What are the responsibilities and job description for the ECC Balancing Authority Operator position at APS?
Date: Mar 6, 2025
Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US, 85021-1808
Company: APS
Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.
Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.
Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.
Summary
The Energy Control Center Balancing Authority Operator monitors and analyzes system conditions; takes necessary action to operate the APS Balancing Authority in a safe, reliable manner. The Balancing Authority is responsible for maintaining generation-load-frequency control, ensuring accurate transmission scheduling and participating in the Energy Imbalance Market.
Minimum Requirements
- High school/GED and four (4) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work.
- OR BS/BA/AA in related technical field or operations/business management and two (2) years' experience in a related field, such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work management.
- Ability to obtain the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification within six (6) months of hire and to complete all continuing education as required by NERC and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).
- Continue educational and professional development beyond the level of basis (entry level) training.
Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:
- Two years' experience as a NERC certified operator within the WECC.
- Demonstrated knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry; demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills; PC literate.
Major Accountabilities
1) Analyze conditions; take control action to operate the APS Balancing Authority within design limits.
2) To follow all FERC, NERC and WECC operating policies and procedures.
3) Exercise full authority to implement emergency load reduction when energy resources cannot meet load requirements.
4) Continually monitor on-line generation to ensure required system operating reserves; and ensure the interconnected system and associated power pool operating agreements, criteria and guidelines are met.
5) Interface with system marketers to ensure proper communications with regard to power plant status and generating unit commitment, and Energy Imbalance Market activities.
6) Provide complete and accurate documentation of all system events, problems, transactions, commitments, and communications relating to real time system operations, generation and scheduling of APS and interconnected system energy resources. Documentation is for management, state and federal regulatory review.
7) Update available transmission postings, process requests for transmission service, and implement transmission and energy interchange schedules in computer.
Export Compliance / EEO Statement
This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.
For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.
Testing Information
A test using a computer with keyboard will be administered (SO/PD II)
Tests are only administered to referred candidates. More information about our tests and the testing process can be found HERE.
E-mail will be the method of contact with job applicants for test scheduling. Please be sure to check your e-mail regularly so that you receive scheduling notifications for testing and updated job information.
CIP Requirement:
This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.
On-site: Requires work to be performed in the field and/or at an APS facility. Depending on the responsibilities of the role, this may include, but is not limited to, working at a power plant, job site, or in the community.
- Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
- Role types are subject to change based on business need.
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