Electric System Operator Trainee

Description

• Work a rotating twelve-hour shift cycle with overtime, weekend, and night work
• Utilize state estimation tools to identify grid reliability risks and develop operation plans
• Develop switching plans and issue appropriate switching orders to field personnel
• Issue and track transmission work authorizations including Clearances and Hot Line Holds to ensure public and field personnel safety
• Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives
• Maintain NorthWestern Energy contingency reserves, enter NWE contingency events into EIM and coordinate NWE Reserve Sharing requests and deployments with Reserve Sharing partners
• Communicate operational information with impacted utilities and agencies and complete required event reporting
• Meet and operate within NERC, FERC, and WECC standards, requirements, and guidelines
• Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
• Coordinate switching and clearance procedures with field personnel
• Monitor and control NorthWestern Energy's transmission system and associated tie-lines to ensure system voltages and energy flows remain within operational limits
• Perform all necessary functions for maintenance and revision of the map board
• Perform dispatch-related functions including monitoring and recording of energy flows, generator unit status, system load, and remaining load
• Monitor Transfer limits and EIM energy flows for each Intertie with other EIM participants through BAAOP
• Perform reliability based Energy Imbalance Market tasks to pass binding CAISO EIM Sufficiency Tests (Capacity, Balance, Flex Ramp) and take corrective actions for EIM Sufficiency Test failures
• Implement real-time actions to ensure stable and reliable operations of the bulk electric transmission system during system normal and emergency conditions
• Monitor the EIM solution in Real-Time and evaluate results for Market Infeasibilities, generation data errors, communication errors and other Real-Time issues which impact generation operations and EIM solution quality

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimal travel is required for training or other purposes - up to 10%
• Must have personal computer operating experience
• Experience with Plant Information (PI) software desired
• Must be able to make decisions quickly and accurately
• Must obtain NERC Certification (Balancing Authority Transmission Operator (BATOP) or higher)
• Work 1 of 4 desks on demand (High Volt, Low Volt, Energy Imbalance Market or Scheduling) and progress to System Operator Electric Level III based on achieving certification on two desks and completing IBEW-44 Journeyman qualification, in approximately two years
• Current NERC BATOP (or higher) certification highly preferred
• Proficie tly perform Energy Imbalance Market tasks, Balancing Authority tasks or Transmission Operations tasks, and other duties as assigned
• Must be able to quickly learn specialized computer applications
• Commitment to safe working practices and knowledge of safety policies/procedures
• Adapt to technological changes as they are implemented
• Previous electrical utility control center operating experience is preferred in any or all of these areas: Balancing Authority (BA) interchange and scheduling operations with knowledge of OATI/OASIS systems; Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) operations with knowledge of BAAOP or similar programs; Transmission Operator (TOP) functions including electric transmission line switching, clearance procedures, voltage control, and other tasks required to maintain reliability of an electrical grid
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs
• Complete System Operator Electric apprenticeship or a combination of previous experience in similar field (e.g. engineering, journeyman lineman, generation operator) in conjunction with advanced Apprenticeship training
• Must have good oral and written communication skills
• Get Into Energy -- Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus [getintoenergy.org] (click here to certify at no cost)
• Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software desired
• Must be able to think clearly and function appropriately in high stress situations
• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance