Electric System Operator

City of Lakeland, Civil Service; Florida; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lakeland, Florida seeks a qualified Electric System Operator to manage the electric power system on rotating shifts. The role involves transmission, distribution, and generation coordination, and adherence to reliability standards for safe, continuous operation.

The operator will analyze outage requests using the EMS, issue switching orders, and maintain detailed records of activity. Certification and licensure requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Five years of experience in electric utility transmission/distribution operations.
• Experience with normal and emergency restoration procedures, transmission and distribution switching and clearance procedures.
• Candidate must obtain NERC System Operator Transmission Operator (TO) Certification within one year.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Accepts responsibility for the operation of the electric system on the assigned shift.
• Monitors and evaluates the condition of energy delivery systems continuously, anticipating potential operating and loading problems and implementing approved strategies.
• Monitors and controls the electric system using the Energy Management System, ensuring that NERC and FRCC compliance standards are met.
• Evaluates and takes action necessary to operate the energy delivery system safely, reliably, stably, and efficiently following routine and emergency procedures.
• Expedites service restoration to all customers, minimizing the scope of any system upset or service interruption and limiting potential damage to utility infrastructure.
• Reviews requests for planned and emergency electric equipment outages, analyzes their effect on system reliability, writes the switching order, and executes the switching procedure.
• Maintains continuous circuit diagrams and records of the status of all switches and other electric equipment, work in progress, and other information crucial to the safe operation of the system.
• Coordinates with Power Pool operators on all generation scheduling and transmission outages that affect Pool operation.
• Maintains a clear and detailed record log of all activities on the electric system.
• Responds to customer outages, directs field crews to inspect and report on problems, maintains outage records, and analyzes the impact of outages on system reliability.

Skills

Reading diagrams

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Follow complex instructions

Customer-focused problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Energy Management System

Job description

This is a highly specialized position operating the City of Lakeland's electric power system on rotating shifts. The system includes transmission, distribution, generation, and interconnections with other utilities. Work involves responsibility for electric system security, analysis of transmission and distribution outage requests using the analysis tools in the Energy Management System, and review of generation scheduling concerning system reliability. This classification is responsible for operating the electric system, complying with North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (FRCC) reliability standards, issuing and executing switching orders, operating supervisory control equipment, and maintaining records of all related activities. Work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures; however, the incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing each task. The Electric System Operator will have the responsibility and authority to implement real-time actions to ensure the stable and reliable operations of the Bulk Power System.Emergency situations must be handled safely and expeditiously as they develop, without supervision. Work is reviewed for technical competence and compliance with established operating procedures.

• Accepts responsibility for the operation of the electric system on the assigned shift.
• Monitors and evaluates the condition of energy delivery systems continuously, anticipating potential operating and loading problems and implementing approved strategies to mitigate or respond to adverse system conditions.
• Monitors and controls the electric system using the Energy Management System, ensuring that NERC and FRCC compliance standards are met.
• Evaluates and takes action necessary to operate the energy delivery system safely, reliably, stably, and efficiently following routine and emergency procedures.
• Expedites service restoration to all customers, minimizing the scope of any system upset or service interruption and limiting potential damage to utility infrastructure.
• Reviews requests for planned and emergency electric equipment outages, analyzes their effect on system reliability, writes the switching order, and executes the switching procedure.
• Maintains continuous circuit diagrams and records of the status of all switches and other electric equipment, work in progress, and other information crucial to the safe operation of the system.
• Coordinates with Power Pool operators on all generation scheduling and transmission outages that affect Pool operation.
• Maintains a clear and detailed record log of all activities on the electric system.
• Responds to customer outages, directs field crews to inspect and report on problems, maintains outage records, and analyzes the impact of outages on system reliability.
• Participates in training at out-of-town locations, which may require overnight stays.
• Keeps work areas clean and organized.
• Works in a team to accomplish inter-divisional tasks.
• Deals courteously with the public, coworkers, and public safety agencies.
• Responds to emergency call-outs.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Five years of experience in electric utility transmission/distribution system operations, including extensive experience with normal and emergency restoration procedures, transmission and distribution switching and clearance procedures, or engineering work related to the design and/or analysis of electric transmission and distribution systems; or construction and maintenance of electric substations and/or associated electric system protective devices.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Must obtain North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) System Operator Transmission Operator (TO) Certification within one year of hiring date.
• Candidate must submit to a seven-year background check at the time of application.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Department switching and clearance procedures.
• System's standard operating procedures and contingency operating practices.
• Electrical theory, techniques, methods, materials, and tools used in the industry.
• Names and locations of the electric service territory's streets and principal buildings.

ABILITIES:

• Read electrical diagrams of substations, transmission lines, and distribution lines for switching and general operations.
• Speak clearly and concisely, and maintain composure under normal and stressful conditions, ensuring communication is short, professional, and to the point, and that you understand field personnel.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written instructions, reports, and materials.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees, customers, and the general public.
• Respond to customers with special needs and commercial customers' needs for quick answers and/or restoration.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work that involves some walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.
• Risks exposure to bright/dim lights with no significant environmental hazards.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE