ECC BA Operator Trainee

Arizona Public Service Company; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service Company is seeking a BA Operator Trainee for their ECC team. This role is vital for maintaining generation-load-frequency control and ensuring accurate energy transmission scheduling.

The ideal candidate will have experience in Balancing Authority operations, strong communication skills, and the ability to make critical real-time decisions. The position requires working on rotating 12-hour shifts with regulatory compliance responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Experience operating a Balancing Authority and maintaining system reliability.
• Authority to initiate emergency load reductions.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze conditions and take control actions.
• Follow all regulatory operating policies.
• Monitor generation to ensure system operating reserves.

Skills

Real-time control decisions

Knowledge of FERC, NERC, WECC policies

Emergency load reduction authority

Monitoring generation and reserves

Strong communication skills

Education

NERC certification

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Summary

APS is looking for a BA Operator Trainee to join their ECC team! The Balancing Authority is responsible for maintaining generation-load-frequency control, ensuring accurate transmission scheduling and participating in the Energy Imbalance Market.

Requirements

• Experience operating a Balancing Authority and making real-time control decisions to maintain system reliability within design limits.
• Knowledge of FERC, NERC, and WECC policies, and a proven track record of adhering to regulatory procedures in power system operations.
• Authority and confidence to initiate emergency load reduction when energy resources fall short of demand, ensuring grid stability under pressure.
• Expertise in monitoring generation and reserves, ensuring compliance with interconnected system agreements and power pool criteria.
• Strong communication and coordination skills with system marketers, especially around unit commitment, plant status, and Energy Imbalance Market operations.
• The ECC BA Operator Trainee is expected to complete qualifications within assigned time frames.
• This position works on rotating 12-hour shifts.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications

• Two years experience as a NERC certified operator within the WECC.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry; effective verbal and written communication skills; PC literate.

Major Accountabilities

1. Analyze conditions; take control action to operate the APS Balancing Authority within design limits.
2. Follow all FERC, NERC, and WECC operating policies and procedures.
3. Exercise full authority to implement emergency load reduction when energy resources cannot meet load requirements.
4. Continuously monitor online generation to ensure required system operating reserves and meet interconnected system and power pool operating agreements, criteria and guidelines.
5. Interface with system marketers to ensure proper communications regarding power plant status, generating unit commitment, and Energy Imbalance Market activities.
6. Provide complete and accurate documentation of all system events, problems, transactions, commitments, and communications related to real-time system operations, generation and scheduling of APS and interconnected system energy resources.
7. Update available transmission postings, process requests for transmission service, and implement transmission and energy interchange schedules in computer.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120). Certain positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, political asylee, or refugee). All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected will be used only to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws and in full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment and provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

All applicants are required to verify identity and employment eligibility under federal law, and to comply with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. The Company requires job-related drug and alcohol testing consistent with business necessity and regulatory requirements.

This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with NERC standards. Applicants will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment and to undergo a criminal history check and annual reconfirmation as required.

Location-Base Role

This position requires employees to work at the (Location), with some flexibility that will be determined in consultation with the employee and leadership.

Testing Information

Tests are only administered to referred candidates. More information about our tests and the testing process is available yet. A written (paper and pencil) test will be administered, and a computer-based test will also be administered. E-mail will be the method of contact for test scheduling.

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