NERC Certified System Operator

NPAworldwide; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 111,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

NPAworldwide is looking for a System Operator in Great Falls, Montana, responsible for the safe and reliable real-time operation of balancing authority and generation assets. This role involves monitoring system conditions, coordinating generation schedules, and ensuring compliance with safety standards while optimizing performance.

Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a technical field and significant experience in electric operations. An annual salary between $111,000 and $168,000 USD is offered.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of related electric operations experience or equivalent education.
• 15 years of experience in electric operations or a related function.
• NERC Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Operate balancing authority and generation assets in real time.
• Manage resource optimization and generation dispatch.
• Respond to system disturbances and outages.
• Ensure compliance with NERC and other reliability standards.

Skills

Real-time operations

System monitoring

Safety compliance

Operations management

Emergency response

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Job description

Position Summary

The System Operator reports to the System Operations Manager and is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient real‑time operation of balancing authority and generation assets from a Network Operations Center (NOC). This role monitors system conditions, coordinates generation and interchange schedules, responds to system events, and ensures continuous compliance with applicable reliability standards while optimizing operational performance and supporting grid reliability. The System Operator plays a critical role during normal and emergency operating conditions, is empowered to take timely real‑time operational actions to protect the bulk electric system, support system restoration, and prevent potential reliability violations, and works closely with internal teams and external partners to maintain system integrity and operational excellence.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor balancing authority and generation assets in real time to ensure safe, reliable, and economic performance.
• Manage hourly resource optimization, generation dispatch, and interchange scheduling.
• Respond to system disturbances, outages, and emergency conditions in coordination with transmission operators, reliability coordinators, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure continuous compliance with NERC, WECC, FERC, and applicable regional reliability standards (including AESO/Alberta requirements, as applicable).
• Coordinate with internal operations, environmental, and asset management teams, as well as external trading and reliability partners.
• Review and approve switching activities and coordinate planned and unplanned outages to support system reliability.
• Prepare and provide operational reports, system updates, and event communications to leadership.
• Support the training, development, and mentoring of Associate System Operators.

Performance Expectations

• Provide training to Associate System Operators in real‑time direction of interconnected generation asset operations.
• Perform direct asset operations in a highly reliable, safe manner in accordance with NERC and WECC reliability standards for BA & GOP, including adherence to procedures, policies, guidelines, and real‑time logging requirements.
• Work with the Compliance Team to implement new or updated reliability standards.
• Maintain NERC Reliability or Balancing Interchange Certification, including a minimum of 60 continuing education hours over each 3‑year period (30 hours simulated operations, 30 hours NERC standards training).
• Demonstrate high customer focus, ensuring system event and outage information is accurate and communicated in a timely manner to the Lead System Operator, NOC Manager, senior management, and third‑party asset owner/operators.
• Follow department procedures and utilize human performance tools to ensure clarity in instructions and communications with field personnel.
• Support reporting and settlement duties for generation projects and third‑party generation operations.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of NOC procedures, policies, and operational guidelines.
• Maintain effective working relationships within the department and across the organization; sustain professional competence and composure under normal and high‑stress operating conditions.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience (typically 6 years of related, progressive experience in lieu of a degree).
• 15 years of experience in electric operations or a related function.
• NERC Certification.

Certifications

• Valid NERC certification at the Reliability Coordinator or Balancing Interchange level required prior to operating the bulk electric system.
• Certification must be maintained through ongoing NERC‑approved continuing education.

Salary

Annual Salary: $111,000 – $168,000 USD