Associate System Operator

System Operator

Under limited direction, the System Operator controls and operates the Company's transmission, substation and mainline distribution resources and monitors generation resources from a reliability perspective.  Also achieves and maintains operating standards in compliance with all existing NERC, PJM and PUCO regulations, plus company safety and operating standards.  Operates the transmission system, which includes responsibility for VAR flow, maintaining acceptable voltage levels, and monitoring for first contingency loading and voltage violations.  Coordinates and directs all switching operations on the transmission, substation and mainline distribution system.  This is a rotating shift work position that requires around the clock coverage.  The current 12 hour schedule does will include some nights, weekends and holidays. 

Under direct supervision, the System Operator is responsible for the safe, stable, reliable, economical, and environmentally correct operation of the Bulk Electric System. This responsibility extends from the generating station substations through the distribution substations to the first interrupting device. The System Operator Trainee is responsible for successfully completing the System Operator Training Program and complying with FERC, NERC, PJM, and RF requirements.

This position is covered by NERC CIP cyber security standards. Prior to being hired, promoted, or transferred into the position, the candidate must successfully pass a Personnel Risk Assessment, which includes identity verification and a criminal background check. Before being granted unescorted access to cyber secure areas, the candidate must attend cyber security training. Annual cyber security training is also required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote a safe working environment both inside and outside the department.

• Complete the System Operator training requirements and pass the NERC and PJM certification tests.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement real-time actions, up to and including shedding firm load, to ensure stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System.

• Direct all actions for the safety and reliability of the electric grid, including field crews, electrical equipment, and customers in matters that affect electric grid reliability.

• Direct all switching and tagging activities to achieve LOTO isolation on transmission, substation, and mainline distribution equipment for both scheduled and outage situations.

• Serve as the first line of communication for real-time operations with PJM and interconnected utilities to assure the reliability of the transmission network.

• Ensure compliance with strict Standards of Conduct, as well as NERC and PJM protocols for transmission services.

• Operate the system on a minute-by-minute basis to ensure frequency is maintained by generation meeting load requirements.

• Respond to transmission and distribution disturbances within established regulatory, industry, and company standards to ensure a continuous supply of electricity to customers.

• Communicate the status of abnormal system conditions to co-workers and management.

• Monitor and utilize reactive reserves to ensure system reliability.

• Mentor System Operator Trainees through the Operator training game plan.

• Annually review and update department Standard Operating Procedures.

• Utilize the system model to simulate removing transmission elements from service and review resulting contingency analysis to prevent any real-time violations.

• Be knowledgeable of the procedures to transfer operations to the Back-up Control Center and implement them if necessary.

Competencies:

• Develop and maintain knowledge of the company’s substation, distribution, and transmission systems, relay protection schemes, safety requirements, electrical theory, field equipment capabilities, and associated operating procedures and guidelines.

• Ability to work in a stressful and fast-paced environment.

• Ability to make sound judgments and crucial decisions in short amounts of time.

• Ability to understand and assimilate complex technical information.

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with teammates and external utility contacts.

• Ability to work with little supervision and only general guidelines at times.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline is desired. An Associate's degree showing an aptitude for math and electrical theory, including previous work experience demonstrating basic electrical utility knowledge, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the discipline

• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must already have or obtain the appropriate North American Electric Reliability Corporation Certification within one year of employment and before independently performing the Reliability functions. This Certification must be maintained with continuing education hours. Must already have or obtain the appropriate PJM Certification within one year of employment and before independently performing the Reliability functions. This Certification must be maintained with continuing education hours.

• Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to apply concepts of algebra and geometry, and basic electrical theory.

• Working knowledge of various database, spreadsheet, and word processing software.

• Gather and analyze many complex variables to recommend decisions on complex issues under rapid and severe time constraints.

• Combine complex data sets including weather, grid conditions, electrical voltages, customer load, power plant capabilities, system disturbance data, interconnected utility conditions, etc., to determine actions required to ensure continuous operation and reliability on the electrical grid.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Has the authority to take or direct timely and appropriate real-time actions, without obtaining approval from higher-level personnel within their own operating authority vicinity. During emergency operating conditions, has additional independent authority to shed firm load to prevent or alleviate Operating Security Limit violations without higher-level approval.

• Ability to stand up to 2/3 of the time. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to accept the mental and physical rigors of rotating shift work, constantly changing system conditions, and varying operating guidelines.

• As the authority in charge of control room operations, any errors in switching procedures, miscommunication, or errors in analysis could result in serious injury or death to field employees and damage to valuable equipment.

• Work Environment:  Control room environment​