Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Complete training to become fully qualified as a system operator within 6 months of starting the training program. Under direction, operate the transmission system according to department policies and procedures and standards set by North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Regional Reliability Organization.
  
• (30%) Under direct supervision, will ensure safe, reliable and economic operation of the Company's facilities, balancing authorities and generation projects in compliance with applicable NERC and WECC BA, GO, and GOP reliability standards, and adhering to Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) security measures. Respond to system disturbances involving generation, substation, and transmission equipment, taking appropriate steps in conjunction with the Transmission Operator and Reliability Coordinator. Provide oversight for daily balancing authority reliability and comprehensive knowledge for the responsible operation of generation assets according to (Good Utility Practice) criteria and guidelines set by NERC, FERC, and the Regional Reliability Council. During both normal and emergency operating conditions, has the authority to take or direct timely and appropriate real-time actions. Has authority to curtail firm schedules to prevent potential NERC compliance violations due to unplanned outages. All of these actions are performed without need to obtain approval from the company’s senior management.
  
• (25%) Under direct supervision, will support the operations and maintenance activities by actively managing plant availability and reliability in conjunction with the Site Operations Managers and the Environmental team. Accommodate the Company's environmental protection activities in conjunction with managing Control Performance Standards. Takes appropriate actions as needed during routine and emergency operations to ensure the reliability of the BA areas including those actions necessary to address operating emergencies, to alleviate capacity and energy emergencies, and to support the reliability of the Bulk Electric System maintain proper voltage ampere reactive loading and voltage levels on the transmission system. Under direct supervision, will take actions to achieve optimum voltage levels by switching capacitors, reactors, and lightly loaded transmission lines by adjusting tap positions on power transformers and by requesting voltage changes at power plants and adjoining power systems.
  
• (20%) Under direct supervision, coordinates requests for equipment outages to ensure reliability of the inter-connected system. Supports the operations and maintenance activities by actively monitors plant availability and reliability in conjunction with the Site Operations Managers and the Environmental team. Takes appropriate actions as needed during routine and emergency operations to ensure the reliability of the BA areas including those actions necessary to address operating emergencies, to alleviate capacity and energy emergencies, and to support the reliability of the Bulk Electric System.
  
• (20%) Under direct supervision, will be responsible for third-party generation dispatch and scheduling services for other generation projects. Support reporting/settlement duties for the Company's generation projects and third-party generation operations projects, as requested.
  
• (5%) Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.
  

Compliance and other functions

• Ensure compliance with NERC and WECC reliability standards for BA & GOP as it relates to procedures, policies and guidelines, and real-time logging and other record-keeping procedures for NOC Operators/Operations, Work with the Compliance Team to implement new/updated reliability standards.
  
• Support the implementation and utilize as required, Generation Management and Energy Management systems
  
• Monitor, and assist with BHE Montana switching operations and procedures.
  
• Review company logging and work safety procedures and report any issues to management.
  
• Provide feedback and revise procedures for NOC operations.
  
• Support the operations and maintenance activities by actively monitoring plant availability and reliability in conjunction with the Site Operations Managers and the Environmental team and communicating change in status as appropriate.
  
• Support Asset Management and Environmental goals and activities through cooperation with the VP, Asset Management
  
• May serve as liaison between reliability entities and commercial partners to ensure proper balance and optimization of assets given reliability constraints and forecast outages.
  
• Support reporting/settlement duties for the Company’s generation projects and third-party generation operations projects, as requested.
  

Performance Expectations

• Under the direct of the System Operator, the associate System Operator operates the company inter-connected generation assets in a highly reliable, safe manner in accordance with NERC and WECC reliability standards for BA & GOP as it relates to procedures, policies and guidelines, and real-time logging and other record-keeping procedures for NOC Operators/Operations.
  
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of NERC Operating Standards by successfully passing the NERC Reliability or Balancing Interchange Certification exam. This certification has been established by NERC to provide standards for those who operate bulk electric power systems in North America. In addition, certification must be maintained by obtaining the required minimum hours of NERC approved continuing education over a three-year period. 30 hours must include simulated operations and 30 hours of training on NERC standards.
  
• Demonstrate high level of customer focus, with emphasis on ensuring that system event and outage information is accurate and available in a timely manner for communication to System Operators, NOC Manager, senior management, and third-party asset owner/operators.
  
• Follow department procedures and utilize available human performance tools to ensure that instructions and communications with field personnel are clear and understood.
  
• May serve as liaison between reliability entities and commercial partners to ensure proper balance and optimization of assets given reliability constraints and forecast outages.
  
• Support reporting/settlement duties for the Company’s generation projects and third-party generation operations projects.
  
• Revise, provide feedback on procedures, policies, and guidelines for NOC operations.
  
• Maintain effective work relationships within the department and the company; and maintain the professional competence, knowledge, and skills necessary for the satisfactory completion of responsibilities during normal and sometimes high stress conditions.
  
• Participate on teams that result in contribution to achievement of team goals and objectives. Take or direct timely and appropriate real-time actions during emergency and restoration conditions.
  
• Abide by Federal law and company policy, which require strict adherence to the Standards of Conduct under FERC Order 889 in the discharge of all duties.
  
• Support team efforts; support a spirit of participation and belonging; support group cohesiveness by working to support team objectives and reinforcing cooperation.
  
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information regarding company information. Support the company's employee policies and procedures, including workplace safety rules.
  
• Monitors and enforces all NERC compliance requirements for area of responsibility.
  

Requirements

Qualifications/Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent combination of education and experience. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.)
  
• 0 to 1 year of experience in electric operations.
  
• Must obtain and maintain NERC certification status at the reliability coordinator or Balancing Interchange level. NERC requires this examination be successfully passed prior to allowing the individual to assume the responsibility of operating the bulk electric system within North America.
  
• Technical knowledge related to the operation of the interconnected bulk electric system under normal, emergency and restoration conditions.
  
• Demonstrate understanding of balancing authority principles and practices, complex generation dispatch and NERC Compliance topics.
  
• Knowledge of power system economics, especially economic dispatch and generator efficiency characteristics and real-time energy trading. Technical skills and knowledge related to understanding electric generation and power system operations.
  
• Demonstrate problem-solving, resourcefulness and analytical skills.
  
• This position is expected to be trained and operate any of the NOC Desk (Balance & Interchange Operator, Scheduling and AESO Dispatch) as assigned.
  

Skills/Abilities

• Strong communication skills; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
  
• Strong business acumen and ability to optimize variables.
  
• Solid analytical skills
  
• Ability to effectively manage and direct emergency operations.
  
• Ability to perform well under tight deadlines and emergency conditions, and to make prudent decisions in a time-compressed environment.
  
• Ability to effectively coordinate/manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  
• Excellent computer capabilities
  
• Performs well under tight deadlines and emergency conditions, is capable of making decisions in a time compressed environment.
  
• Must be adaptable to change and have the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
  

Working conditions (Location /Conditions)

• Company BA and GOP OC in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
  
• CIP-compliant environment requiring implementation of limited access protocols and other security measures.
  
• Must be on-call and available to support 24-hour operations.
  
• Must be available to work 12.5-hour shifts, with additional flex time work scheduling as needed.
  
• Must be available to work a shift schedule that includes nights, weekends, and holidays.