Supervisor - OT App Support

Company Summary Statement

As one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the United States, PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), is committed to creating long-term, sustainable value for our 3.5 million customers, our shareowners and the communities we serve. Our high-performing regulated utilities — PPL Electric Utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric, Kentucky Utilities and Rhode Island Energy — provide an outstanding experience for our customers, consistently ranking among the best utilities in the nation. PPL’s companies are also addressing challenges head-on by investing in new infrastructure and technology that is creating a smarter, more reliable and resilient energy grid. We are committed to doing our part to advance a cleaner energy future and drive innovation that enables us to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy reliability and affordability for the customers and communities we serve. PPL is a positive force in the cities and towns where we do business, providing support for programs and organizations that empower the success of future generations by helping to build and maintain strong, diverse communities today.

Overview

Responsible for providing guidance and direction to Operations Application Support staff to support safe, reliable and secure operation of the Transmission and Distribution Systems in accordance with regulatory and RTO/ISO/PUC guidelines. Directs the development of PPL EU and RIE Transmission or Distribution Energy Management Systems (EMS) and operational technology systems to deliver highly-available, reliable, and secure applications and systems for real-time operations. Oversees a team in provisioning operational technology platforms for PPL's Operations Control Centers. The position is also accountable for the technical quality of the group's output and is expected to continuously improve capabilities in this area. This position makes decisions guided by policies, procedures, and business plan. Typically, does not perform the work at the level being supervised, but will have individual technical and business-related assignments in support of department goals and special projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct and/or assist with organizing and prioritizing work group activities, assigning and/or scheduling work duties to meet required completion dates.

• Evaluate direct reports for the purpose of developing organizational talent and building expertise in areas required by the department.

• Develop leadership skills and coordinate technical training aspects for self and group members.

• Work with other departments on cross-functional technical and business teams, working groups or committees to achieve goals and objectives of the department and company.

• Assist in the development of changes in methods or processes in assigned area of responsibility and make recommendations for implementation.

• Translate operational needs of control centers into technical requirements for supported applications

• Optimizes operation of EMS and associated computer systems through continuous monitoring of performance characteristics, performing or coordinating database updates, and identifying and correcting areas of deteriorating application performance.

• Keeps current with all technical aspects of the transmission and distribution systems and their technological advancements, including those supporting computerized data associated with the EMS through constant study, personal development, and vendor engagement.

• Assist in the preparation, monitoring and forecasting of the department budget.

• Support the development of section and department goals and metrics.

• Select, train, coach, and develop direct reports to build self-motivated and effective teams.

• Evaluate workload, manpower requirements, and technical abilities to identify and recommend the need for overtime use of additional resources.

• Evaluates and monitors EMS admin contractors and consultants.

• Research and analyze technical and/or business plans, designs, proposals, projects or strategies; provide results and/or recommendations in support of department objectives.

• Review, revise and communicate procedures in support of administrative and technical improvement initiatives. Responsible for the application of organizational policies.

• Set priorities to ensure task completion and coordinates work activities with other supervisors, acting as a liaison with other sections or departments.

• Maintain positive working relationships with control room staff and leadership as well as external oversight/regulating entities such as PJM, ISO-NE, RF, NPCC, etc.

• Establish a high-level understanding of where operational applications fit into the overall IT and power system architecture.

• Provide urgent leadership support and direction during the real-time troubleshooting of application issues.

• Assist in investigations related to operational incidents and system failures/deficiencies.

• Perform special tasks, initiatives, or projects assigned by manager.

• If applicable, in-person supervision of employees to ensure compliance with FLSA wage and hour issues as well as to monitor compliance with safety rules.

• Performs other duties as assigned

• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree - ABET Accredited Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Technology (IT)

Required Experience:

• 5+ years of related experience (Engineering, IT or System Operations), or a master’s degree in engineering, computer science or IT plus 3 years of related experience, or a PhD in Engineering plus 2 years of related experience.

• Demonstrated leadership skills by achieving positive results under non-ideal circumstances

• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry codes and standards related to the electric utility industry

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GE AEMS or ADMS

• Comprehensive knowledge of department programs, policies, procedures and business plans

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction to technical and non-technical personnel

• Knowledge of advanced management theories, practices and techniques

• Sound judgment, technical insight, and strong initiative to direct other engineers on resolution of complex issues

• Strong verbal and written communication and influencing skills

• Ability to work well with individuals on all levels of the organization.

• Knowledge of relevant NERC CIP, IRO, COM, EOP and TOP standards

Work Conditions:

Pennsylvania - Allentown

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree - ABET Accredited Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Technology (IT)

Required Experience:

• 5+ years of related experience (Engineering, IT or System Operations), or a master’s degree in engineering, computer science or IT plus 3 years of related experience, or a PhD in Engineering plus 2 years of related experience.

• Demonstrated leadership skills by achieving positive results under non-ideal circumstances

• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry codes and standards related to the electric utility industry

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GE AEMS or ADMS

• Comprehensive knowledge of department programs, policies, procedures and business plans

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction to technical and non-technical personnel

• Knowledge of advanced management theories, practices and techniques

• Sound judgment, technical insight, and strong initiative to direct other engineers on resolution of complex issues

• Strong verbal and written communication and influencing skills

• Ability to work well with individuals on all levels of the organization.

• Knowledge of relevant NERC CIP, IRO, COM, EOP and TOP standards

Work Conditions:

Pennsylvania - Allentown

• Lead, direct and/or assist with organizing and prioritizing work group activities, assigning and/or scheduling work duties to meet required completion dates.

• Evaluate direct reports for the purpose of developing organizational talent and building expertise in areas required by the department.

• Develop leadership skills and coordinate technical training aspects for self and group members.

• Work with other departments on cross-functional technical and business teams, working groups or committees to achieve goals and objectives of the department and company.

• Assist in the development of changes in methods or processes in assigned area of responsibility and make recommendations for implementation.

• Translate operational needs of control centers into technical requirements for supported applications

• Optimizes operation of EMS and associated computer systems through continuous monitoring of performance characteristics, performing or coordinating database updates, and identifying and correcting areas of deteriorating application performance.

• Keeps current with all technical aspects of the transmission and distribution systems and their technological advancements, including those supporting computerized data associated with the EMS through constant study, personal development, and vendor engagement.

• Assist in the preparation, monitoring and forecasting of the department budget.

• Support the development of section and department goals and metrics.

• Select, train, coach, and develop direct reports to build self-motivated and effective teams.

• Evaluate workload, manpower requirements, and technical abilities to identify and recommend the need for overtime use of additional resources.

• Evaluates and monitors EMS admin contractors and consultants.

• Research and analyze technical and/or business plans, designs, proposals, projects or strategies; provide results and/or recommendations in support of department objectives.

• Review, revise and communicate procedures in support of administrative and technical improvement initiatives. Responsible for the application of organizational policies.

• Set priorities to ensure task completion and coordinates work activities with other supervisors, acting as a liaison with other sections or departments.

• Maintain positive working relationships with control room staff and leadership as well as external oversight/regulating entities such as PJM, ISO-NE, RF, NPCC, etc.

• Establish a high-level understanding of where operational applications fit into the overall IT and power system architecture.

• Provide urgent leadership support and direction during the real-time troubleshooting of application issues.

• Assist in investigations related to operational incidents and system failures/deficiencies.

• Perform special tasks, initiatives, or projects assigned by manager.

• If applicable, in-person supervision of employees to ensure compliance with FLSA wage and hour issues as well as to monitor compliance with safety rules.

• Performs other duties as assigned

• Complies with all policies and standards

Remote Work

The company reserves the right to determine if this position will be assigned to work on-site, remotely, or a combination of both. Assigned work location may change. In the case of remote work, physical presence in the office/on-site may be required to engage in face-to-face interaction and coordination of work among direct reports and co-workers.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Our company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identify, genetic information, disability status, or any other protected characteristic.