Southwest Power Pool (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: SPP is not able to 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.

Principal Operations Specialist Salary Range: $151, 530 - $196, 970

Join our team as a Principal Operations Specialist!

The Principal Operations Specialist is a senior-level role responsible for supporting the SVP of Operations and SPP management team in addressing both ongoing and strategic operational policy issues. This position requires extensive knowledge of SPP’s history, governing documents, stakeholder landscape, and national operational policy trends—and how they apply within the SPP organization and culture.

This role serves as a key operational policy resource across SPP, providing guidance to internal teams, stakeholders, and external industry partners. The Principal Operations Specialist also acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on operational policy issues, ensuring alignment, coordination, and compliance across departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical advisor across all Operations Support functions
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and complex projects from start to finish
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to staff
• Identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities and drive solutions
• Support critical operational work across teams as needed
• Represent SPP in industry groups and external engagements
• Develop strategic analyses, technical guidance, and documentation
• Support major initiatives and new program integration across the organization

To be successful we're looking for:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Accounting, Economics or another relevant field of study.
• Fifteen (15) years’ experience in electric system operations, real-time operations support, operations training or other area of responsibility related to reliability operations and market operations
• Extensive knowledge of electric utility operational policies and practices, electric utility market operations, and markets including market monitoring, generally accepted ratemaking, cost allocation and pricing principles, resource planning, policies and procedures of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory commissions
• Operational knowledge and experience in the Western Interconnection
• Knowledge of computer business applications and database management systems
• Regular attendance
• Flexibility and the ability to function with constantly changing and multiple priorities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures

Preferred

• Previous supervisory experience

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of the workweek are Monday through Friday; 8: 00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required.

Travel Requirement:

• This position requires travel (approximately 20%)

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment 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. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.