SYSTEM OPERATOR/SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR/SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I/II

City of Farmington • Farmington, NM

2d • $36 - $61 • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking to fill two (2) regular, full-time positions for System Operator/Senior System Operator/System Operator Trainee I/II within the Electric Utility/System Control department. The hiring level will depend on the candidate's experience and qualifications. These roles involve ensuring the reliability of the electric system, purchasing and selling electrical power, monitoring grid operations, and responding to disturbances or emergencies. Trainee positions focus on learning these duties under direct supervision and require obtaining NERC Certification within a specified period. Senior System Operator requires at least three years of experience, while System Operator requires completion of a trainee program or equivalent and current NERC Certification.

Requirements

• Has successfully completed the FEUS System Operator Trainee program, or has successfully completed an approved program at another utility (for System Operator).
• Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions (for System Operator, Senior System Operator, Day Shift System Operator).
• Has successfully completed at minimum three (3) years as a System Operator or equivalent experience in another utility (for Senior System Operator).
• Electric Utility background preferred (for Trainee I).
• Knowledge of fundamental concepts and/or specific or job-related traits highly desirable (for Trainee I).
• Demonstrated experience in a high stress environment (for Trainee I).
• Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification preferred (for Trainee I).
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in electric dispatch or 2 years electric utility experience directly related to the operation of distribution and transmission systems (for Trainee II).
• Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification desirable (for Trainee II).
• Accept rotating shift work.
• Must have a combination of classroom and on-the-job training in power system apparatus, relaying, control, and system emergency response.
• Proficiency in SCADA systems including resource/load balancing, var flow and control, and operation of power equipment through Remote Terminal Units (RTUs).
• Experience in power system generation, including energy and voltage control; electric transmission and distribution systems' operation; and, electronic scheduling tagging is required.
• Experience and knowledge of interconnected power systems and emergency restoration procedures.
• Knowledge of telemetry used in Area Control Error (ACE) calculations, hourly integrations, historical archiving and system load calculations.
• Knowledge of power system economic dispatch and dispatching of generation for system reliability and voltage control.
• Ability to react calmly, intelligently and efficiently under stressful conditions.
• Ability to direct field personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others verbally and written.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with others.
• Know Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and software applications using a browser, OATI tagging and on-line training such as S.O.S. (or learn within six months).
• Knowledge and understanding of basic math and basic algebra sufficient to reconcile daily/hourly loads and resources, calculate basic electrical concepts, and understand wheeling rates and contracts, losses and interchange accounts and power purchase and sales agreements.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.
• Extensive background check required.
• Must pass a Personnel Risk Assessment, which includes identity verification and a criminal background check.
• Must attend cyber security training.
• Must pass the NERC System Operator Certification Examination in Reliability (RC) or Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission (BIT) within the training period for Trainee I or Trainee II.

Nice To Haves

• Preference may be given to candidates who meet the above requirements and have any the following: Expert knowledge of distribution and transmission systems.
• Strong knowledge of NERC and WECC policies and procedures.
• NERC Certified System Operator.
• Completion of electric utility trades apprenticeship in transmission and distribution, generation, relay, or substation.
• Graduation from an accredited university with a bachelor's of science degree in electrical or power related engineering preferred or a minimum of two (2) years of technical training in basic electric power system design and operation.
• Experience with off-system sales and purchases preferred.
• Experience with reserve sharing pools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Purchases and sells electrical power on a real-time basis to meet customer needs.
• Monitors the grid for system ties to maintain reliability.
• Monitors and maintains transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution voltage within acceptable limits.
• Uses independent judgment in curtailing and restoring load.
• Takes or directs corrective actions to protect and restore the electric system, including shedding load and operating critical equipment.
• Ensures North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards are adhered to.
• Dispatches energy considering load requirements, service reliability, and economical utilization of power resources.
• Updates hourly loads, power resource schedules, and ensures hourly resource adequacy.
• Ensures reserves are maintained as required by the Southwest Reserve Sharing Group.
• Develops and executes arrangements within the WSPP agreement for power sales and purchases.
• Uses NERC tagging guidelines to develop, implement, and verify all power schedules and transactions.
• Prepares, processes, and coordinates switching procedures for transmission and distribution.
• Issues and records transmission and distribution hold tags and switching clearances.
• Restores electric service or reconfigures the system in the event of a disturbance or failure.
• Records information including hourly and daily electrical load, disturbances, failures, and relay breaker operations.
• Monitors voltage, frequency, loads, and Area Control Error (ACE) and performs minor adjustments using SCADA.
• Manages FEUS reserves, including requesting and activating reserve response for capacity emergencies.
• Conducts FEUS Real-Time Analysis and responds to identified contingencies.
• Provides on-the-job training to newly hired personnel.
• Answers trouble calls and arranges for repair crews.
• Performs rotation shift work, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Travels as required for training.
• Operates a motor vehicle as directed.
• Trains, practices, and assists to improve in the duties performed by the System Operator (for Trainee positions).
• Completes studies and NERC Certified training (for Trainee positions).

Benefits

• Salary covers all scheduled hours; hours worked in addition to the scheduled hours will be paid at time and a half (for System Operator/Senior System Operator).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree