System Operator/Senior System Operator/System Operator Trainee I/Ii

City of Farmington•Farmington, NM

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking to fill two (2) 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 are regular, full-time positions with varied shifts and days worked. The role involves ensuring the reliability of the electric system, managing power purchases and sales, monitoring grid operations, and responding to disturbances or emergencies. Trainee positions involve comprehensive training in all aspects of system operation, including NERC certification requirements.

Requirements

Current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions (System Operator, Senior System Operator, Day Shift System Operator).
Successfully completed the FEUS System Operator Trainee program, or an approved program at another utility (System Operator).
Successfully completed at minimum three (3) years as a system operator or equivalent experience in another utility (Senior System Operator).
Minimum of 2 years' experience in electric dispatch or 2 years electric utility experience directly related to the operation of distribution and transmission systems (System Operator Trainee II).
Demonstrated experience in a high stress environment (System Operator Trainee I).
Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification (System Operator Trainee I & II).
Expert knowledge of distribution and transmission systems (preferred for Trainee II).
Strong knowledge of NERC and WECC policies and procedures (preferred for Trainee II).
NERC Certified System Operator (preferred for Trainee II).
Completion of electric utility trades apprenticeship in transmission and distribution, generation, relay, or substation (preferred for Trainee II).
Minimum of two (2) years of technical training in basic electric power system design and operation (preferred 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.
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 (6) months).
Knowledge and understanding of basic math and basic algebra.
Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.
Must pass a Personnel Risk Assessment, including 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

Electric Utility background preferred (System Operator Trainee I).
Experience with off-system sales and purchases preferred.
Experience with reserve sharing pools preferred.
Graduation from an accredited university with a bachelor's of science degree in electrical or power related engineering preferred (System Operator Trainee II).

Responsibilities

Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor.
Ensures North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards are adhered to.
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.
Assures NERC and WECC training requirements are met.
Dispatches energy over the electric utility system considering load requirements, 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.
Monitors, enters, and verifies hourly loads and resources for reporting.
Develops and executes arrangements within the WSPP agreement for power sales and purchases.
Uses NERC tagging guidelines to develop, implement, and verify 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 reserves response.
Ensures FEUS Real-Time Analysis is conducted at least every 30 minutes.
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 learning buying and selling of power, monitoring and maintaining reliability of the system, and knowledge in returning and restoring load (Trainee positions).
Completes studies and NERC Certified training (Trainee positions).
Passes the NERC System Operator Certification Examination in Reliability (RC) or Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission (BIT) within the training period (Trainee positions).