Transmission System Operator I

FirstEnergy Group; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy Group is seeking an Entry Level Transmission System Operator to support the reliable operation of our electrical grid. You will learn to monitor the system and coordinate switching, outages, and dispatch under supervision.

Training is provided to qualify for NERC/PJM certification and to advance toward career-level operator roles within FirstEnergy’s network, across our Fairmont, WV locations.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of accredited engineering/technical school degree or equivalent experience.
• Must satisfy the SOPD testing requirements.
• Able to meet NERC and PJM operator certification requirements as duties progress.
• Prefer experience in dispatching, substations, or energy scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Assist in controlling operation of the transmission system safely and reliably.
• Suggest operational changes to meet load fluctuations or equipment issues.
• Assist in issuing transmission switching orders to switchmen and power plant personnel.
• Perform operating studies and prepare reports, load flows and other data.
• Coordinate with system operators from other companies as needed.
• Schedule work on substation equipment, transmission lines and power plants.
• Assist in applying safety tags and issuing clearances or switching controls.
• Prepare and revise switching orders and operating procedures.
• Operate the Energy Management System application.
• Use FirstEnergy databases and applications (EDOA, Access).
• Diagnose causes of trouble and determine steps for restoration of service.

Skills

Engineering degree

SOPD knowledge

NERC/PJM certification

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Computer skills

Power systems knowledge

Education

Engineering or technical degree

Tools

Energy Management System

EDOA

Access Databases

Excel

Job description

About the Opportunity
This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.[FEU]
Transmission System Operators ensure the reliable delivery of electricity to consumers. From the company's state-of-the-art control centers, System Operators monitor conditions on the electrical grid and develop contingency plans to curtail potentially dangerous and costly system problems. System Operators prepare and coordinate switching procedures for routine and emergency work on the electric system and communicate this information to field crews. Entry level Transmission System Operators receive extensive training and valuable on the job experience to prepare for NERC/PJM certification and learn the FirstEnergy system. Based on individual performance, Operators then advance from an entry level position to the career-level Transmission System Operator position.
There are multiple positions available in Fairmont, WV

Responsibilities

• Assisting in controlling operation of the transmission system in a safe, reliable and efficient manner
• Assisting in ordering appropriate operational changes to meet load fluctuations or loss of generation equipment, substation equipment or transmission lines
• Assisting in issuing transmission switching orders to switchmen and power plant personnel
• Performing special operating studies and preparing reports, load flows and other operating and dispatching data
• Assisting in the coordination and operations of system operators from other companies
• Scheduling work on substation, transmission line and power plant substation equipment
• Assisting in the direct placement of safety tags and issuing clearance or switching controls to appropriate personnel
• Assisting in preparing new or revising existing switching orders and operating procedures
• Operating the Energy Management System computer application
• Using FirstEnergy's corporate computer applications, including EDOA, and Access Databases
• Diagnosing causes of trouble when interruptions occur in substations or to transmission lines and determining steps to be taken for the restoration of service, including the rerouting of electrical energy
• Obtaining weather information from weather services and interconnected companies to forecast loads
• Coordinating with regional personnel on matters pertaining to customer problems

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 - 4 years of an accredited engineering or technical school degree or in lieu of degree, equivalent experience with a high school diploma or equivalent required
• Must satisfy requirements of the EEi System Operator/Power Dispatching Test (SOPD)
• Able to meet all FirstEnergy, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and PJM operator certification requirements as responsibilities progress within the position
• Effective performance in regional dispatching, substation or lines areas, energy scheduling or equivalent type of experience in electric company operations preferred
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated good analytical skills to process information in a timely and accurate manner
• Ability to accurately perform analytical calculations such as voltage drops, transformer and circuit loadings, system load and interchange data calculations and verifications
• Demonstrated computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Knowledge of the equipment and principles involved in the operation of all components of the electrical system preferred