experience with Python is an asset.
• Ability to analyze system data to support Operational requirements as well as Customer Outage responses.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship development skills.
• Excellent reading comprehension, report writing, verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong problem solving, decision making, and organization skills.
• Adapt to change and focus on continuous improvement.
• Maintain an Alberta Class 5 driver's license in good standing.

What We Offer:

• A culture based on caring, integrity, agility, collaboration, and striving for excellence
• Competitive compensation
• Flex benefits
• Tuition assistance program
• Training and mentorship programs
• Charitable donation matching

ATCO - The place to be at with diversity of operations across multiple business lines and geographies and there are always opportunities to work in different departments or roles.

We would like to thank everyone for their application; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

ATCO Electric is part of ATCO Ltd. ATCO delivers inspired solutions for a better world. We are a diversified global corporation with investments in the essential services of Structures & Logistics, Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, Retail Energy, Transportation and Commercial Real Estate. Learn more about how we build communities, energize industries and deliver customer-focused solutions like no other company in the world at www.atco.com. ATCO is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Visit our website for more information.

Issued: April 22, 2025

Deadline: May 6, 2025