Principal System Operator

Location

Tucker, GA | United States

Job description

Manages transmission operator and coordinator positions in the "real time" and/or "pre-arranged" execution of duties in the System Control Center. This includes, but is not limited to, switching the electric system to perform planned maintenance and new construction of high voltage facilities while ensuring that all customer and regional requirements are satisfied. Manages the switching activities to assure that all projects are performed in accordance with NESC, OSHA, Georgia "Red Book" standards and any related safety codes, system and regional reliability needs including NERC Standards and FERC Orders, and to ensure safety of field personnel and reliability to customers. Analyzes the "real time" environment and recommends upgrades to the system to ensure member interests and needs are represented and addressed, in a timely and cost-effective manner. This position is capable of filling any role performed by transmission operators and coordinators - both real-time and pre-arranged. Manages the on-the-job training (OJT) of new operators, any remedial OJT of existing operators and coordinates all training with the GSOC Operator Training team and the Smarr Training Facility. Will represent the Manager, Transmission Operations as needed. This position has the authority to shed load to maintain the integrity of the BES, or to correct a generation/load imbalance.

Job Duties:

• Manages the review and approval of switching orders to isolate equipment or perform high voltage hot-line work and the issuing of clearances and hot line tags. Analyzes the "real time" impact of the request on the stability and capability of the system, including researching technical drawings, prints, equipment specifications and procedural requirements. Manages the coordination of the transmission operators and their work with customers and other regional utilities to ensure the integrity of the system. Manages the field pre-construction meetings and schedules GSOC Transmission Operations representation at all major projects to ensure the safe and efficient execution of those projects. Performs the duties of the System Operator as needed and maintains a level of expertise in that area suitable to perform those duties on demand. Assists in the development of Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures to create and maintain a structured environment where safety and reliability are primary. Seeks out and recommends improvements to the Manager, Transmission Operations.
• Performs the real-time and/or pre-arranged management of the department to authorize, prioritize, control and document the scheduled operation of system resources and equipment to ensure that system performance is safe, reliable and acceptable. Coordinates all inter-company (GPC, MEAG, GTC, EMC, etc.) resource needs to ensure the integrity of the transmission system, including participation in regional conference calls and meetings. This position will interact with the GSOC Operator Training team, Smarr Training Facility and all instructors to coordinate the switching procedures as actually done by GSOC, with the switching procedures as taught. Maintain interaction with the GPC distribution and transmission control centers and ensures coordinated system operations between all affected parties. Manages interactions between various GTC departments, GPC departments, regions and control centers and Member systems to ensure seamless operation of the electric system.
• This position is responsible for all OJT for new operators, supervises all real-time and/or pre-arranged work performed in Transmission Operations, and can fill in on any desk when needed. This position makes decisions necessary to assist the operator on duty including the coordination of outage management.
• Provides supervision necessary to the transmission operators to authorize, schedule and dispatch manpower to coordinate/facilitate/direct repair of faulted equipment and restore the system to full operation and/or isolate system failures. Represents GTC and EMC interests with GPC. Performs fault analysis to verify any problem safely cleared.
• Operates the Energy Control System to (a) detect and avert station overload, equipment damage, and voltage fluctuations (b) maintain and enhance system stability. Continuously monitors weather and system conditions and interacts with the Disaster Response Plan, when necessary. Performs contingency planning and initiates corrective actions, such as, independently initiating manual load shedding, operating breakers/switches, and load management. This position and the System Operator are the first called in an emergency restoration situation.
• Works with ECS staff to suggest areas where improvement and change are needed to increase the efficiency and usefulness of the SCADA system.
• Recommends upgrades to system equipment and procedures to GTC. Assists GTC in the investigation of outages to determine cause and effect. After determining cause and effect of outages; analyses restoration efforts and determines any training necessary to enable the operators to achieve better methods that promote safety, reliability and efficiency. Participates in the design of that training and controls all remedial OJT.
• Delivers oral and written presentations and reports that alert senior management to ongoing trends and activities that might impact the strategies and position of the company when responding to members and the public.
• Completes performance evaluations on the Transmission Operations Staff and provides feedback to the Manager, Transmission Operations. Responsible for maintaining adequate shift coverage. Manage the vacation request process to ensure all positions are covered to reliably monitor and operate the transmission system and all substations. Update the shift coverage process as needed, publish the process to department personnel and instruct as necessary to ensure understanding. Review every timesheet and verify the accuracy of all vacation, sick leave, overtime and time worked, and submit corrected time sheets to manager.

Required Qualifications:

Education : High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience : At least Ten (10) years of experience in a transmission control center as a Transmission Operator. Two of those years in a supervisory (direct or indirect) position.

Equivalent Experience:

• At least Twelve (12) years of experience as an electric system operator, with at least four as a transmission operator. At least two years in a supervisory (direct or indirect) position, OR
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field with at least three (3) years of experience as an electric system operator and two years in a supervisory position.

Specialized Skills : AC/DC theory, blueprint reading, and Excel/MS Word experience required. Must have sound decision making ability under stressful conditions. Must be able to communicate effectively.

Licenses/ Certifications: NERC Certified System Operator.

Georgia System Operations Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, including veterans and disabled. We are a drug-free workplace. All applicants are subject to substance abuse testing.

Job tags

Salary

$120.5k - $150.6k