Electric System Operator
City of Lakeland
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Job summary
The City of Lakeland is seeking an Electric System Operator to operate its electric power system on rotating shifts, ensuring reliable delivery and adherence to NERC/FRCC standards. You will monitor the EMS, issue switching orders, coordinate outages, and maintain detailed logs.
This role requires independent judgment, teamwork, and readiness for training and possible overtime. Responsibilities include restoration work, field coordination, and contributing to system reliability across
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Five years of electric utility operations experience, incl. restoration or switching.
- Valid driver's license.
- Valid telephone number.
- NERC TO Certification within one year of hire.
- Background check required.
Responsibilities
- Operate the electric system on the assigned shift.
- Monitor energy delivery systems and anticipate issues.
- Operate EMS and ensure NERC/FRCC compliance.
- Execute switching orders and maintain records.
- Expedite service restoration and coordinate outages.
- Coordinate generation scheduling and transmission outages with Power Pool.
- Respond to outages and direct field crews.
Skills
Education
Tools
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.
- 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, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2026 Summary Sheet
Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows: Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*
Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
- NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.
Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary. For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768.
Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working. For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.
Plan C Employee 4.52%
Employer 15.54%
OR
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits
Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire
Employer 15.54%
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time. Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.
Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.
Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.
Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.
Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).
Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.
Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.
Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses. For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.
A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000. For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.
(refer to handout in new employee folder) An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.
Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.
Free while at work.
Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.
For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.
For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.
For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.
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