Master Coordinator

PJM Interconnection; Audubon (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PJM Interconnection, on-site at Audubon, PA, seeks a Master Coordinator to ensure PJM system scheduling aligns with Market Rules and to take timely real-time actions to prevent reliability violations.

Position includes training, attainment of NERC/PJM certifications, and advancement to a Generation Dispatcher within a set timeframe. Rotating shift, 7x24, with ongoing OJT and simulator exams.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• 0–5 years of related experience.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
• Experience in customer service/support.

Responsibilities

• Maintain power system reliability per NERC and PJM procedures.
• Operate PJM OASIS site and support energy scheduling.
• Process inquiries for energy transactions and scheduling.
• Direct scheduling of generating units to meet load and reserves.
• Forecast PJM system load for next seven days.
• Monitor and log scheduling and transaction data.
• Participate in training and mentor new staff.
• Approve maintenance outages based on PJM reserves.
• Handle rotating shift including weekends.

Skills

Power system ops

NERC standards

Real-time scheduling

Customer service

Forecasting

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor of Science, Engineering

AS, Computer Science

Job description

On-site Position - Audubon, PA

A Master Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the PJM system is properly scheduled in accordance with PJM Market Rules and ensure that transactions in the PJM energy market are administered consistent with current rules and procedures. Additionally, s/he has the responsibility and the authority to take direct and timely real-time actions (without obtaining higher level approval) including directing shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate System Operating Limit or Reliability Operating Limit Violations.

• The basic principles and theory of electricity and interconnected system operations, including all PJM operating and safety policies sufficient to maintain system reliability and robust markets.
• Forecasting techniques and analysis methodology.
• PJM Member Company operating policies, PJM markets, and unit scheduling procedures as well as an awareness of those of neighboring systems and their interactions with PJM.
• PJM computer systems, the real-time scheduling and transaction programs, the interrelationships of PJM Member Company and NERC tagging computer systems.
• Understanding of the regional transmission tariff by coordinating the scheduled use of transmission service and implementing curtailments as necessary.

This is a rotating shift position and requires staffing 7 x 24 including holidays. This position requires successful testing through the Profiles XT assessment and obtaining NERC/PJM Certification and other training requirements within the allotted timeframe. The Profiles XT assessment is a validated testing process that evaluates the success of system operators at PJM.

The Master Coordinator position is as an entry point for all new hires and requires advancement to the next level – Generation Dispatcher - within a specified time period. All Master Coordinators must receive training and pass tests (written and simulator) for the Generation Dispatcher position no later than whenever management determines an on-the-job trainer is available for him/her and s/he has completed the necessary 12 week training period.

Training includes online training, self-study, one-on-one training, simulations, and On the Job Training (OJT). Twelve weeks of the training program consists of OJT under the supervision of an OJT trainer who guides the trainee in acquiring the knowledge and skills required for the position. Prior to being qualified as a Master Coordinator the candidate is required to successfully complete the Master Coordinator computer based final exam with a minimum score of 80%. The candidate is also required to successfully complete a hands‑on examination on the Operator Training Simulator (OTS) with a minimum score of 80%.

This position requires successful testing through the Profiles XT assessment and obtaining NERC certification at the Reliability Coordinator or Balancing and Interchange level and PJM Generation certification and other training requirements within the allotted timeframe. The Profiles XT assessment is a validated testing process that evaluates the success of system operators at PJM.

Additionally, the Master Coordinator has the responsibility and the authority to take direct and timely real-time actions (without obtaining higher level approval) including directing shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate System Operating Limit or Reliability Operating Limit Violations.

Essential Functions

• Maintain power system reliability by ensuring operations are in compliance with applicable NERC standards and PJM operating and emergency procedures.
• Operates PJM OASIS site and provides customer support to the energy scheduling process.
• Process all customer inquiries and requests for energy transactions, scheduling, and generation outage information in a timely and effective manner.
• Represent PJM as contact personnel for the following systems: OASIS, TMS, EES, NERC IDC, OATI, eDart generator outages, Supplemental Status Report, Generation Checkout, and Second Pass Commitment questions.
• Directs the scheduling of generating units of the PJM participants to meet the PJM load and reserve requirements for future operating periods to gain maximum system economy within established PJM reliability criteria.
• Monitors generating unit (over 1000 generators) capability changes, return dates, operating constraints, start-up and minimum run times.
• Works in conjunction with PJM’s Market Operations and Reliability Engineers to determine the generator unit scheduling strategy and directs the implementation of that strategy through the PJM participants.
• Monitors and adjusts the strategy as changes on the actual system occur.
• Forecasts (and revises) the PJM system load forecast for the next seven days by monitoring weather forecasts throughout the PJM service territory.
• Monitors all input data to the scheduling and transaction database for accuracy and resolves discrepancies with the PJM participants.
• Maintains records and logs of all pertinent scheduling and transaction related information used in after-the-fact analysis and reviews.
• Participates in training programs. Serves as a trainer for new Master Coordinators and familiarizes other employees, both with dispatching and outside the department, with the scheduling functions.
• Approves unit maintenance outages of generating units based on the projected PJM reserve situations.
• Takes arrangements for unit outages (tickets) and approves all maintenance outage requests.
• Reviewing participant data for correctness.
• Maintaining customer confidence and protect operations by keeping information confidential.
• Manages an increasing customer contact commitment and therefore, a greater focus on customer service competencies
• Must be able to remain a certified NERC and PJM System Operator
• Assists in the development, evaluation and enhancements to new or existing tools, applications and systems
• Continually demonstrates flexibility in adapting to an environment of rapid change and growing complexity.
• Ability to independently handle multiple changing agendas in a quick-paced, stressful, and deadline-driven work environment.
• Assists in administration of PJM Transaction and Energy Markets.
• Requires rotating shift work (including scheduled weekends and evening periods).

Characteristics & Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma
• 0-5 years of experience
• Ability to visualize and solve complex problems
• Ability to apply analytical and mathematical solutions
• Experience in customer service/support

Preferred

• Bachelor of Science, Engineering
• AS, Computer Science
• NERC Certified System Operator Upon Hire
• PJM Operator Certifications Upon Hire