Senior Electric Transmission System Operator

Colorado Springs Utilities; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 94,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

12-hour shifts

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Colorado Springs Utilities is seeking a Senior Electric Transmission System Operator to ensure the safe, reliable, and economical operation of the electric transmission and generation systems.

You will have significant operational authority and respond to real-time grid conditions to safeguard service continuity for our community.

Qualifications

• Experience in electric generation, transmission, and/or distribution.
• Possession of a NERC Reliability Operator Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Ability to prioritize safety while balancing reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control the power grid using SCADA, EMS, SE, and RTCA tools to maintain safe and reliable operations.
• Conduct real-time and day-ahead power flow studies to anticipate needs and address reliability concerns.
• Coordinate with Reliability Coordinators, Balancing Authorities, and neighboring Operators to support grid stability.
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate system risks and respond to changing load and generation availability.
• Dispatch generation resources, including AGC coordination with market needs and regulatory compliance.

Job description

Senior Electric Transmission System Operator

Job Type: Skilled Trades & Craft

Pay Range $68.41

Location Colorado Springs, CO

Date First Posted 10/28/26

Applications are being accepted through: 11/10/26

*If no date is displayed, applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis; however, this job posting may close at any time after a minimum of 5 days of being posted.

Senior Electric Transmission System Operator

This job is eligible for relocation assistance to Colorado Springs.

The starting pay rate for this position is $68.42 followed by an increase to $71.82 after successfully completing probation (six months).

Are you an experienced power system professional who thrives in high-stakes environments and enjoys making real-time decisions that keep the lights on for the community? If so, we are hiring a Senior Electric Transmission System Operator to play a critical role in ensuring the safe, reliable, efficient, and economical operation of our electric transmission and generation systems. You'll be entrusted with significant operational authority and decision-making responsibility to maintain the stability of the Bulk Electric System (BES). From directing next-day and real-time system operations to responding to rapidly changing grid conditions, you'll help safeguard system reliability and support the delivery of essential electric service to our customers.

Please note that this job requires working under general supervision while making critical, independent decisions in a fast-paced environment under potentially stressful conditions. Additionally, this job provides 24/7/365 coverage and the successful candidate will work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule, including weekends, holidays, and overtime.

What Else Will You be Doing?

• Monitor and control the power grid using SCADA, EMS, State Estimator (SE), and Real-Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA) tools to maintain safe and reliable system operations

• Conduct real-time and day-ahead power flow studies to anticipate system needs and proactively address potential reliability concerns

• Partner with regional reliability organizations, including Reliability Coordinators, Balancing Authorities, and neighboring Transmission Operators to support overall grid stability

• Develop and implement strategies that mitigate system risks and respond to changing load conditions, generation availability, and emergency events

• Perform short-term load forecasting and ensure generation, reserve, and reliability obligations are met

• Dispatch generation resources manually and through Automatic Generation Control (AGC) while coordinating RTO market needs, regulatory compliance, and system reliability

• Review and approve operational requests, including transmission service requests and planned outages

• Lead outage coordination activities and maintain final approval authority for transmission, generation, protection, controls, and communication asset outages

• Direct switching and restoration activities for the transmission system, including issuing clearances, operating instructions, and coordinating with field and plant personnel to ensure safe and reliable operations

• Take decisive action during abnormal and emergency conditions, including implementing measures necessary to prevent or mitigate System Operating Limit (SOL) and Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit (IROL) violations

Who You Are

• Demonstrated experience in electric generation, transmission, and/or distribution, preferably in a system operator capacity

• Possession of a NERC Reliability Operator Certification, or the ability to obtain and maintain within six months of hire

• Ability to prioritize safety while balancing reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (1/3 of the time), and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary only if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other criteria are met. Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Our Commitment to Our Employees

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure

• Personal Leave –3 days per year

• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year

• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs

• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility

• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost

• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan

• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy

• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind

• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans

• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available

• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance

• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness

ATTENTION :

• All positions will be posted for a minimum of 5 calendar days.

• Starting pay will be based on the successful candidate's experience, education, and training; however, those with limited direct experience could start below the posted pay range.

• If a single pay rate is posted, the job starts at that rate regardless of previous experience, education, and training.

• Colorado Springs Utilities does not sponsor work visas of any kind, including H-1B, TN, or F-1 student visas (with or without OPT or STEM work authorization), or any other employment-based visas. All eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, and work authorization must not be based on employer sponsorship of a work visa.

Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Colorado Springs Utilities is committed to the principles of affirmative action and equal opportunity in accord with Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, 38 U.S.C. § 4212, as amended (VEVRAA), and § 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (§ 503). In addition, no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis protected under state or federal law. Human Resources shall assure Colorado Springs Utilities’ benefits, classification, compensation, employee development, employee relations, and employment programs, conform to current legal and regulatory requirements and the provisions of Colorado Springs Utilities’ affirmative action plan in accordance with VEVRAA and § 503.

Accessibility Accommodations

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting us at [e-mail] or by calling 719-668-7500. This option is reserved for individuals who are unable to use or require assistance with the online tools as a result of a disability and is not intended for other purposes.

E-Verify and Right to Work Notice

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Colorado Springs Utilities participates in E-Verify. For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit: http://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/applicants-rights-and-responsibilities/. If you have a legal right to work in the United States, there are laws to protect you against discrimination in the workplace. You should know that no employer can deny you a job or fire you because of your national origin. Unless mandated by law or government contract, employers cannot require you to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident or refuse any legally acceptable documents. If any of these things have happened to you, you may have a valid charge of discrimination that can be filed with the OSC. Contact the OSC for assistance in your own language. Call 1-800-255-7688. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-237-2515. In the Washington, D.C., area, please call 202-616-5594, TDD 202-616-5525 Or write to: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel NYA 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20530.

Have a question?

Job Type: Skilled Trades & Craft If you have a question about a position or need assistance from a recruiter, email us at [e-mail] or call 719-668-7500.

Job Type: Skilled Trades & Craft