What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operator I or II position at Southwest Power Pool?
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!
We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.
We’re seeking Power System Operators who thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment to support the reliable, real-time operation of a dynamic bulk electric system. Operators play a critical role in managing grid reliability, customer coordination, and ensuring compliance with the SPP Transmission Tariff and ancillary services markets. This position requires strong analytical thinking, sound judgment under pressure, and a commitment to continuous learning. Operators rotate through several desks with distinct but interconnected responsibilities: RTBM, WEIS and Balancing. Operators are required to work a rotating shift and this adds to the inherent stress/fatigue associated with operating a dynamic power system.
Key Responsibilities
RTBM Desk:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Travel Requirement
This position requires minimal travel (approximately 5%)
SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.
Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.
We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:
- Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
- Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Relocation bonus (if applicable)
- Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
- Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.
- Operator II Pay Range: $68,600 -$85,750
- Operator I Pay Range: $62,500 – 76,550
We’re seeking Power System Operators who thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment to support the reliable, real-time operation of a dynamic bulk electric system. Operators play a critical role in managing grid reliability, customer coordination, and ensuring compliance with the SPP Transmission Tariff and ancillary services markets. This position requires strong analytical thinking, sound judgment under pressure, and a commitment to continuous learning. Operators rotate through several desks with distinct but interconnected responsibilities: RTBM, WEIS and Balancing. Operators are required to work a rotating shift and this adds to the inherent stress/fatigue associated with operating a dynamic power system.
Key Responsibilities
RTBM Desk:
- Manage and process transmission service requests using webTrans and webOASIS tools
- Coordinate implementation of schedules on behalf of the SPP Balancing Authority
- Monitor AFC calculations and override values as necessary
- Perform RTBM case setup and approval every 5 minutes to maintain proper regulation
- Review generation dispatch, load forecasts, and product clearing
- Monitor interchange schedule accuracy and verify Market System NSI vs. EMS NSI
- Support Market Participants with resource plan changes
- Verify unit trips and coordinate with BC Operator for reserve sharing
- Confirm real-time outages in CROW
- Identify minimum generation situations in collaboration with the Balancing Desk
- Execute RTBM case setup and approval every 5 minutes
- Monitor dispatch, load forecasts, and NSI validation
- Address Market System issues and initiate holds when necessary
- Support Market Participants and validate real-time outages
- Monitor minimum generation issues with member BAs
- Monitor and maintain SPP Area Control Error (ACE)
- Oversee tie-line and generation SCADA data, adjust as needed
- Verify hourly tie-line metering
- Manage real-time regulation deployment and time error corrections
- Perform emergency actions per NERC and regional protocols
- Conduct intraday Reliability Unit Commitment studies
- Maintain the Current Operating Plan and monitor real-time reserves
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Operator I -Two (2) years’ of job related experience; NERC Certification may be considered toward relevant years of experience
- Operator II - 3 years of job-related experience
- (A bachelor’s degree and/or time spent while in a responsible position on one or more of the SPP Operations desks is advantageous and may be considered for a portion of the minimum experience requirement)
- NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification, or the ability to secure such certification within three months of employment
- Ability to work a rotating shift schedule
- Good communication skills
- Motivation to take appropriate action when required
- Ability to make decisions with limited supervision
- Ability to be a mentor to the younger operators
- Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
- Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
- Understanding of, compliance with NERC Policies
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, such as electrical engineering
- Knowledge of SPP Criteria, SPP OATT, and Market Protocols, NERC Operating Policies, scheduling practices and pro forma tariff procedures widely practiced in the industry
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Travel Requirement
This position requires minimal travel (approximately 5%)
SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.
Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.
Salary : $62,500 - $76,550
