System Operator

Priority Power Management LLC•Arlington, TX

72d•Onsite

About The Position

Priority Power Management is seeking a Substation System Operator to join its Grid Infrastructure team. This critical, around-the-clock technical role is responsible for real-time monitoring, control, and protection of electrical substation assets and SCADA systems from a centralized operations center. The operator works under the direction of the NOC Supervisor and collaborates with Engineering, Field Operations, and external utility partners to support system reliability, safety, and compliance. The role includes continuous surveillance of substation equipment and transmission and distribution networks, switching and tagging coordination, outage dispatching, alarm management, and maintaining awareness of power system conditions. Priority Power is willing to fully train the selected candidate, with or without applicable experience. The position may be based at Priority Power Management’s Arlington or Midland office locations. The schedule consists of 12-hour shifts in a 7-days-on/7-days-off rotation, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The work takes place in a climate-controlled Network Operations Center with a multiple-monitor workstation and requires sustained attention and rapid decision-making.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Must be comfortable working 12-hour shifts in a 7-days-on/7-days-off rotation, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Willingness to learn and develop proficiency in the technical systems is required.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Must be able and willing to attend meetings, training seminars, and certification programs as requested, including programs that may require overnight travel.
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, professional interpersonal conduct, and the ability to present clear reports to management.
Must perform well under stress in emergency, critical, or unusual situations; demonstrate ethical conduct, discretion with sensitive information, problem-solving ability, organization, multitasking, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
Must be able to sit for extended periods, remain alert and focused throughout 12-hour shifts including overnight hours, read and interpret system displays and documentation, and communicate clearly by phone and email.

Nice To Haves

An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Electrical Technology, Power Systems, Engineering Technology, or a related field is preferred but not required.
Previous experience in a utility control room, NOC, or power system operations environment is a plus.
Familiarity with SCADA/EMS platforms, substation equipment, protective relaying concepts, and power system operations is highly desirable.
NERC System Operator certification, or the ability to obtain it within a specified timeframe, may be required.

Responsibilities

Continuously monitor SCADA and operational platforms to maintain real-time awareness of substation and grid conditions.
Remotely operate substation equipment, including circuit breakers, reclosers, capacitor banks, voltage regulators, and tap changers, using SCADA.
Monitor and promptly respond to alarms, alerts, and abnormal system conditions, escalating critical events according to established protocols.
Make operational decisions based on current and projected system conditions, and perform load management and restorations as required.
Develop, write, and execute switching orders for planned and unplanned circuit transfers using mapping data, field verification, load-flow analysis, and engineering guidelines.
Create and coordinate hold orders to protect personnel during maintenance and construction activities.
Dispatch and manage outage response in coordination with field crews, engineering, and external utilities.
Coordinate planned transfers, outages, and interconnection activities with neighboring utilities, ISOs/RTOs, and member organizations.
Maintain knowledge of radial and networked transmission and distribution systems and substation equipment, including transformers, breakers, relays, switches, and protective devices.
Interpret single-line diagrams and substation layout drawings; understand protective relay coordination and recognize relay event sequences during fault conditions.
Dispatch and log field crews conducting maintenance, construction, and emergency work.
Maintain accurate operational logs, switching records, and incident reports for every shift.
Communicate with field personnel, engineering staff, management, and external entities during routine and emergency operations.
Participate in shift handover briefings, summarizing system status, ongoing activities, and pending issues.
Understand, observe, and enforce safety and security procedures and company policies; promptly report potentially unsafe conditions.
Support regulatory compliance and participate in audits, drills, and training exercises as required.
Coordinate with other departments to keep teams informed about ongoing system operations and planned activities.
Participate in professional development, training, and certification efforts as directed, and perform other related duties as assigned.