SYSTEM OPERATOR TRANSMISSION-ASSOC-STAFF

El Paso Electric Company•El Paso, TX

24d•$79,400 - $124,942

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Manager of System Operations, the System Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of EPE’s transmission and distribution systems. The role works with operating and field personnel to restore customer load safely, isolate equipment for maintenance, issue hot line holds and clearances, and direct and monitor switching procedures. The operator uses reliability tools to maintain situational awareness of normal and contingency conditions, identifies potential problems, and takes appropriate action to stabilize the interconnected system. The position coordinates and executes routine and emergency procedures and power restoration plans in accordance with EPE General Orders and NERC and WECC reliability standards. It also maintains distribution and substation one-lines, EMS, GIS, and Smart Grid displays, and performs a range of transmission and distribution system monitoring, control, outage coordination, and reporting duties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology or another analytical or technical field with basic knowledge of electric theory or power systems, or an equivalent combination of related training and experience.
One year of experience as a System Operator Trainee or an equivalent level of experience on an interconnected electrical system (two years).
NERC operator certification, or ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.
Basic knowledge of electrical principles, procedures, and components; power system operations, including power plant operations; fundamentals of alternating-current circuits; and electrical safety policies and procedures.
Working knowledge of personal computers and ability to learn specialized software applications.
Ability to project current system conditions into future conditions and take appropriate action.
Ability to monitor and apply control system principles to solve practical problems and handle varied situations with limited standardization.
Ability to communicate fluently in English with operating personnel responsible for real-time generation control and operation of the interconnected Bulk Electric System.
Ability to work rotating shifts.
Ability to build relationships and foster teamwork.
Ability to travel for training, seminars, and industry-related meetings representing EPE.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with officers, managers, fellow employees, and the general public.
Ability to maintain propriety concerning confidential matters.
Valid driver’s license and compliance with the Company’s Driving Program policy.

Nice To Haves

Three to five or more years of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate the transmission and distribution systems safely and reliably while adhering to current NERC and WECC policies and procedures.
Initiate appropriate emergency actions to return the system to safe and reliable operation, including shedding firm load when necessary.
Work with operating and field personnel to restore customer load, isolate equipment for maintenance, issue hot line holds and clearances, and direct and monitor switching procedures.
Enter requests and data into the Transmission Outage Application (TOA) and monitor job requests, switching orders, holds, clearances, studies, and work coordination with adjacent utilities.
Post outages on OASIS, ensure postings are accurate, and post scheduled transmission outages on WECC’s Coordinated Outage System (COS).
Maintain knowledge of EPE’s transmission system, capacity rights, and specialized relay protection schemes.
Ensure adherence to System Operating Limits, including PATH 47 limits, and ensure other Southern New Mexico entities curtail to apportioned import amounts during emergencies when acting as Operating Agent for SNM.
Coordinate and execute routine and emergency procedures and power restoration plans.
Use the State Estimator or Dispatcher Load Flow for contingency analysis and identification of potential system problems.
Maintain accurate records and logs of transmission outages associated with other utilities.
Monitor system conditions using voltage profiles, alarms, telemetry, equipment status, SOL limits, EMS applications, and other sources.
Assist in preparing reports for management, other utilities, and reserve sharing groups concerning disturbances, emergencies, and unusual operating conditions or actions.
Adhere to FERC rules and regulations regarding Standards of Conduct.
Provide appropriate recipients with updates about significant system events using EPE’s paging system.
Use PI Historian, the Monthly Load Report, Outage Disturbance Monitor (ODM), and EMS call-back options to determine feeder loading; use the Telemetric Remote Access system to control distribution devices such as reclosers and distribution capacitors.
Operate the phase shifter and coordinate adjustments with the System Operator - Generation to maintain adequate El Paso Import Capability (EPIC).
Operate the HVDC tie and its associated Static VAR Compensator to import or export power to the Southwest Power Pool region.
Maintain distribution and substation one-lines, EMS displays, GIS displays, and Smart Grid displays on a daily basis.
Communicate abnormal system conditions to the WECC Reliability Coordinator (RC).
Maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with the Company’s Driving Program policy.
Comply with applicable company policies, procedures, code of ethics, and governmental laws and regulations, including employment, safety, and environmental requirements.
Perform other related tasks within the context of the defined duties.