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Career Level Guide
LIVE, WORK AND PLAY!
Chelan County PUD is located in the geographical center of Washington State at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. A public power leader, the complex and progressive nature of PUD operations offer a unique mix of challenges and opportunities.
We rely on the mighty Columbia River for much of our hydropower generation and we're proud to take a leadership role in environmental stewardship as related to this great river system. Each year we dedicate millions of dollars and thousands of work hours to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plant ecosystems. As part of hydropower operations, we've also built 14 parks that serve more than 3 million visitors each year.
Rated by Sunset Magazine as one of the top 20 Western DREAM TOWNS and by Forbes in 2017 as one of the top 25 places to retire, Wenatchee is a recreational paradise with an abundance of adventure. The natural scenic beauty of the Wenatchee Valley provides a vivid backdrop to its thriving economy, where the quality of life is high and the climate is moderate with four distinct seasons, including more than 200 days of sunshine!
We are a small town to some and big city to others. We invest in our children and believe that education is the key to our future success.
We live a life of abundant choices and enjoy water sports on the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, hiking, biking, rock climbing and unlimited golfing. Downhill and cross-country skiing are just minutes away. The area is also known for producing quality wines.
Consider Chelan PUD as a career choice today! The community is waiting for you.
Chelan PUD is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. M/F/Vet/Disabled
PLEASE NOTE
This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately - the next review date is scheduled for June 8, 2021.
Applicants are required to submit a combined cover letter and resume in one document. Your cover letter must describe directly related experience performing river planning, data or financial modeling, economic analysis or similar application of statistics, finance, mathematics and problem solving. Also describe any experience working in the electric utility industry or with cascading river systems. Incomplete materials will not be considered.
To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF or WORD document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process.
Interested parties are also invited to contact Ruth Erwert, Recruiting Manager, at (509) 661-4540 or joblist@chelanpud.org to discuss the position.
SALARY RANGE
In addition to a competitive salary range (based on qualifications, skills and abilities), Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include the option of a zero cost medical plan (medical, dental and vision for all eligible dependents), short and long-term disability, Washington State Public Employee's Retirement System, Deferred Compensation (with company matching funds up to 5%), 11 holidays and initial personal leave accrual at 21 days per year.
The position may be filled at varying levels: I $57,040 - $71,300; II $75,360 - $94,200; III $101,040 - $126,300; IV $117,920 - $147,400 (See CAREER LEVEL GUIDE for detailed information).
Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.
JOB POSTING
JOB PURPOSE:
The River Planner maintains the coordinated operation of the District's Rocky Reach and Rock Island projects and enhances communication between energy planning and trading, system operations, plant operations, power purchasers, and upstream and downstream parties. There are four (4) levels in the River Planner job family (see career level guide for additional information).
JOB FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the job satisfactorily. Essential functions are those activities that, if not performed, would significantly and fundamentally alter the position. Essential functions listed below are for level II incumbent (see career level guide for job functions defined for each level).
# EF % of Time Job Functions
1. EF 40% Act as technical specialist/troubleshooter.
a. Respond to requests for technical advice and assistance from any District personnel and occasionally from outside utilities and federal agencies, speaking on behalf of the District as a technical specialist. Responses will support District operational goals and initiatives.
b. Provide assistance to management and staff in other business units to establish model settings for unit, plant, and transmission system outages in order to meet system
constraints.
2. EF 30% Provide technical input into reservoir operations and generation dispatch with particular emphasis on:
a. Forecast reservoir levels by collecting data, developing models, and implementing moderately complex solutions using modeling software such as RiverWare or Vista,
spreadsheets, or other methods. Communicate results with relevant upstream/downstream parties.
b. Primary responsibility for maintaining complex systems that are critical to business continuity and require 24x7 support.
c. Facilitate information exchange and communications about projects and upcoming special operations. Participate in cross-functional communication teams.
d. Participate in strategic relationships with other entities to develop ongoing communications/enhance future river coordination.
e. Identify inconsistencies and confirm corrections to accounting calculations of participant energy allocations resulting from inflow, generation, spill, and storage. JOB
f. Design system improvements to implement new bidding strategies for existing and new markets (such as the energy imbalance market) and identify how they may affect Rocky Reach and Rock Island project coordination.
3. EF 20% Implement plans and procedures for the coordinated operation and real-time water management of Rocky Reach and Rock Island projects.
a. Develop and communicate operating plans and procedures for system operations personnel, project operators, and Rocky Reach and Rock Island project participants.
b. Monitor and report on correctness and effectiveness of data inputs/outputs, plans and procedures.
4. EF 5% Develop and maintain up-to-date operating guidelines. Assist and develop training materials. Provide training to District staff on all aspects of Rocky Reach and Rock Island Coordination.
5. EF 5% Act as the primary vendor contact and contract manager for the vendorsupported software systems used to plan river operations and perform generation dispatch.
6. EF Ongoing Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
QUALIFICATIONS: The qualifications listed below are representative of those required, but reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Post-Secondary Education:
Bachelor's degree (B. S., B. A.) in engineering, mathematics/statistics, software engineering/computer science or a related field from a college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Individuals who have completed river optimization training are desired.
Experience:
Level II incumbent typically requires a minimum of three (3) years’ experience performing river planning or related activities such as data or financial modeling, economic analysis, or similar application of statistics, finance, mathematics, and problem solving. Candidates with experience managing projects or programs are desired. Candidates with utilities industry experience desired. Level III incumbents require seven (7) years of stated experience above and level IV incumbents require 10 years of stated experience above, with river planning experience a preference.
Specific KSA's: A fully skilled incumbent will have the following specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (these represent level II; see career level guide for full description of all job family levels).
Knowledge
• Working knowledge of District operations, policies, and practices.
• Basic user knowledge of computer hardware, networks, and security JOB DESCRIPTION
• Strong knowledge of system analysis, requirements gathering techniques and related documentation standards.
• Basic knowledge of programming languages.
• Basic understanding of database usage.
• Knowledge and experience with computer applications.
• Strong knowledge of systems used by end-users in the day-to-day management of Rocky Reach and Rock Island hydro projects.
• Strong knowledge of cascading hydro operations.
• Knowledge of Columbia River operating agreements and related regulatory requirements
Skills & Abilities:
• Solid written and oral communication skills.
• Coordination skills.
• Solid critical thinking skills.
• Complex problem-solving skills.
• Well-developed judgment and decision-making skills.
• Project management skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Ability to evaluate and incorporate the latest developments in the field of cascading hydro river operations, reservoir storage reallocations, operational system studies, and real-time water management.
• Ability to integrate technical requirements into control logic and to document those requirements in writing.
• Proven ability to demonstrate problem sensitivity, which is the ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.
• Ability to identify problems, propose solutions, and work collaboratively to implement hydraulic modeling and forecasting software, real-time dispatch software and energy accounting software.
• Ability to positively influence others to encourage appropriate actions without formal authority.
• Strong understanding of database usage.
Language Skills:
Must be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Computers & Equipment: A fully skilled incumbent will have the ability to utilize the following software,
hardware, or equipment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual is required to have of the ability to learn, or have existing knowledge of, PeopleSoft Time Entry/HRIS; General Office Equipment and Microsoft Outlook. Moderate knowledge is desired in Data & Transaction Management (OATI, WIT, OASIS, Hydro DB, PI); OSI, DataLink, ProcessBook, and VBA. Intermediate knowledge is desired in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Strong knowledge is desired in RiverWare, RT Vista Plan, RT Vista Station, and in Microsoft Excel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required use hands to finger, handle, or feel; perform repetitive hand or arm motion; talk,
hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; carry or lift unassisted up to 10 pounds climb or balance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level is usually moderate
BACKGROUND SCREENING
Pursuant to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of personnel who have access to the District's critical physical and/or cyber assets.
DISCLAIMER
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.
EEO
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.
EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers page in English and Spanish.
Chelan PUD will not be offering any work visa sponsorship for this role.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c)