Operations Functional Specialist III or Senior – Interchange Scheduling

SPP is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation bonus (if applicable)
• Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP

PLEASE NOTE: This position may not be performed remotely from California or New York City, NY, nor can SPP sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Operations Functional Specialist III Salary Range: $77,900 – $99,325

Senior Operations Functional Specialist Salary Range: $87,950 – $112,190

Overview

The Operations Functional Specialist III or Senior – Interchange Scheduling provides technical and analytical support for SPP's Interchange Scheduling function, ensuring accurate, compliant, and reliable interchange schedule creation, validation, and coordination across the SPP Balancing Authority, adjacent Balancing Authorities, and Transmission Providers.

This position supports real-time and next-day operations by investigating scheduling discrepancies, validating modeling alignment, troubleshooting system issues, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include reviewing e-Tags, POR/POD selections, Source/Sink registrations, pseudo-tie data, settlement area assignments, and OATI scheduling applications.

At the Operations Functional Specialist III level, the employee supports operational analysis, investigates scheduling and modeling discrepancies, assists with compliance reporting, maintains reference documentation, and coordinates corrective actions with increasing independence.

At the Senior Operations Functional Specialist level, the employee serves as a subject-matter expert, independently resolves complex scheduling and modeling issues, leads regulatory reporting and audit preparation, coordinates vendor resolutions, implements operational improvements, and provides technical guidance and training to Operations personnel.

The selected candidate will be considered for the appropriate level based on qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the responsibilities associated with each level.

Core Responsibilities

Operations Functional Specialist III – Interchange Scheduling

• Reviews and validates e‑Tags, POR/POD selections, settlement area assignments, pseudo‑tie registrations, and integration with OATI systems to ensure accurate and reliable scheduling information.
• Identifies inconsistencies in submitted schedules or modeling data, performs comparative analysis across registration and system sources, and coordinates corrective actions with Interchange Scheduling, Modeling Coordination, and customer contacts.
• Assists with reviewing and approving Source/Sink registrations, pseudo‑tie segments, and related EIR submissions
• engages with Model Coordination to ensure alignment with BA and RC modeling requirements.
• Supports real‑time and next‑day scheduling activities by assisting operators, troubleshooting issues with OATI applications, and escalating vendor‑related problems for resolution.
• Prepares and validates operational data inputs that support metrics, compliance reporting, and internal operations reviews.
• Assists with maintaining procedures, references, and job aids to keep materials aligned with current Tariff, Business Practices, and process updates.
• Works with the BA team, Model Coordination, Ops Support, and Market Operations to ensure schedule‑related decisions consider operational impacts and system dependencies.
• Identifies issues affecting schedule quality or data flow, recommends workflow improvements, and contributes to tool enhancement efforts in coordination with IT or vendors.
• Expands knowledge of interchange scheduling processes, OATI platforms, Tariff and Business Practices, and modeling concepts to support progression toward senior‑level responsibilities.

Senior Operations Functional Specialist – Interchange Scheduling

• Displays deep knowledge of industry concepts, SPP Tariff and Business Practices, and NERC INT requirements, and communicates these effectively to real‑time operations staff.
• Prepares and reviews audit‑related documentation and ensures accurate, timely submissions for FERC, NERC, SPP, DOE, SERC, and SSAE16 reporting requirements.
• Investigates and resolves system problems impacting interchange schedule creation or validation, identifies operational impacts, and works with vendors to implement corrections or mitigations.
• Ensures that system changes, modeling updates, customer submissions, and operational tasks correctly align with Interchange Scheduling requirements and do not introduce operational risk.
• Implements and maintains updates to the SPP Interchange Scheduling Reference Manual, ensuring alignment with SPP Tariff, Business Practices, and applicable industry standards.
• Coordinates with Functional Analysts to support SPP System Operations reporting related to interchange activities, scheduling metrics, modeling validation, and compliance documentation.
• Identifies, investigates, and resolves schedule conflicts, POR/POD inconsistencies, settlement area errors, or modeling misalignments involving customers and BA counterparts.
• Works with Lead Functional Coordinators and Shift Supervisors to ensure interchange tasks are performed consistently across all shifts with accuracy and common structure.
• Develops training materials, mentors operators and analysts, and delivers coaching to strengthen cross‑functional understanding of interchange processes and compliance requirements.
• Recommends changes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of interchange scheduling tools, workflows, and procedures.
• Makes well‑informed decisions regarding scheduling discrepancies, system issues, and compliance needs in time‑critical or stressful situations.

Required Qualifications

Operations Functional Specialist III

• Bachelor’s Degree Bachelor’s degree in education, training, technical/operational discipline, or a related field; OR equivalent operations/industry experience may be considered.
• 4 years Current or previous NERC RC certification may be considered in lieu of SPP experience.

Senior Operations Functional Specialist

• Bachelor’s Degree (Three Years of experience in a responsible position on one or more of the SPP Operations functions may be considered in lieu of degree requirement)
• 6 years of relevant job-related experience In excess of degree requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in interchange scheduling, modeling validation, OATI e-Tagging, or EIR registration workflows.
• Working knowledge of SPP Tariff, Business Practices, BAL/INT NERC standards, and SPP Criteria.
• Experience coordinating with adjacent Balancing Authorities or Transmission Providers.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze modeling inconsistencies and system configuration issues.
• Experience with Source/Sink registrations, pseudo-tie processes, POR/POD validation, or settlement area assignments.
• Experience supporting real-time or next-day operational scheduling functions.
• Experience with operational reporting, regulatory compliance, or audit preparation.
• For Senior-level consideration, demonstrated experience independently resolving complex scheduling issues, coordinating software vendor resolutions, implementing operational improvements, or mentoring operations personnel.

Other Requirements

Operations Functional Specialist III

• Demonstrated experience with scheduling systems, transmission/BA processes, or OATI applications.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret detailed operational data.
• Effective communication skills for coordinating with internal teams and external entities.
• Ability to operate in a time‑sensitive, high‑volume operational environment.

Senior Operations Functional Specialist

• Knowledge of the calculation principles, functionality and data interfaces of applications used by multiple Functional Areas of Coordinated Operations and Market Operations.
• Knowledge of the Southwest Power Pool high voltage transmission system, the SPP Criteria, SPP Business Practices, NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Market Protocols, SPP Regional Tariff, SSAE16 Modeling Controls, SPP Change Control procedures, and SPP Contract Services.
• Knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, SPP Criteria, SPP Market Protocols, the SPP OATT and SPP OATT Business Practices.
• Knowledgeable of and conversant with tools such as the EMS, Open Access Same-time Information System, OASIS Automation and scheduling systems
• Strong inter-personal and teaming skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivation to take appropriate expedited action when required
• Initiative to stay abreast of industry developments
• Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
• Competent skills with communication and data handling software such as Microsoft Office© Word, Excel, and Access

Travel Requirement

This position requires minimal travel (approximately 0-15%).

SPP is an equal opportunity employer that makes employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Further, SPP makes good faith efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at_ _HR@spp.org_ _and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process._

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - SPP.