SYSTEM OPERATOR EIM-ASSOC - SR

About the role

The position is under the general supervision of the Supervisor Energy Imbalance Market and is responsible for the economic dispatch and reliable operation of EPE’s EIM Entity, generation, and balancing facilities during normal and emergency system conditions. Also, is responsible for implementing energy schedules for generators, renewables, and VERs operating within EPE’s Balancing Area.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) as it relates to El Paso Electric Balancing Authority and maintain reliable operation of EPE’s generation facilities during normal and emergency system conditions.
• Initiate appropriate action in the event of an emergency to return the system to safe and reliable operation.
• Work with the Power Marketing Department, EIM Merchant, and Real-time schedulers to coordinate and schedule energy resources to meet system load requirements and EIM dispatches.
• Operate the system on a minute-by-minute basis to match firm and interruptible resources to obligations, balance generation and transmission shares between utility companies/market entities, and verify metered flow quantities from EPE to other utilities.
• Enter energy schedules into EMS for committed sales and purchases.
• Track unit commitment, Manual dispatch, load bias, ETSR’s, EIM, and economic dispatch, as well as ensure generators operate under Automatic Generation Control (AGC).
• Monitor system conditions such as inadvertent alarms, telemetry, and equipment status.
• Monitor generation conditions through alarms, telemetry, status, modes of operation, ACE, Frequency, Balancing Authority ACE Limit (BAAL) events, etc.
• Assist in preparing reports for management, other utilities, and reserve sharing groups on system disturbances, emergencies, or any unusual operating condition or action.
• Comply with all FERC rules and regulations regarding Standards of Conduct.
• Provide updated information of any significant system events to appropriate recipients using EPE’s paging system.
• Communicate abnormal system conditions to the CAISO Real Time Market Operator (RTMO).
• Review and approve Power Marketing’s daily Resource Plan (unit commitment).
• Track and make daily adjustments to primary inadvertent and perform time-error corrections as requested by the interchange authority.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or other analytical/technical field with basic knowledge of electric theory or power systems.
• NERC operator certification or ability to obtain certification within 6 months of hire date.
• 0-5 years or more experience required.

Skills

• Knowledge of electrical principles, procedures, and components.
• Power system operations, including power plant operations and power generation.
• Fundamentals of alternating current circuits.
• Electrical safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain constant awareness of system conditions, Local Marginal Price (LMPs), congestion, anticipate contingencies, and take proactive steps to ensure system reliability and stability.
• Knowledgeable in the use of personal computers and applications such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and TEAMS.
• Ability to learn specialized software applications such as Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) applications, outage management software (OMS), Open Access Technology International (OATI), and Energy Management System (EMS).
• Ability to project current system conditions to future projections and take appropriate action.
• Ability to monitor and apply control system principles rationally to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to communicate in English fluently with all operating personnel responsible for real-time balancing, generation control, and operation of the Energy Imbalance Market and interconnected Bulk Electric System.
• Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts including weekends, evenings, holidays, and provide additional coverage when needed.
• Ability to build relationships and foster teamwork.
• Ability to travel for training, seminars, and to represent EPE at industry-related meetings.
• Effective verbal and written communication and three-part communication skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with officers, managers, fellow employees, and the general public.
• Ability to maintain a strong sense of propriety concerning confidential matters.

Qualifications

A valid driver’s license and compliance with the Company’s Driving Program policy are required.

Pay

The starting salary for this position is $70,100 - $107,221.

Schedule

This position requires working 12-hour rotating shifts, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and providing additional coverage when needed.