ECC BA Operator Trainee

APS • Phoenix, AZ

32d • Onsite

About The Position

APS is looking for a BA Operator Trainee to join their ECC team! As an ECC BA Operator Trainee, you'll help support the reliable delivery of electricity across the APS service territory by monitoring power system conditions and assisting with real-time grid operations. This role is critical to maintaining system reliability, balancing energy supply and demand, and supporting the safe operation of the regional power grid. Your work helps ensure homes, businesses, hospitals, and communities have the electricity they depend on every day.

Requirements

• Interest in power system operations and a desire to learn how real-time decisions support the safe and reliable operation of the electric grid.
• Foundational knowledge of power system operations, energy markets, or utility operations, with the ability to learn and apply complex operating procedures.
• Understanding of or willingness to learn FERC, NERC, and WECC reliability standards and the critical role they play in maintaining system reliability.
• Ability to analyze information quickly, remain calm under pressure, and make sound decisions in dynamic operating environments.
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively across operations, generation, transmission, and energy marketing teams.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records, documenting operating activities, and following established procedures.
• Motivation to develop expertise in monitoring generation resources, system reserves, and transmission schedules while supporting reliable grid operations.
• High school/GED and four (4) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work OR BS/BA/AA in related technical field or operations/business management and two (2) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work management OR NERC (North American Electric Reliability)- Reliability Coordinator (RC) Active Certification and two (2) years’ experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system-electric field work or other electric operations work
• Ability to obtain the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification within six (6) months of hire and to complete all continuing education as required by NERC and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).
• Continue educational and professional development beyond the level of basis (entry level) training.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry; demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills; PC literate.

Nice To Haves

• Two years' experience as a NERC certified operator within the WECC.
• Experience operating a Balancing Authority and making real-time control decisions to maintain system reliability within design limits.
• NERC RC Certiication

Responsibilities

• Monitor power system conditions and support real-time operational decision-making to help maintain grid reliability.
• Track generation resources and system reserves to help ensure customer demand can be met safely and efficiently.
• Collaborate with energy marketers, generation teams, and regional reliability partners to maintain awareness of changing system conditions.
• Support the coordination of power schedules, transmission activity, and energy transactions across interconnected systems.
• Document operational events, communications, and system activities with accuracy to support compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with responding to changing grid conditions and contribute to maintaining the safe, reliable delivery of electricity.
• Analyze conditions; take control action to operate the APS Balancing Authority within design limits.
• Follow all FERC, NERC and WECC operating policies and procedures.
• Exercise full authority to implement emergency load reduction when energy resources cannot meet load requirements.
• Continually monitor on-line generation to ensure required system operating reserves; and ensure the interconnected system and associated power pool operating agreements, criteria and guidelines are met.
• Interface with system marketers to ensure proper communications with regard to power plant status and generating unit commitment, and Energy Imbalance Market activities.
• Provide complete and accurate documentation of all system events, problems, transactions, commitments, and communications relating to real time system operations, generation and scheduling of APS and interconnected system energy resources. Documentation is for management, state and federal regulatory review.
• Update available transmission postings, process requests for transmission service, and implement transmission and energy interchange schedules in computer.

Benefits

• The company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED