Associate Transmission Operator/Transmission Operator

BHE•Urbandale, IA

5d•$90,600 - $130,100

About The Position

MidAmerican Energy Company is hiring for an Associate Transmission Operator or Transmission Operator to monitor and operate the bulk electric power system, including 345 kV and 161 kV systems, under normal, emergency, and restoration conditions. The role follows North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, regional transmission operator procedures, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission standards of conduct. The Associate Transmission Operator works under the direction of a Transmission Operator, supporting switching preparation and instruction, alarm response, dispatching, and other operational 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 within 12 months of starting training. If standards are not met, a six-month remedial period applies, followed by an evaluation for possible advancement. Proficiency is determined through testing, observation, and the ability to obtain NERC certification. The Transmission Operator independently exercises judgment to ensure the safe, reliable, and economic operation of the bulk power transmission system and takes appropriate action to maintain and monitor system operating limits. Both roles include monitoring disturbances, maintaining voltage and reactive power conditions, coordinating equipment outages, using network applications, and communicating with adjacent control areas and regional reliability coordination entities. The Transmission Operator also provides training to system operations staff and field personnel. MidAmerican Energy Company provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. It owns and operates power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which are wind generation. The company is an equal opportunity employer. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

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 for candidates without a bachelor's degree.
Five years of experience in electric operations.
Obtain and maintain NERC certification as a Balancing, Interchange and Transmission Operator or Reliability Coordinator Operator; certification is required before assuming responsibility for operating the bulk power electric system.
High degree of technical knowledge related to operating the interconnected bulk power system under normal, emergency, and restoration conditions.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate key points, maintain listeners' attention, and consider recipients' needs.
Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to analyze issues, identify causes, anticipate implications, and determine effective courses of action.
Ability to coordinate construction or maintenance projects to maximize efficiency while ensuring continued reliability.
Ability to resolve conflicting demands diplomatically while maintaining system integrity and customer service reliability during outage periods.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
Ability to train groups of varying sizes on highly technical subjects.

Responsibilities

Complete training and become fully qualified as a Transmission Operator within 12 months of starting the training program (Associate Transmission Operator).
Operate the transmission system according to department policies and procedures and standards set by NERC, FERC, and the Regional Reliability Organization.
Monitor and respond to disturbances involving substation and transmission equipment, and take appropriate steps with the reliability coordinator when an operating security limit violation is detected.
Maintain proper voltage ampere reactive loading and transmission system voltage levels; take actions such as switching capacitors, reactors, and lightly loaded lines, adjusting transformer tap positions, and requesting voltage changes at power plants and adjoining power systems.
Coordinate requests for equipment outages to ensure reliability of the interconnected system.
Use network applications, including dispatching power flow, state estimator, and contingency analysis.
Transfer information required by NERC standards among adjacent control areas and regional reliability coordination entities, including the Mid-continent Independent System Operator/Midwest Reliability Organization.
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, reliable electric transmission and distribution system operation.
Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.