Balancing Authority System Operator I, II or Senior

Job Specifications

Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800 communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today-for our customers, communities and each other.

Position summary:

The Balancing Authority (BA) System Operator is responsible for the safe and reliable real-time monitoring and operation of Black Hills Energy's (BHE) Balancing Authority area. The BA System Operator is responsible for maintaining BHE's generation, load, interchange, and frequency balance, ensuring accurate transmission scheduling and compliance with applicable energy market protocols. This position works a 12-hour shift comprised of day and/or night shifts, weekends, and holidays according to a given schedule.

Pay Range: This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.
Level I: $71,100 - $106,600
Level II: $84,600 - $126,900
Senior: $94,800 - $156,250

Reporting Relationship: Balancing Authority Supervisor

Location: Our Corporate Headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota

Essential Functions:
* Implement real-time actions and emergency procedures to ensure the safe and reliable operation of BHE's electric Balancing Authority area are compliant with NERC Requirements.
* Exercise full authority to redispatch generation, implement emergency load reduction and establish generation requirements when energy resources cannot meet load requirements.
* Continually monitor on-line generation to ensure required system operating reserves; ensure the interconnected system, associated imbalance market and power pool operating agreements, criteria and guidelines are met.
* Ensure adequate energy supply for the Black Hills Energy Balancing Authority Area by managing spinning and operating reserves, balancing generation to load, planning to meet load forecasts, and generation unit commitments. Take appropriate actions to ensure replacement of lost resources due to generation unit trips.
* Maintain strict compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) standards and operating policies for system reliability and performance criteria.
* Proficient in using information technology systems such as Energy Management Systems, Open Access Same Time Information Systems, and other advanced applications to monitor, perform analysis, and reliably operate the Balancing Authority area.
* Update and maintain the accuracy of all electric system operations data. This includes real-time statuses of the configuration of the system, outage statuses, and other processes that are required for efficient operations as well as data that will be used for historical purposes to analyze the system for possible reliability improvements or answer inquiries from customers.
* Interface with Reliability Coordinators, Balancing Authorities, Market Operators, Transmission Operators, Generation Dispatchers and Power System Marketers to ensure proper and compliant communications with regard to power plant status, generating unit commitment, and market activities to address real-time operating constraints.
* Promote safety through training, inspections, meetings, and safety contact reports. Exhibit an awareness and concern for safety. Understand, observe and show skill in the application and implementation of safety rules, practices and safe work behaviors. Promptly correct any conditions and/or unsafe behaviors that may lead to accidents.
* Maintain NERC System Operator Certificate by completing required continuing education hours (CEHs) and completing all post-work training requirements.
* Monitor, approve, curtail, and deny Balancing Authority tags on OASIS for service requests to maintain compliance with relevant tariffs and real-time operating requirements.
Additional Responsibilities:
* Provide complete and accurate documentation of all system events, problems, transactions, commitments, and communications relating to real-time system operations, generation and scheduling of BHC and interconnected system energy resources.
* Provide operational support during large outages and emergency situations.
* Ensure appropriate company personnel are advised of any actions taken, or problems that have occurred in their areas.

What Is Required:
All Levels:
* High School Diploma or equivalent
* Ability to physically respond to the Reliability Center within 60 minutes of contact when needed for emergency assistance.
* Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts and participate in an after-hours on call rotation as required.
* Ability to pass an Edison Electric Institute (EEI) System Operator Power Dispatcher (SOPD) screening exam.

Level I:
* Minimum of 1 year of experience in Electrical utility operations in distribution, transmission, power generation, or balancing/interchange.
* NERC BT or RC System Operator Certificate within 1 Year.

Level II:
* Minimum of 3 years of experience in Electrical utility operations in distribution, transmission, power generation, or balancing/interchange.
* NERC System Operator Certificate BI or RC level within 1 Year.
* Knowledge of electric generation, electric transmission and/or electric distribution systems.
* Ability to write legibly, read and speak plainly to effectively communicate job results face-to-face, on the telephone, and the two-way radio using proper radio procedures; ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
* Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, be decisive, and make complicated sound decisions and conclusions in a noisy, sometimes stressful, fast-moving environment. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Senior:
* Minimum of 5 years of experience in electric utility System Operations in distribution, transmission, power generation, or balancing/interchange.
* NERC System Operator Certificate BI or RC level required upon hire.
* Knowledge of electric generation, electric transmission and/or electric distribution systems.
* Ability to use mathematics to analyze and solve problems involving electrical and mechanical theory, AC and DC theory, and the fundamentals of power flow.
* Knowledge and understanding of high voltage electrical utility operations and equipment.
* Knowledge of NERC and WECC regional procedures, government regulations, contractual agreements, operating policies and procedures, and equipment specifications.
* Ability to exercise good judgment and confidently make informed decisions.
* Ability to write legibly, read and speak plainly to effectively communicate job results face-to-face, on the telephone, and the two-way radio using proper radio procedures; ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
* Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, be decisive, and make complicated sound decisions and conclusions in a noisy, sometimes stressful, fast-moving environment. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

What Is Desired:
* Knowledge of electric generation, electric transmission and/or electric distribution systems.
* Ability to use mathematics to analyze and solve problems involving electrical and mechanical theory, AC and DC theory, and the fundamentals of power flow.
* Knowledge and understanding of high voltage electrical utility operations and equipment.
* Knowledge of NERC and WECC regional procedures, government regulations, contractual agreements, operating policies and procedures, and equipment specifications.
* Ability to write legibly, read and speak plainly to effectively communicate job results face-to-face, on the telephone, and the two-way radio using proper radio procedures; ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
* Working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and proficient keyboarding skills to analyze and query data.
* Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, be decisive, and make complicated sound decisions and conclusions in a noisy, sometimes stressful, fast-moving environment. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.

About our Company: We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package! Annual discretionary bonuses, 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave, company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term), an employee assistance program and well-being benefits, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. If you require reasonable accommodation, please visit careers.blackhillsenergy.com for more information.