Associate Transmission Operator/Transmission Operator

Berkshire Hathaway Energy•Urbandale, IA

About The Position

The Associate Transmission Operator works under the direction of a Transmission Operator to monitor and operate the bulk electric power system, including 345 kV and 161 kV systems, following North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, regional transmission operator procedures, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission standards of conduct. The role supports the Transmission Operator with switching preparation and instruction, alarm response, dispatching, and other assigned duties. It is a training position intended to prepare the employee to operate the system independently. Performance is reviewed after 8–12 months, and the employee is expected to achieve proficiency and advance to Transmission Operator within 12 months of starting training. If performance standards are not met, a six-month remedial period is provided, followed by an evaluation for possible advancement. Proficiency is determined through testing, observation, and the ability to acquire NERC certification. The Transmission Operator independently exercises judgment in operating the 345 kV and 161 kV bulk electric power system under normal, emergency, and restoration conditions. The role helps ensure safe, reliable, and economic operation of the bulk power transmission system by monitoring system operating limits and taking appropriate action. Both roles involve system monitoring, disturbance response, voltage and reactive power management, coordination of equipment outages, information exchange with adjacent control areas and regional reliability entities, and applying human performance improvement practices.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a technical field or an equivalent combination of education and experience; typically, six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
Five years of experience in electric operations.
Obtain and maintain NERC certification at the Balancing, Interchange and Transmission Operator or Reliability Coordinator Operator level; certification at one of these levels is required before assuming responsibility for operating the bulk power system.
High degree of technical knowledge related to operating the interconnected 345 kV and 161 kV bulk electric system under normal, emergency, and restoration conditions.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain key points, maintain others' attention, and take recipients' needs into account.
Ability to train groups of various sizes on highly technical subjects (Associate Transmission Operator); ability to train groups of various sizes on highly technical subjects is also required for the Transmission Operator.
Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to analyze issues systematically, identify causes, anticipate implications, and determine effective courses of action.
Ability to coordinate construction or maintenance projects while maximizing efficiency and maintaining reliability.
Ability to resolve conflicting demands diplomatically while maintaining system integrity and reliable customer service during outage periods.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

Responsibilities

Complete training to become fully qualified as a Transmission Operator within 12 months of starting the training program.
Operate the transmission system according to department policies and procedures and NERC, FERC, and Regional Reliability Organization standards.
Monitor and respond to disturbances involving substation and transmission equipment, and coordinate appropriate action with the reliability coordinator when an operating security limit violation is detected.
Maintain proper voltage, ampere-reactive loading, and voltage levels; take actions such as switching capacitors, reactors, and lightly loaded transmission lines, adjusting transformer tap positions, and requesting voltage changes at power plants and adjoining power systems.
Coordinate equipment outage requests to support reliability of the interconnected system, using network applications such as dispatching power flow, state estimator, and contingency analysis.
Transfer information required by NERC standards among adjacent control areas and regional reliability coordination entities.
Provide training within the system operations department and to field personnel (Transmission Operator).
Provide technical input to assist in project planning.
Demonstrate knowledge of human performance improvement techniques and evaluate and implement practices, processes, training, and tools to prevent, detect, and correct human errors that could affect safe and reliable operation of the electric transmission and distribution system.
Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.