What are the responsibilities and job description for the SYSTEM OPERATOR BA-ASSOC -STAFF position at El Paso Electric?
COMPANY OVERVIEW
El Paso Electric (EPE) is a regional energy provider that is engaged in generation, transmission, and distribution service to power approximately 460,000 customers in a 10,000-square mile area of the Rio Grande Valley in west Texas and southern New Mexico. We invite you to visit epelectric.com to learn more about EPE and our strategic initiatives. Join our EPE Team, and TOGETHER, we will transform the energy landscape.
DATE POSTED: 03/21/2023 CLOSING DATE: 03/28/2023
GRADE LEVEL: 52-53
DEPARTMENT: Operations
STARTING SALARY: $67,400 - $104,000 Salary is commensurate with experience.
JOB FAMILY SUMMARY PURPOSE:
Under the general supervision of the BA, Reliability Supervisor is responsible for the economic dispatch and reliable operation of EPE’s generation facilities during normal and emergency system conditions. BA Operator is responsible for implementing energy schedules, operating the phase shifter, and issuing switching orders for generators operating within EPE’s Balancing Area, processing Real Time Electronic tags (ETags), coordinating and implementing real time energy and transmission schedules. Accountable for maintaining and updating the generator outage database, as well as, calculating forced outage rates and forecast error. Complies with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards in meeting interchange, load, and generation needs as EPE’ Balancing Authority.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or other analytical/technical field with basic knowledge of electric theory or power systems; or an equivalent combination of related training and experience.
- NERC operator certification or ability to obtain certification within in (6) months of hire date.
EXPERIENCE:
0-3 years or more of experience required.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate with or without a reasonable accommodation that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Experience with a utility company in energy or transmission scheduling or dispatch and related System Operations functions.
- Intermediate knowledge of electrical principles, procedures, and components, power system operations, including power plant operations, fundamentals of alternating current circuits, and electrical safety policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of power system operations, WECC, NERC, and FERC-mandated industry practices, interchange scheduling, and contract and tariff administration.
- Possesses and applies a broad knowledge of energy flows, interchange, accounting practices, data analysis, and research techniques.
- Understanding of the regulatory process and issues affecting control areas and transmission providers.
- Ability to learn forecasting and research techniques, interpret transmission contracts, administer transmission tariffs, and perform data analysis. In addition, gain an in-depth understanding of the electric regulatory process and issues affecting control areas and transmission providers.
- Ability to make presentations and teach new developments of the electric utility field to System Controllers and others. Operate personal computer, EMS, and various software applications used in the scheduling and balancing of energy and transmission.
- Must pass NERC Certification exam and obtain a NERC System Operator Certification within (6) months of hire date.
- Available to work rotating 12-hour shifts and/or irregular and long hours as required
- Ability to project current system conditions to future projections and take appropriate action. Monitor and apply control system principles rationally to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to travel for training and seminars and to represent EPE at industry-related meetings.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with officers, managers, fellow employees, and the general public.
- Ability to maintain a strong sense of propriety concerning confidential matters.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Performs real-time energy scheduling through verification and coordination of E-Tags and system resource schedules prepared by the company's marketing department.
- Performs real-time reviews and approvals of short-term transmission reservations made through OASIS.
- Cross references E-tag transmission profiles to OASIS transactions to ensure transmission usage by customers agree to transmission sales terms.
- Reconciles and loads schedules to the real-time Scheduling System and assists in the development and implementation of accounting methods to properly confirm and record each transaction with regard to control area, contract compliance, and billing requirements.
- Monitors daily interchange, tie line meters, and inadvertent interchange checking for accuracy of data and efficiency of overall system operations, and resolves interchange scheduling disputes with utilities and power marketing entities.
- Communicates with outside System Controllers, Schedulers, and parties to transactions to balance all schedules.
- Ensures compliance with transmission sales contracts and terms, and monitors transmission rates and capacities, and posts curtailment data on the OASIS.
- Responsible for the economic dispatch and reliable operation of EPE’s generation facilities during normal and emergency system conditions. Initiates appropriate action in the event of an emergency to return the system to safe and reliable operation.
- Works with the Power Marketing Department and Real-time schedulers to coordinate and schedule energy resources to meet system load requirements. Enters energy schedules into EMS for committed sales and purchases.
- Responsible for tracking unit commitment and economic dispatch, as well as ensuring generators operate under Automatic Generation Control (AGC).
- Issues switching orders to bring online EPE local generators or Southern New Mexico generators operating within the EPE Balancing Area. Accountable for maintaining and updating the generator outage database, as well as calculating forced outage rates and forecast errors.
- Monitors generation conditions by way of alarms, telemetry, status, modes of operation, etc.
- Adheres to all FERC rules and regulations regarding Standards of Conduct.
- Complies with all applicable Company policies, procedures, and code of ethics as well as all applicable governmental laws and regulations to include employment, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
- Perform other related tasks that are not included but are within the context of the duties defined.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- The incumbents in this classification are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions; primary work environment is typically of an office or administrative nature.
- May work non-standard hours.
- May require travel to Company work sites.
- May require out-of-town travel.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. This position will require sitting most of the time.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Must convey detailed and/or important information through oral communication.
- Hearing: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and really correct information to co-workers.
- Fingering: Picking, typing, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arms as in handling.
- Repetitive motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
- Visual acuity: Color, depth perception, and field of vision to include measurement devices for close inspection and analysis.
If interested in applying for this position, you must apply on-line by 5:00 PM, MARCH 28, 2023. (Please scroll back up to the “Apply Now” button)
Salary : $67,400 - $104,000
