Southwest Power Pool
Instructional Designer and Simulation Specialist
LMS
Edtech.com's Summary
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is hiring an Instructional Designer and Simulation Specialist. This role develops and maintains training programs and realistic simulation scenarios for system operators, collaborating with subject matter experts and operations leadership to ensure technically accurate, effective training aligned with regulatory standards.
Highlights
- Design and develop eLearning, asynchronous courses, and instructor-led training materials.
- Create simulation scenarios using GE Dispatch Training Simulators (DTS/MRTS) to support operator proficiency and emergency response.
- Collaborate with SMEs, operations leadership, and training teams to align training with operational needs and compliance requirements.
- Analyze training needs, evaluate performance gaps, and update training solutions based on feedback and assessment data.
- Manage and coordinate training projects, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards such as NERC operator certification.
- Required proficiency with instructional design principles and simulation-based training development.
- Bachelor's degree in related fields or equivalent experience, plus 4 years in instructional design or relevant technical training roles.
- Must have or obtain NERC Operator Certification within 12 months of hire.
- Salary range from $70,320 to $87,895 with competitive benefits including bonuses, insurance, retirement plans, and relocation support.
- Experience with electric utility operations, NERC standards, and real-time system operations preferred.
Instructional Designer and Simulation Specialist Full Description
Instructional Designer and Simulation Specialist
- Little Rock, AR 72223, USA
- Hybrid
- Training & Development
- Full-Time
- Requisition #: INSTR002392
Description
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:
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.
Instructional Designer Simulation Specialist Salary range: $70,320 – $87,895
Overview
The Instructional Designer & Simulation Training Specialist is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality training programs that support the readiness and performance of Southwest Power Pool (SPP) system operators and operations support personnel. This role combines modern instructional design practices with simulation-based training development to support real-time operations. The position develops eLearning and asynchronous learning solutions while also creating and maintaining realistic training scenarios within the GE Dispatch Training Simulators (DTS and MRTS). These simulation scenarios are used to reinforce reliability concepts, operational decision-making, and operator response to abnormal and emergency system conditions. Working in close collaboration with subject matter experts (SMEs), operations leadership, and the Operations Analysis and Performance Support training team, this role ensures training materials are technically accurate, instructionally sound, and aligned with regulatory expectations such as NERC operator training and credential maintenance requirements, SPP protocols and criteria.
What you will do:
- Analyze operational training needs in collaboration with system operators, engineers, and subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure the delivery format and content align with identified needs.
- Evaluate job tasks, reliability-related tasks, and performance gaps to inform training solutions.
- Assess system changes, operational procedures, and emerging reliability risks to determine training solutions.
- Review feedback, assessment results, and performance data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Partner with trainers, SMEs, and operations leadership to translate operational requirements into effective training solutions.
- Facilitate discussions with SMEs to validate technical accuracy and ensure alignment with real-time operations.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to support simulation exercises, drills, and training events.
- Serve as a liaison between training, operations, and technical teams to ensure alignment and shared understanding.
- Support operator readiness initiatives by collaborating on training strategies and priorities.
- Partner with development teams on new and changing application software that may impact system operators’ workflows, tools, or interfaces for training purposes.
- Coordinate and ensure the accessibility of all training solutions with the Learning Management System (LMS) in collaboration with the system administrator.
- Collaborate with staff and SMEs to pilot all new training solutions prior to implementation.
- Lead coordination of eLearning development efforts, including project initiatives, deliverables and timelines.
- Design and develop engaging training solutions including, eLearning, asynchronous courses, blended learning, and instructor-led materials.
- Develop detailed lesson plans, scripts, delivery timelines and obtain SME approval for all training solutions to ensure compliance requirements and project/departmental timelines are met.
- Translate complex technical content into clear, structured, and instructionally sound training solutions.
- Design and develop simulation scenarios in the GE Dispatch Training Simulator (DTS/MRTS) that replicate real-world grid conditions.
- Build scenarios that support operator proficiency in reliability-related tasks, emergency operations, and restoration activities.
- Support delivery of simulation-based training events, including drills, exercises, and readiness assessments.
- Maintain and update training solutions and simulation scenarios to reflect system and procedural changes.
- Integrate multimedia elements (audio, graphics, animations, video) into training solutions to enhance the learner’s experience.
- Capture and edit audio and/or video as needed to support training.
- Evaluate training effectiveness through assessments, observations, and participant feedback.
- Track and report training metrics related to operator performance and program effectiveness.
- Ensure alignment and traceability between learning objectives, training solutions, and assessment artifacts to support audit and compliance requirements.
- Incorporate evaluation data into updates to training solutions to drive continuous improvement.
- Stay current on industry trends, instructional design practices, and simulation-based training methodologies.
- Support training solutions aligned with NERC operator certification and desk qualification programs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Instructional Design, Education, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant operations, technical, or instructional experience
- 4 years Instructional design, simulation-based training, electric utility industry operations, or performance support in a technical operations environment
- NERC Operator Certification or the ability to obtain certification within twelve (12) months of hire. within 1 Year Required
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing simulation-based training scenarios using the GE Dispatch Training Simulator (DTS/MRTS) or similar platforms.
- Experience supporting training programs within electric utility operations or bulk electric system environments.
- Familiarity with NERC Reliability Standards, operator training requirements, and credential maintenance programs.
- Working knowledge of energy markets and real-time system operations.
- Understanding of the Eastern and Western Interconnections, particularly as it relates to SPP’s footprint.
- Knowledge of SPP Criteria, Market Protocols, OATT, and relevant FERC orders.
- Experience supporting operator qualification programs, drills, or large-scale simulation exercises (e.g., restoration drills, GridEx).
- Understanding of project management principles and experience managing training-related initiatives.
- Real-Time Operations qualification or the ability to obtain qualification within a defined timeframe.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers. This position involves access to sensitive, confidential, and/or security-restricted information. Work is performed in environments where adherence to information security policies, confidentiality requirements, and regulatory standards is required. The employee must be able to work in a manner that protects such information in accordance with organizational policies.
Physical Demands
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.
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers. This position involves access to sensitive, confidential, and/or security-restricted information. Work is performed in environments where adherence to information security policies, confidentiality requirements, and regulatory standards is required. The employee must be able to work in a manner that protects such information in accordance with organizational policies.
Physical Demands
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.
- Ability to maintain stationary positions (seated or standing) for extended periods, move short distances within the work environment, and lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to frequently use hands and fingers for reaching, handling, grasping, and operating keyboards and standard office equipment.
- Ability to constantly communicate effectively to exchange information, follow instructions, and work collaboratively with others.
- Ability to constantly access, interpret, and apply information to make decisions, solve problems, and monitor the work environment.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on organizational and operational needs, as determined by management. Occasional extended or non-standard hours may be required.
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.
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