Manager System Operations

CPC & Associates is assisting our client in the search for an experienced Manager, System Operations to join its Network Operations Center in Great Falls, Montana.

This position supports the safe, reliable, and compliant real-time operation of the organization’s Balancing Authorities, generation assets, Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) participation, and energy-scheduling functions.

The Manager, System Operations provides leadership and oversight to System Operators while supporting compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS), and Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) ISO rules.

This individual will serve as a key operational and compliance resource for the Network Operations Center. Responsibilities include supporting real-time operations, outage coordination, operator development, compliance reporting, procedure development, regulatory audits, and continuous operational readiness.

The position also collaborates with internal teams, regulatory organizations, market operators, and external partners to support reliable bulk electric system operations and successful participation in current and emerging energy markets, including WEIM and the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM).

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and operational support for real-time Balancing Authority activities, generation operations, energy scheduling, and market participation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable NERC, WECC, Generator Owner (GO), Generator Operator (GOP), Balancing Authority (BA), ARS, and AESO reliability standards and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate outage management, switching activities, operational logging, and compliance documentation.
• Develop, implement, and maintain operating procedures, policies, training materials, and operator qualification programs.
• Support the implementation and effective use of Energy Management Systems (EMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Automatic Generation Control (AGC), forecasting tools, and other operational technologies.
• Assist with NERC audits, internal compliance assessments, mitigation plans, regulatory reporting, and audit preparation.
• Support the optimization of generation dispatch, transmission utilization, operating reserves, and energy scheduling.
• Maintain operational readiness and help ensure appropriate staffing and coverage for a 24/7 control-room environment.
• Represent the organization in industry, reliability, regulatory, and energy-market stakeholder meetings.
• Maintain the required NERC certification and complete all applicable continuing education requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Environmental Studies, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• At least six years of experience in utility operations, energy markets, energy scheduling, Balancing Authority operations, power marketing, renewable energy, or a related field.
• At least five years of leadership or supervisory experience supporting real-time operations.
• Working knowledge of NERC, WECC, ARS, and AESO reliability standards and compliance requirements.
• Ability to obtain a NERC System Operator Certification-Balancing, Interchange and Transmission Operator (BIT) or Reliability Coordinator (RC)-within six months of hire., * Experience with Balancing Authority operations, energy scheduling, power system operations, or control-room operations.
• Experience working within WEIM, CAISO, AESO, ERCOT, MISO, PJM, or another organized energy market.
• Hands-on experience with EMS, SCADA, AGC, forecasting platforms, and related operational technology systems.
• Experience with high-voltage system operations, switching procedures, and outage coordination.
• Experience negotiating or managing energy service agreements, market arrangements, and commercial relationships.
• Current NERC System Operator Certification is strongly preferred.