ECC BA Operator Trainee

APS•Phoenix, AZ

35d•Onsite

About The Position

APS is looking for a BA Operator Trainee to join their ECC team! The Balancing Authority is responsible for maintaining generation-load-frequency control, ensuring accurate transmission scheduling and participating in the Energy Imbalance Market. The ECC BA Operator Trainee is expected to complete qualifications within assigned time frames. This position works on rotating 12 hours shifts.

Requirements

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
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.
Experience operating a Balancing Authority and making real-time control decisions to maintain system reliability within design limits.
Knowledge of FERC, NERC, and WECC policies, and a proven track record of adhering to regulatory procedures in power system operations.
Authority and confidence to initiate emergency load reduction when energy resources fall short of demand, ensuring grid stability under pressure.
Expertise in monitoring generation and reserves, and ensuring compliance with interconnected system agreements and power pool criteria.
Strong communication and coordination skills with system marketers, especially around unit commitment, plant status, and Energy Imbalance Market operations.
This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.

Nice To Haves

Two years' experience as a NERC certified operator within the WECC.
Demonstrated knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry; demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills; PC literate.

Responsibilities

Analyze conditions; take control action to operate the APS Balancing Authority within design limits.
To 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.