System Operator Trainee

JOB OPENING

CITY OF FARMINGTON

JOB POSITION #122:  SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE

NUMBER OF VACANCIES:  1

DEPARTMENT:  Electric Utility/System Control

PAY CLASS: 

 System Operator Trainee II U-6 / 630     

SALARY RANGE:

 System Operator Trainee I $28.9191 / Hour

System Operator Trainee II $35.6563 / Hour

WORK LOCATION:  MOC

TYPE OF POSITION:  Regular, Full-Time         

DAYS WORKED:  Varied

HOURS WORKED:  Varied

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGH:  June 21, 2019

Resumes submitted without a City of Farmington application will not be considered in our job selection process.

  JOB DUTIES

The City of Farmington reserves the right to hire at either the Trainee I or Trainee II level, depending on experience and qualifications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor.

SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I:  Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor.  Trains, practices, and assists to improve in learning buying and selling of power, monitoring and maintaining reliability of the system, and knowledge in returning and restoring load. Completes studies and NERC Certified training.  System Operator Trainee I duration will be a minimum duration of two (2) years.

SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE II:  Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor.  Trains, practices, and assists to improve in learning buying and selling of power, monitoring and maintaining reliability of the system, and knowledge in returning and restoring load.  Has one year of System Operator Trainee I or equivalent.   Completes studies and NERC Certified training.  System Operator Trainee II duration will be a minimum of one (1) year.

The employee will be required to successfully complete the applicable trainee program(s).  The employee must pass the NERC System Operator Certification Examination in Reliability (RC) or Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission (BIT) within the minimum training period for Trainee I or Trainee II. 

Works with the Senior System Operator to ensure North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards pertinent to system operations are consistently adhered to:

• Trains in the practice of making real time decisions relative to the grid in selling and purchasing electrical power.
• Trains in and assists in monitoring system tie line to maintain reliability to FEUS and the bulk electric system.
• Trains in and assists in monitoring and maintaining within acceptable limits the FEUS transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution voltage.
• Learn to constantly use independent judgment in curtailing and restoring load.

Upon successfully completing the training and passing the NERC Reliability Coordinator Operator test and obtaining NERC Reliability Certification, Trainee will be eligible to apply for a System Operator if/when a vacancy exists.

Working with the Senior System Operator, assures NERC and WECC training requirements are met.

The following duties are the responsibility of the Senior System Operator on shift.  The Trainee will perform, assist and learn these duties ONLY under the direct supervision of the Senior System Operator as part of their training process.

• Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the public.
• Updates hourly power resource schedules and ensures hourly resource adequacy to reliably meet customer demand.
• Dispatches energy over the electric utility system considering the load requirements, reliability of service and the most economical utilization of power resources.
• Ensures the proper level of reserves is maintained appropriately to assure activation if needed.
• Monitors, enters, and verifies hourly loads and resources for reporting to reserve sharing group to ensure reserve obligations are met.
• Develops and executes arrangements for power brokering, resource scheduling and sales, third-party transactions, wheeling points of delivery and receipt of energy and energy accounting requirements with other utilities.
• Uses NERC tagging guidelines (OATI) to develop, implement, and verify all power schedules and transactions.  
• Prepares, processes, and coordinates all switching procedures for transmission, substations and major distribution circuit switching for routine and emergency work on the electric system.
• Monitors and maintains within acceptable limits the FEUS transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution voltage through selective tap changers and generator var output.
• Issues and records transmission and distribution hold tags and switching clearances. 
• In the event of an electric system disturbance or failure, quickly restores service in a safe and orderly manner through SCADA switching and radio directions given to field crews. 
• Records other information, including hourly and daily electrical load disturbances, failures, and relay breaker operations.  Monitors trends and performs minor adjustments to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and telemetry systems.
• Answers trouble calls by recording pertinent information in Operator Daily Logs and/or Report Forms and arranging for a repair crew as needed. 
• Operates base radio station during switching operations and incidental to minor equipment repair work.

Required to perform shift work with applicable overtime rules in a rotation of days and nights, including weekends and holidays.

Regular attendance at work is an essential requirement of this position.

The employee will be required to successfully complete the trainee program and pass the NERC/WECC Reliability Certification.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Travels as required for training for up to one week. 

Operates a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the department and the City.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing and follow-up testing.

This position is covered by NERC CIP cyber security standards.  Prior to being hired, promoted, or transferred into the position, the candidate must successfully pass a Personnel Risk Assessment, which includes identity verification and a criminal background check.  Prior to being granted unescorted access to cyber secure areas, the candidate must attend cyber security training.

SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I:

Electric Utility background preferred, knowledge of fundamental concepts and/or specific or job related traits highly desirable.  Demonstrated experience in a high stress environment.  High School diploma, or GED equivalent required.   Minimum of associate's or advanced degree, or a minimum of three years equivalent experience required.  Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification preferred. 

SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE II:

 Minimum of 2 years experience in electric dispatch or 2 years electric utility experience directly related to the operation of distribution and transmission systems.  High School diploma, or GED equivalent required.   Minimum of associate's or advanced degree, or equivalent experience required.  Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification desirable.

Preference may be given to candidates who meet the above requirements and have any the following:

• Expert knowledge of distribution and transmission systems.
• Strong knowledge of NERC and WECC policies and procedures.
• NERC Certified System Operator.
• Completion of electric utility trades apprenticeship in transmission and distribution, generation, relay, or substation.

Must maintain a combination of classroom and on-the-job training in power system apparatus, relaying, control, and system emergency response sufficient to sustain or maintain a stable and reliable electrical system with economic dispatch. 

Knowledge and understanding of electric theory, utility operations, electrical equipment and terminology.

Skill in utilizing mathematics as it applies to electrical theory and power system applications.

Ability to think clearly, act quickly and remain calm in emergencies.  Ability to use computer-based office and EMS applications.

Ability to distinguish colors on monitors/displays and drawings.

Team player with strong analytical and quantitative skills.

Effective communication skills, both orally and written, detail orientated, and the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time.

Ability to react calmly, intelligently, and efficiently under stressful conditions imposed by system disturbances and/or emergency conditions.

Must be able to communicate effectively with others, both in writing and orally. 

Must be able to establish effective working relationships with others.

Ability to accept and adapt to rotating shift work.

Must be familiar with, or have the ability to become familiar with Microsoft Excel worksheet functions, with Microsoft Word document development, and with software applications using Microsoft Internet Explorer, such as OATI tagging and on-line training services such as S.O.S.

Knowledge and understanding of basic math and basic algebra sufficient to reconcile daily/hourly loads and resources, to calculate basic electrical concepts such as ohms, current flows, voltages, and power flows and to understand wheeling rates, losses, and interchange accounts.

Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings.  Infrequent outdoor work is possible for training purposes at various substation and distribution sites and generation facilities.

The employee must have the ability to hear and speak clearly in order to process information and dispatch energy over the electric utility system.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds to load computer paper.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must have corrected visual acuity sufficient to accurately read incoming data on computer screens, computer printouts, and meters and to distinguish between the primary colors.

The employee will be required to perform shift work in a rotation of days, evenings and nights including weekends and holidays following the completion of the Trainee period.  The employee will work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, Days and Evening shifts during the Trainee period.  Graveyard shifts can be scheduled for training purposes as needed with advanced notice.  Full rotating shift coverage will be expected after passing the NERC Reliability Coordinator Operator test.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate in the field.

Work space is smoke free, temperature controlled and maintained at a comfortable level in all seasons.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F/D/V.

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