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

About the role

The City of Farmington Electric Utility is seeking candidates for System Operator, Senior System Operator, and System Operator Trainee I/II positions. The hiring level will be determined based on experience and qualifications. Positions may be salaried or hourly depending on classification.

Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to NERC and WECC reliability standards pertinent to system operations
• Purchase and sell electrical power in real time to meet customer demand
• Monitor the grid in real time for system ties to maintain reliability to FEUS and the bulk electric system
• Monitor and maintain transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution voltage within acceptable limits
• Use independent judgment to curtail and restore load; have full authority to take corrective actions to protect and restore the electric system without prior supervisor approval
• Dispatch energy over the electric utility system considering load requirements, reliability of service, and economical utilization of power resources
• Update hourly loads, power resource schedules, and ensure hourly resource adequacy to meet customer demand
• Ensure reserves are maintained as required by the Southwest Reserve Sharing Group
• Monitor, enter, and verify hourly loads and resources for reporting to reserve sharing group
• Develop and execute arrangements within the WSPP agreement for power sales and purchases and any requisite wheeling and energy accounting requirements
• Use NERC tagging guidelines to develop, implement, and verify power schedules and transactions via the Western Interchange Tool
• Prepare, process, and coordinate switching procedures for transmission and distribution for routine construction, maintenance, and emergency work
• Issue and record transmission and distribution hold tags and switching clearances
• Restore electric service or reconfigure the system in the event of a disturbance or failure safely and promptly via SCADA and field switching
• Record electrical load, disturbances, failures, and relay breaker operations
• Monitor voltage, frequency, loads, and Area Control Error (ACE) and perform minor adjustments using SCADA
• Manage FEUS reserves including requesting and activating reserves response for capacity emergencies within the Southwest Reserve Sharing Group
• Ensure FEUS Real-Time Analysis is conducted at least every 30 minutes
• Provide on-the-job training to newly hired operators to ensure competencies are verified prior to independent work
• Answer trouble calls by recording information and arranging repair crews as needed
• Perform rotation shift work including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Travel as required for training for up to one week
• Operate a motor vehicle as directed to assist in carrying out division business

Requirements

• System Operator: Successfully completed the FEUS System Operator Trainee program or an approved program at another utility; current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions
• Senior System Operator: Current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions; minimum three years as a system operator or equivalent experience in another utility
• Day Shift System Operator: Current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions; assists with daily system operations duties and projects
• System Operator Trainee I: Electric utility background preferred; experience in high stress environments; training or coursework in electric theory preferred
• System Operator Trainee II: Minimum two years’ experience in electric dispatch or two years electric utility experience directly related to operation of distribution and transmission systems; training or coursework in electric theory desirable

Qualifications

• Subject to City of Farmington’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy including pre-employment, post-accident, random, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up testing
• Covered by NERC CIP cyber security standards
• Must successfully pass a Personnel Risk Assessment including identity verification and criminal background check
• Must attend cyber security training prior to unescorted access to cyber secure areas
• System Operator Trainee I/II must pass the NERC System Operator Certification Examination in Reliability (RC) or Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission (BIT) within the training period; failing to pass on the second attempt will terminate employment

Pay

• Senior System Operator: $60.73/hour
• System Operator: $53.57/hour
• System Operator Trainee I: $36.22/hour
• System Operator Trainee II: $44.42/hour

Schedule

• Salaried positions (Senior System Operator, System Operator) work mutually agreed upon shift schedules; hours beyond scheduled hours paid at time and a half
• Hourly trainee positions work a mutually agreed schedule including day and night shifts during training; full rotating shift coverage expected after passing NERC exam
• Regular attendance is an essential requirement