ECC BA Operator Trainee

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service (APS) is seeking a BA Operator Trainee for the ECC team to help ensure reliable electricity delivery across the APS service territory. You will monitor grid conditions, support real-time decisions, and assist with coordinating power schedules and energy transactions across interconnected systems.

The role emphasizes learning operations procedures, collaborating with generation and marketing teams, and maintaining accurate records to meet regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or technical degree with related field experience.
• Understanding of or willingness to learn NERC/WECC standards.
• Ability to work rotating 12‑hour shifts and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Monitor power system conditions and support real-time operational decisions.
• Track generation resources and system reserves to meet demand safely.
• Collaborate with energy marketers, generation teams, and regional partners.
• Document events and communications for compliance and regulatory purposes.

Skills

Power systems knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Willingness to learn procedures

Education

High school diploma + 4 years related field experience

BS/BA/AA in related field or operations/business management +2 years experience

NERC RC Active Certification

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! As an ECC BA Operator Trainee, you'll help support the reliable delivery of electricity across the APS service territory by monitoring power system conditions and assisting with real-time grid operations. This role is critical to maintaining system reliability, balancing energy supply and demand, and supporting the safe operation of the regional power grid. Your work helps ensure homes, businesses, hospitals, and communities have the electricity they depend on every day.

What Your Day Would Be Like

• Monitor power system conditions and support real-time operational decision-making to help maintain grid reliability.


• Track generation resources and system reserves to help ensure customer demand can be met safely and efficiently.


• Collaborate with energy marketers, generation teams, and regional reliability partners to maintain awareness of changing system conditions.


• Support the coordination of power schedules, transmission activity, and energy transactions across interconnected systems.


• Document operational events, communications, and system activities with accuracy to support compliance and regulatory requirements.


• Assist with responding to changing grid conditions and contribute to maintaining the safe, reliable delivery of electricity.

We Would Like To Speak To You If You Have

• Interest in power system operations and a desire to learn how real-time decisions support the safe and reliable operation of the electric grid.


• Foundational knowledge of power system operations, energy markets, or utility operations, with the ability to learn and apply complex operating procedures.


• Understanding of or willingness to learn FERC, NERC, and WECC reliability standards and the critical role they play in maintaining system reliability.


• Ability to analyze information quickly, remain calm under pressure, and make sound decisions in dynamic operating environments.


• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively across operations, generation, transmission, and energy marketing teams.


• Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate records, documenting operating activities, and following established procedures.


• Motivation to develop expertise in monitoring generation resources, system reserves, and transmission schedules while supporting reliable grid operations.


• This position works on rotating 12 hours shifts and requires overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• High school/GED and four (4) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work


• OR BS/BA/AA in related technical field or operations/business management and two (2) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work management


• OR NERC ( North American Electric Reliability)- Reliability Coordinator (RC) Active Certification and two (2) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system-electric field work or other electric operations work


• Ability to obtain the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification within six (6) months of hire and to complete all continuing education as required by NERC and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).


• Continue educational and professional development beyond the level of basis (entry level) training.


• Ability to work rotating shifts.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge Or Qualifications

• Two years' experience as a NERC certified operator within the WECC.


• Experience operating a Balancing Authority and making real-time control decisions to maintain system reliability within design limits.


• Demonstrated knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry; demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills; PC literate.


• NERC RC Certiication

Major Accountabilities

• Analyze conditions; take control action to operate the APS Balancing Authority within design limits.


• To follow all FERC, NERC and WECC operating policies and procedures.


• Exercise full authority to implement emergency load reduction when energy resources cannot meet load requirements.


• Continually monitor on-line generation to ensure required system operating reserves; and ensure the interconnected system and associated power pool operating agreements, criteria and guidelines are met.


• Interface with system marketers to ensure proper communications with regard to power plant status and generating unit commitment, and Energy Imbalance Market activities.


• Provide complete and accurate documentation of all system events, problems, transactions, commitments, and communications relating to real time system operations, generation and scheduling of APS and interconnected system energy resources. Documentation is for management, state and federal regulatory review.


• 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) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

CIP Requirement

This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.

Location-Based Role

This position requires employees to work at the (Location), with some flexibility. Flexibility will be determined with the hires employee and leadership, but the ultimate decision is the company's.

Testing Information

Tests are only administered to referred candidates. More information about our tests and the testing process can be found HERE.

A written [paper and pencil] test will be administered.

A test using a computer with keyboard will be administered.

E-mail will be the method of contact with job applicants for test scheduling. Please be sure to check your e-mail regularly so that you receive scheduling notifications for testing and updated job information.