Assistant System Operator

NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY•Marcy Township, IA

13d•$73,000 - $91,000

About The Position

The Assistant System Operator supports the daily management and coordination of NYPA operations, including monitoring and evaluating operational performance and helping ensure reliable operation of NYPA generation and transmission facilities. In the control center, the role focuses on NERC Generator Operator (GOP) tasks and verbal coordination. The operator uses the ECC Energy Management System (EMS) and NYISO Management Information System (MIS) to monitor real-time generation and basic water-management status, coordinate generation and switching activities, and support reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System within applicable limits. The position supports System Operators and Senior System Operators in control-room tasks and follows directives from the Senior System Operator. It requires rotating shifts, including nights, midnights, weekends, and holidays; overtime may occasionally be required. The role involves approximately 10% travel, primarily within New York State.

Requirements

Associate degree in Electrical Technology or an equivalent science or technology field; alternatively, at least one year of equivalent direct electric-grid or power-system-related work experience may be considered for candidates with a non-technical degree.
Possess or be able to obtain NERC Transmission Operator Certification within one year of hire.
Basic knowledge of power-system generation and transmission concepts.
Ability to successfully complete NYISO System Operator Training.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to learn three-part communication.
Working knowledge of PC office programs such as Word and Excel.
Ability to learn and use an Energy Management System.
Ability to communicate verbally and effectively with NYPA Regional Projects and outside entities such as NYISO and GRM.
Ability to sit for long periods, up to 12 hours, in front of computer monitors while maintaining situational awareness; communicate effectively in English; and see, hear, and react to alarms.
Ability to travel approximately 10%, primarily within New York State.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Electrical Engineering, another engineering discipline, or a related technical field.
Control-center operator experience.
Utility or power-plant experience in operations or maintenance, high-voltage electrical work, or instrument-controls technology.
Military technical or nuclear training.
Experience working rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

Monitor NYPA generation and transmission facilities and real-time operating conditions using the ECC EMS and NYISO MIS.
Coordinate NYPA generation stop-starts and monitor generation at 15-minute intervals to ensure units remain on schedule.
Assess generation reserves bid by NYPA Generator Resource Management and review NYPA Generator Day Ahead Market schedules.
Coordinate and document derates and NYISO out-of-merit conditions.
Assess metering and after-the-fact readings to validate accuracy.
Navigate EMS one-line diagrams and monitor transmission network applications to support normal operations.
Calculate water in the BG reservoir for reserves and to meet NYISO schedules.
Coordinate verbally with NYPA Regional Projects and external entities, including NYISO and GRM, and coordinate switching schedules with regional projects and local transmission owners/operators.
Review NYPA outage coordination summary sheets to identify generation planned to be out of service.
Adhere to NERC, NPCC, NYISO, and NYPA requirements and fulfill competencies in formally identified tasks.
Learn and maintain a basic understanding of NYPA Operating Policies, Control Room Guides, Instructions, Bulletins, and NYISO memoranda.
Support System Operators and Senior System Operators with control-room tasks and follow the Senior System Operator’s directives.