Systems Operator

NAES Corporation; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Gridforce Energy Management, a NAES Company, is seeking a Systems Operator to prioritize and coordinate the operation of power generating units with power marketing organizations and plant personnel.

You will monitor real-time data, manage outages, and ensure reliability across the Bulk Electric System while complying with NERC standards and safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Math, Economics, Business Admin or related field.
• NERC reliability coordinator and PJM transmission certifications are required.
• Experience with generating plants and RTO/ISO operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize, manage, and coordinate operation of power generating units.
• Respond to emergency procedures including curtailing firm demand.
• Coordinate start/shut-down of customer assets and outages scheduling.
• Communicate with ISOs, reliability coordinators, and transmission operators.
• Provide real-time data and analysis of operating reports/logs.
• Ensure adherence to NERC standards and company policies.

Skills

Control Room Operations

NERC Reliability Standards Compliance

Dedicated

Team Player

Flexibility

Self-Starter

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Gridforce Energy Management’s mission is to ensure power flows consistently and reliably while enhancing our client’s profitability and reducing their risk exposure. Since 1999, Gridforce has been providing precision energy control and integration management services to micro-grids, load-serving entities and demand response clients throughout North America. Our employees are constantly iterating, solving problems, and working together to improve the business of our diverse client base from cities, municipalities and electric cooperatives, in addition to generation owners and operators.

We offer our employees opportunities for career development and training, providing new and valuable skills and experience. We are located in Houston, Texas -- the second fastest growing city in the nation, with world-class medical, cultural, educational and research institutions and a young, energetic and diverse population. Gridforce is located in the heart of Downtown Houston which provides an energizing and engaging atmosphere where you will love to come to work. Gridforce Energy Management is a NAES Company.

Opportunity Summary

The responsibility of a Systems Operator is to prioritize, manage, analyze and coordinate the operation of power generating units with power marketing organizations and plant personnel including the shutdown and return of power generating units in addition to monitoring and coordinating operation with owners of transmission facilities.

Here’s a look at some of the work you’ll be doing...

• Managing and responding to emergency procedures (up to and including curtailing firm demand)
• Monitoring and deploying reserves
• Coordinating start/shut-down of customer assets
• Scheduling outages
• Communicating with Independent System Operators, reliability coordinators, balancing authorities and transmission operators
• Preparing and analyzing operating reports/logs and, providing real time data to the Company and third party contracted counterparts
• Responsibility and authority to implement real-time actions to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System, including shedding load
• Participating in all required training to perform as a System Operator
• Real-time operational decision-making needs of customer facilities, including meeting NERC control performance measures and operating limits. Process requires the capability to effectively and efficiently manage a myriad of factors that impact performance and limits including energy schedule volumes, frequency, power flows and deviations.
• Managing compliance with all applicable NERC Reliability Standards. The position requires a specific working knowledge of NERC region and NERC criteria and requirements.
• Proper verbal and written communications between ISOs, customer generation facilities, customer power marketers, reliability coordinators, balancing authorities, and transmission operators
• Implementing emergency procedures as necessary/required
• Ensure that Gridforce policies are adhered to on shift
• Market new commercial services contracts with new and/or existing customers throughout the North American electrical industry
• Provide input into forward business strategies, marketing efforts, and analytical and structural support for improving service areas.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Physical Requirements include the ability to sit for long periods of time, communicate verbally and in writing and handle long periods of screen time.

This position supports a 24 x 7 business; must be willing to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule including weekends and holidays and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

Fit for Duty

All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a pre-employment drug screen.

Compensation

The initial compensation range is $123,00 - $142,050 depending on experience and qualifications.

Why you’re the perfect addition to our team (about you):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Math, Economics, Business Administration, or other related discipline and/or experience desired
• Five or more years of relevant experience including a working knowledge of generating plants, RTO/ISO operations, and transmission or distribution operations.
• Specific working knowledge of regional reliability operating policies and representation on NERC and regional committees nationwide
• NERC reliability coordinator and PJM transmission certifications.Must be willing to obtain PJM generation certification within 6 months and PJM transmission certification within 12 months.
• Must be willing to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule including holidays and adapt to a rapidly changing environment
• Work independently to perform primary duties and be able to interpret existing policies and procedures to make decisions in real time
• Ability to identify and solicit appropriate services customers that fit the existing services portfolio and Company’s forward business strategies
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; possess strong analytical, problem solving, presentation and negotiation skills, and the ability to use computer applications
• Must have a valid driver's license

Performance

All employees have the responsibility to both the customer and their co-workers to do the job right the first time, and to ensure the customer’s needs are being met.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value of NAES and Gridforce. As a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.

Qualifications

Skills

Required

Control Room Operations

Advanced

Preferred

NERC Reliability Standards Compliance

Advanced

Advanced

Behaviors

Preferred

Dedicated

Dedicated

: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Team Player

Team Player

: Works well as a member of a group

Motivations

Preferred

Flexibility

Flexibility

: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Self-Starter

: Inspired to perform without outside help

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field.

Bachelors or better in Engineering.

Experience

Required

Requires NERC reliability coordinator and PJM transmission certifications.

Requires specific working knowledge of regional reliability operating policies and representation on NERC and regional committees nationwide

5 years:

5 years:

Working knowledge of generating plants, RTO/ISO operations, and transmission or distribution operations.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

NERC Certified

Preferred

PJM Syst Oper-Trans Cert

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.