Assistant System Operator

New York Power Authority; Town of Marcy (NY); On-site; USD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Power Authority seeks an experienced operator to manage daily power system operations, oversee GOP/TO/TOP tasks, and coordinate switching with NYISO. You will monitor EMS/MIS, support control room activities, and ensure reliability within NERC/NYISO guidelines.

Required Associate degree in Electrical Technology or related field, and NERC Transmission Operator Certification within one year. Travel is occasional; rotation shifts apply. NYPA offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electrical Technology or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year of electric grid/power system experience.
• Ability to obtain NERC Transmission Operator Certification within 1 year.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with EMS and NYISO tools are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control generation and transmission operations.
• Coordinate switching schedules with regional projects and NYISO.
• Direct generation and voltage support to maintain reliability.
• Utilize EMS/MIS to monitor real-time status and performance.
• Support control room tasks and follow directives from supervisors.
• Maintain awareness of NERC, NYISO, and NYPA requirements.

Skills

Power system basics

EMS training

Communication skills

Office software

Education

Electrical Technology degree

NERC Transmission Operator Certification

Tools

EMS Energy Management System

NYISO MIS

Office apps (Word/Excel)

Job description

Summary

Accountable for the daily management and coordination of NYPA's overall operations, including Overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the operational performance; directing the preparation of operating budgets and proposals for capital expenditure and investments in infrastructure, technology, equipment, systems, or other assets and resources; analyzing and approving operational investments that best meet the organization's business needs.

As a NERC Generation Operator (GOP), Transmission Owner (TO), and Transmission Operator (TOP), monitor and control NYPA generation and transmission facilities. Coordinate and direct switching schedules with regional projects, local TO/TOP's, and NYISO. Directs generation and voltage support as needed to maintain reliability of the Bulk Electric System in a manner that will not exceed thermal and voltage limits or cause System Operating Limits (SOL's). Continually monitor transmission network applications to ensure normal operations.

Responsibilities

• Control Center position with a focus on NERC Generator Operator (GOP) tasks and verbal coordination.


• Utilize the ECC Energy Management System (EMS) and NYISO Management Information System (MIS) to monitor real-time status such as NYPA's Generation and basic Water Management.


• Coordinate NYPA generation stop/starts.
  Assess the amount of generation reserves bid by NYPA Generator Resource Management (GRM).
  Check NYPA Generator Day Ahead Market (DAM)schedules.


• Monitor NYPA generation (every 15 min) and ensure the units are on schedule.


• Coordinate and document derates and NYISO out of merits.


• Assess metering and after-the-fact readings to validate accuracy.


• Demonstrate basic understanding and navigation of the EMS one-line diagrams.


• Calculate water in BG reservoir for reserves and to meet NYISO schedules.


• Adhere to NERC, NPCC, NYISO, and NYPA requirements. Fulfill and demonstrate competencies in all formally identified tasks.


• Learn and maintain a basic understanding of NYPA Operating Policies and Control Room Guides, Instructions, Bulletins, and NYISO memos.


• Must work rotating shifts, including nights, midnights, weekends, and holidays.


• Overtime may be required on occasion based on business needs.


• Support the System Operators (SO) and Senior System Operator (SSO) in control room tasks and follow directives from the SSO.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of power system generation and transmission concepts


• Ability to successfully complete NYISO System Operator Training


• Good written & verbal communication skills.


• Ability to learn 3-Part communication.


• Working knowledge of Office programs for PC (Word/Excel etc.)


• Ability to learn/use Energy Management System


• Ability to verbally communicate effectively with the


• NYPA Regional Projects and outside entities such as NYISO and GRM.


• Ability to review NYPA outage coordination summary sheets to identify generation that is planned out of service.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Required

• Associate degree required: Electrical Technology or equivalent Science/Technology field, preferred.


• Min 1-year equivalent direct electric grid/power system related work experience will be considered with non-technical degree.


• All candidates are required to possess or be able to obtain a NERC Transmission Operator Certification within one year of hire.

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor's (BAS) degree in Electrical Engineering, other Engineering disciplines, or related technical fields


• Control Center Experience working as an Operator.
  Utility/Power plant experience working in operation/maintenance, high voltage electrician, instrument controls technician, etc.


• Military technical or nuclear training.


• Experience with rotating Shift work.


• All candidates are required to obtain NYPA System Operator qualification within 3 (three) years of hire

Physical Requirements

• Approximately 10% travel primarily within NY State.


• Ability to sit for long periods of time (up to 12 hours) in front of computer monitors while maintaining situational awareness; communicating effectively while speaking English (per NERC requirement); see, hear, and react to alarms.

Hiring Manager: Daniel Walters

Department: Transmission

Grade Level: OM09P1

The New York Power Authority is committed to providing fair, competitive, and market-informed compensation. The estimated salary range for this position is: $73,000 - $91,000. The salary offered will be determined based on the successful candidates' relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents and veterans to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, NYPA/Canals is committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect communities across New York and enthusiastically serve them. We proudly celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race/color, creed/religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, military status, gender/sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy and related conditions, familial/marital status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest/criminal conviction record or any other category protected by law.

NYPA/Canals will also provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process related to candidates' disabilities, pregnancy-related conditions, religious observances/practices and/or domestic violence concerns. To request an accommodation, please email [e-mail].