Transmission System Operator, Senior

Pedernales Electric Cooperative; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is seeking a Transmission System Operator to maintain grid safety and reliability, drive continuous improvement, and help create automated solutions for operational challenges in the ERCOT region.

You will coordinate Transmission System Operators, issue switching orders, monitor limits, and respond to emergencies while maintaining communication with ERCOT and adhering to PEC procedures.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of EMS/SCADA applications or related mission-critical controls experience.
• Experience with procedures for switching and operating transmission facilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to plan, document, and train others on system operations.
• Understanding of safety and health protocols in a control environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Transmission System Operators to monitor the grid and maintain operating limits.
• Write, validate and communicate switching orders for transmission/substation facilities.
• Operate the transmission system in alignment with ERCOT guides, NERC standards and PEC procedures.
• Direct and assist in system emergencies to reduce outages and restore reliability.
• Review planned and unplanned outages; communicate impacts on security schemes.
• Initiate notifications for outages or events that could affect customers or equipment.

Skills

EMS/SCADA

Time management

Communication

Customer service

Education

NERC System Operator certification

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

$56.81 Minimum Starting Base Pay* + KPI Bonuses + Competitive Benefits

*Qualifications may warrant greater starting base pay within the full pay range. Individual base pay is determined by experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for maintaining the safety of personnel, ensuring the reliability of the electric grid, driving continuous improvement, and assisting with the creation of automated solutions to solve operational challenges for the transmission system.

• Coordinate the operations of the Transmission System Operators while monitoring the transmission system to ensure recommended operating limits are not exceeded
• Write, validate and communicate switching orders for transmission and substation facilities consistent with the Transmission Services Safety and Health Handbook, PEC Transmission Switching Procedures Manual, and System Operations Procedures to ensure safety of field personnel while making transmission and substation facilities available for maintenance and construction activities
• Operate the transmission system to ensure compliance with ERCOT Operating Guides and Protocols, NERC Standards and PEC Transmission Switching Procedures. Maintains close communication with ERCOT, keeping them informed of any changes in the PEC transmission system
• Review all procedures to ensure compliance with PEC’s Transmission Services Health and Safety Handbook and the Transmission Switching Procedures
• Direct and assist in System Emergencies (Black Start, System Outages, etc.) to reduce customer outage time and restore system integrity
• Review planned daily switching to meet security guidelines and possible effects on Special Protection Schemes and assists with unplanned outages to ensure system reliability
• Initiate notifications pertaining to the PEC transmission system equipment outages or pending situations that could result in customer outage, line overloading, equipment overloading or transfer limitations
• Review all written logs pertaining to daily events to ensure proper logging and readability
• Assist in planning and implementation of training programs
• Maintain System Operations Daily Report, System Faults notifications, ERCOT Advisory, Watch, and Emergency notifications, and any other notifications concerning PEC’s transmission system or ERCOT related information
• Support the goals and directives of the PEC Transmission Operations Engineering Manager and Transmission Engineering Manager
• Attend annual ERCOT Black Start Regional training, annual ERCOT Training Seminar, and any other training and seminars as mandated by management, NERC, and ERCOT
• Shed firm load during ERCOT Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) event, or any events where shedding firm load is necessary to maintain the integrity of the transmission grid and/or for the safety of personnel and equipment
• Restore load following force majeure and mandated load shedding events
• Approve all Transmission Orders prior to implementation by the Transmission System Operators
• Perform transmission outage coordination duties during off-normal business hours and during the absence of the Transmission Outage Coordinator
• Maintain the security of confidential information
• Stay abreast of advances in technology
• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned

Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities

Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to less experienced staff. May act as a first-level supervisor when manager is out of the office.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of EMS/ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications or prior work experience in a mission critical or controls environment
• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data, configuration, or processing information
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service
• Knowledge of technical presentations and reporting
• Knowledge of construction materials and products
• Experience working on EMS based infrastructure and comfortable building and executing training scenarios
• Skilled in time management
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems

Minimum Qualifications - (Education, Experience)

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 7 years of directly related experience
• NERC System Operator certification
• Valid Texas Driver’s License
• ERCOT System Operator Certification preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 25 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period
• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.