EIM OPS SPECIALIST- SR

El Paso Electric Company•El Paso, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves monitoring and operating the western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) to support El Paso Electric’s Balancing Authority. The specialist will ensure the reliable operation of EPE’s generation and transmission systems during both normal and emergency conditions. Key responsibilities include initiating operational actions during emergencies, coordinating with stakeholders for compliance, and working with various teams to dispatch energy resources. The position requires maintaining and utilizing the Outage Management System (OMS), operating the system on a real-time basis to balance generation and load, and entering/maintaining energy schedules. The specialist will also monitor generation conditions, interpret alarms, and utilize market applications for real-time operations. Compliance with reliability standards, reporting, and maintaining working knowledge of operational procedures are crucial. The role also includes performing other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of electrical principles, power system operations, and generation facilities, including alternating current fundamentals, power plant operations, and electrical safety policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret Single Line Diagrams, Meter Line Diagrams, generation and interchange telemetry data, and market integration documentation, including GRDT, IRDT, and MV‑90 data systems.
Ability to maintain continuous situational awareness of system conditions, including Local Marginal Prices (LMPs), congestion, and operating constraints; anticipate contingencies; and take proactive actions to ensure system reliability and stability.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams) and ability to learn and operate specialized systems such as Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) applications, Outage Management Systems (OMS), Open Access Technology International (OATI) tools, and the Energy Management System (EMS).
Must successfully pass the NERC Balancing Authority, Transmission Operator, or Reliability Coordinator (BIT) examination, and obtain a NERC System Operator Certification within six (6) months of hire.
Ability to project current system conditions into future operating horizons and take appropriate corrective or preventive actions.
Ability to apply control system principles to real‑time operations and resolve complex operational problems under dynamic conditions with limited standardization.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English with operating personnel responsible for real‑time balancing, generation control, market operations, and interconnected Bulk Electric System reliability.
Ability to work 12‑hour rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and provide additional coverage as operational needs require.
Ability to build effective working relationships and foster teamwork across departments and external stakeholders.
Ability to travel for training, certification maintenance, seminars, and representation at industry‑related meetings.
Demonstrated effective verbal, written, and three‑part communication skills.
Ability to maintain professional working relationships with officers, managers, coworkers, and external entities.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive operational and market information.

Nice To Haves

NERC BIT operator certification or ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire date.

Responsibilities

Monitor and operate the western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) in support of El Paso Electric’s Balancing Authority, ensuring reliable operation of EPE’s generation and transmission systems during normal and emergency conditions.
Initiate appropriate operational actions during emergencies or abnormal system conditions to return the system to a safe and reliable state, in accordance with delegated System Operator authority.
Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure proper documentation and compliance for market integration and regulatory requirements.
Work closely with Power Marketing, EIM Merchants, and Real-Time Schedulers to coordinate and dispatch energy resources in accordance with load requirements and EIM awards.
Maintain and utilize the Outage Management System (OMS), including monitoring ambient derates, calculating scheduled and forced outage rates, and assessing forecast error impacts.
Operate the system on a real-time, minute-by-minute basis to balance generation and load, manage interchange schedules, and verify metered flows between EPE and interconnected entities.
Enter and maintain energy schedules in the EMS for committed energy sales and purchases.
Monitor and manage unit commitment, manual dispatch, load bias, ETSRs, economic dispatch, and EIM dispatch instructions, ensuring generators operate under Automatic Generation Control (AGC) as required.
Interpret and respond to SCADA alarms, telemetry system status, and operating limits; monitor inadvertent energy, equipment status, and system alarms.
Utilize OATI market applications, EIM market applications, and settlements tools to support real-time market operations.
Monitor generation conditions, ACE, frequency, BAAL events, operating modes, and telemetry to maintain compliance with reliability standards.
Prepare and support reports for management, neighboring utilities, market participants, and reserve sharing groups related to system disturbances, emergencies, or abnormal operations.
Comply with all FERC Standards of Conduct, NERC reliability standards, and applicable WECC requirements.
Communicate significant system events using EPE’s established notification and paging systems.
Communicate abnormal system conditions and operational issues to the CAISO Real-Time Market Operator (RTMO) as required.
Review and approve Power Marketing’s daily Resource Plan and unit commitment schedules.
Track inadvertent energy balances and perform time-error corrections as directed by interchange authorities.
Maintain compliance with company policies, procedures, safety requirements, environmental regulations, and ethical standards.
Maintain working knowledge of EPE’s Switching Standards of System Operations and all applicable NERC and FERC reliability standards.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Company Driving Program requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned within the scope of System Operator and EIM operational responsibilities.