System Operator

Northwest Territories Power Corporation; Yellowknife; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Long-term disability

Life insurance

Pension plan

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northwest Territories Power Corporation in Yellowknife, NT, seeks an experienced System Operator for the Energy South Division. You will monitor/adjust hydro and diesel units via SCADA, manage switching, and ensure safe system restoration with detailed reporting.

The role involves rotation shifts, on-call hours, and travel to remote plants. A Class 5 license, strong communication, and safety focus are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 5+ years in electrical or mechanical trade, technologist/technician role or hydro/diesel utility operation.
• Equivalencies may be considered.
• Power Engineering certificates may be considered an asset.
• Good colour vision; no hearing or colour vision deficiency.
• Strong planning and organization; good written and verbal communication.
• Must read/interprete single line diagrams, meters, gauges and telemetry data.
• Proficient with spreadsheets, word processing software and email.
• Team player with ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Travel to hydro facilities and remote locations by small aircraft/boat/vehicle may be required.
• Rotation shift schedule including weekends and on-call periods.
• Valid class 5 driver's license is required.
• Satisfactory criminal records check required.

Responsibilities

• Always work safely and comply with NTPC health, safety and environmental programs.
• Monitor generation/distribution systems and adjust hydro/diesel units as needed via SCADA and direct communication.
• Prepare hourly, daily, and monthly reports.
• Use SCADA to start/stop engines, synchronize generators, and close feeder breakers.
• Review switching procedures and issue Work Protection Permits.
• Restore systems after disturbances and complete outage/switching reports.
• Maintain load/voltage/frequency/VARs; inspect relays and target reports.
• Report system abnormalities and assist callers to locate faults.
• Describe plant operations to visitors.

Skills

SCADA operation

Hydro/diesel operation

Report preparation

Customer communication

Electrical/mechanical troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Single-line diagrams interpretation

Education

High School Diploma

Power Engineering certificates (asset)

Equivalencies may be considered

Tools

Excel

Word

Email

Job description

Overview

This position is located in Yellowknife, NT.

Under the general supervision and direction of the Manager, System Control for the Energy South Division (ESO), the incumbent is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the North Slave and South Slave electrical networks through SCADA intervention, including NAKA’s distribution feeder breakers in Yellowknife, Kátł’odeeche, and Enterprise. Monitoring and alarm response is also provided for NTPC’s satellite plants in both the Energy South and Energy North Operational Divisions. This role is expected to cycle through the NTPC Work Protection Permit desk for all transmission and generation related work ensuring the assessment and development of switching plans for all equipment is to be taken out of service meeting NTPC’s work protection guideline and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Always works safely, adheres to all aspects of the NTPC Health, Safety and Environmental programs, comply with all rules and regulations, and continually practice health and safety while performing any duties.
• Monitors and reports on the generation and distribution systems, and as required adjusts the operation of both hydro and diesel generation units accordingly. This function is performed both via the use of a SCADA system and by communicating verbally to appropriate personnel. Duties also include monitoring and responding to plant alarms for all facilities in both the ESO And ENO divisions.
• Interprets and responds to incoming SCADA or system data. Prepares hourly, daily, and monthly reports by hand and through the use of a complex excel spreadsheet.
• Uses the SCADA system to start and stop diesel engines, hydro turbines, synchronize generators and close feeder breakers on both NTPC and NAKA networks.
• Reviews and executes switching procedures, system security releases and issues Work Protection Permits for work being performed on equipment connected to the ESO's network with detailed analysis of Safety Single Line diagrams.
• Restores systems for both ESO and ENO networks following a system disturbance or interruption and completes outage and switching reports.
• Operates both hydro and diesel generators to maintain proper load, voltage, frequency and VARs. Inspects relays and resets target reports and annunciation.
• Reports system abnormalities to the Manager, System Control and questions callers to determine the nature and location of system and satellite plant faults.
• Maintains a good relationship with the public and responds to inquiries in a professional and courteous manner. It is a requirement to work with customers during power outages with effective communication that must be handled in a calm, clear, and deeply empathetic manner to effectively de-escalate anxiety and frustration. Must actively listen to customer concerns while delivering transparent, consistent updates and realistic timelines without using confusing technical terms.
• Describes plant and system operations to visitors.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent, WITH a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in an electrical or mechanical trade, technologist/technician role or as a hydro/diesel utility power plant operator.Equivalencies may be considered.
• Certificates or training in Power Engineering or an electrical/mechanical discipline may be considered an asset.
• Good colour vision is required. Must not have any hearing or colour vision deficiency.
• Good planning and organization with strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Must have the ability to read and interpret single line diagrams, meters, gauges and both electrical and mechanical telemetry data.
• Proficient in computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing software and email.
• Team player with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Most work is performed on the Jackfish site in Yellowknife but travel to hydro facilities and other remote locations by small aircraft, vehicles, boats, and helicopters may be required.
• This position involves a rotation shift schedule that requires working at any hour including weekends and statutory holidays, which may include periods of immediate on-call situations.
• Full and valid class 5 driver's license is required.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory criminal records check.

Salary for this position ranges from $50.05/hour to $60.81/hour, in addition there is a location allowance of $4,642 per annum. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes health and dental benefits, long‑term disability, life insurance, paid sick days and a defined benefits pension plan. This position is located in Yellowknife, NT and does require a successful candidate to reside/relocate here. Relocation assistance may be provided.

Indigenous Employment Policy - candidates must clearly identify eligibility status through our online portal to receive priority consideration.

We thank all those who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

PC4330