Sr System Operator

Consumers Energy; Jackson (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Up to 13 paid Holidays

Paid time off

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

Consumers Energy is seeking a Senior System Operator to lead 24/7 monitoring and control of the electric distribution system, ensuring reliability and safety across HVD/LVD assets. The role emphasizes SCADA/ADMS operation, switching and tagging, and coordination with field crews to restore service efficiently.

The position requires strong training delivery, experience with OMS/SCADA tools, and compliance with NERC/MPSC guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of switching & tagging on CE's electric system.
• Associate's degree with 6+ years of experience, with a minimum of 4 years switching & tagging on CE's system.
• High School Diploma or GED with 8+ years of experience, with a minimum of 4 years switching & tagging on CE's system.

Responsibilities

• Lead monitoring, control and support of 24/7 electric power distribution operations.
• Administer switching and tagging to ensure safe, efficient outages per policy.
• Direct field personnel to deenergize etc. to protect crews and avoid interruptions.

Skills

SCADA operations

ADMS

OMS

Substation diagrams

Electrical distribution

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Associate's degree + 4+ years experience in switching & tagging

High School Diploma or GED + 8+ years experience

Tools

iTOA

GIS

OMS

SCADA

GPS

Job description

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with a minimum onsite requirement of Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the assigned Parnall location in Jackson or Grand Rapids Service Center. Additional onsite presence may be required based on business, operational, or training needs. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those who qualify).

Due to the training involved to become fully functional in the System Operator role, there is a 36 month commitment period, whereas, you will be ineligible to apply for another internal job posting during the first36 months (i.e., commitment period).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Senior System Operators lead the monitoring, controlling and supporting the 24/7 operations of the Consumers Energy electric power distribution system to meet power demands. The incumbent is responsible for the reliability of Consumers Energy's high voltage distribution (HVD) and low voltage (LVD) electric systems to include complying with all applicable NERC standards and are responsible for analyzing and monitoring of complex transmission, HVD and LVD substations, lines, equipment and interconnection points with transmission providers for both normal and emergency restoration conditions. Administers the switching and tagging on the CE, HVD and LVD electric systems to ensure outages are executed in a safe, efficient and reliable manner as set forth by the policies, procedures and guidelines of Consumers Energy, NERC, ITC, MIOSHA, MPSC and MISO Lead the monitoring of SCADA and ADMS for conditions of lines and equipment throughout the system and makes adjustments or directs workers to make adjustments as conditions warrant. Direct field personnel to deenergize malfunctioning equipment or adjust switches to ensure the safety of maintenance crews and avoid interruptions of service during repairs. Notify maintenance crews of location and de-energization of troubled area and verifies that workers are clear of repaired equipment before directing energization of circuit.

Serve as a subject matter expert in electric system operations training and workforce development, developing and delivering training across system operations, switching and tagging, outage restoration, emergency response, SCADA, ADMS, OMS, and applicable regulatory requirements. Support operator qualification, certification, continuing education, and emergency and storm readiness through classroom, virtual, simulator-based, and on-the-job training. Partner with Operations Engineering, Performance & Standards, Technology, and field operations to identify and address training needs, incorporate lessons learned, and support ongoing workforce readiness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain training materials, lesson plans, job aids, exercises, and qualification assessments.
• Deliver technical instruction, simulator exercises, operational drills, knowledge checks, and competency evaluations.
• Identify skill gaps and provide training supporting new technologies, procedures, operating practices, safety, reliability, and compliance.
• Maintain required training, qualification, compliance, and audit documentation.
• Participate in event investigations, root cause reviews, and lessons learned to identify workforce development needs.
• Responsible for identifying, analyzing complex data, isolating and restoring service on the Consumers Energy HVD/LVD electric system
• Lead the administering of the switching and tagging process on the Consumers Energy HVD & LVD electric system to ensure outages are executed in a safe, efficient and reliable manner as set forth by the policies, procedures and guidelines of Consumers Energy
• Operate various complex computer systems including the Outage Management System (OMS), Global Positioning System (GPS), SCADA, ADMS, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), integrated Tools for Operations Applications (iTOA), Microsoft Office Tools and effectively communicate with internal and external customers
• Monitor SCADA and ADMS for operating conditions of lines and equipment throughout the system and makes adjustments or directs workers to make adjustments as conditions warrant
• Lead the repair and restoration of failed equipment
• Formulate, write and approve complex switching plans
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Operating an electric system to include knowledge of SCADA operations
• Understanding of electric distribution systems, system components, work practices and operating principles Ability to read substation wiring diagrams
• Knowledge of integrated Tools for Operations Application (iTOA)
• Knowledge of Outage Management System (OMS)
• Knowledge of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
• Knowledge of Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS)
• Oral and written communication skills
• Adult learning, instructional techniques, facilitation, operator qualification, and regulatory requirements - Broad Knowledge.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into effective classroom and simulator training - Expert Knowledge.
• Coaching, mentoring, and developmental feedback - Expert Knowledge.
• Change management and organizational learning - Broad Knowledge.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree with four (4) or more years of experience in Switching & Tagging on CE's electric system.
  • [OR] Associate's Degree with six (6) or more years of experience, with a minimum of 4 years Switching & Tagging on CE's electric system.
  • [OR] High School Diploma or GED with eight (8) or more years of experience, with a minimum of 4 years Switching & Tagging on CE's electric system.

Preferred Experience

• Experience as an instructor, coach, mentor, or subject matter expert supporting employee development.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.