What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead System Operator position at Wind Energy Transmission Texas?
The Lead System Operator’s responsibilities include that of the Sr. System Operator with the additional responsibilities of assisting in the oversight of day-to-day control room operations and activities, to lead or assist in various System Operations projects, and provide consultation as a subject matter expert to the System Operations team as needed. This position will be located in Austin, TX, and will report to the System Operations Supervisor.
DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Monitor and operate the WETT transmission facilities within System Operating Limits (SOL) and to a high degree of safety for personnel and protection for all assets .
• Accountable for the safe, reliable and compliant operation of the Bulk Electric System.
• Responsible for continual decision-making to ensure that the transmission system is operated consistent with NERC Reliability Standards.
• Manage and communicate the outage of transmission assets while minimizing the disruption of generation or power flow and maintaining compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Direct transmission and interconnection assets while maintaining compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Maintain NERC System Operator certification, Transmission Operator minimum.
• Operate the SCADA/EMS Control system(s) to ensure compliance with its contractual and ERCOT/TRE/ Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) obligations.
• Responsible for all switching performed for operations and safety of maintenance personnel.
• Responsible for the restoration of the power system after a disturbance and/or the protective device operations in a timely manner.
• Implement and ensure adherence to Safety Standards during high-voltage switching and maintenance operations.
• Direct and/or perform high-voltage switching operations during normal and disturbance conditions.
• Produce and issue written clearance order procedures for the safe and orderly elimination of high-voltage hazards for maintenance personnel while maintaining equipment safety and integrity.
• Provide direction to maintenance and operating personnel during instances of abnormal system conditions and/or system alarms to troubleshoot any issues.
• Monitor and maintain power systems within normal operating parameters to prevent disturbances.
• Accumulate and analyze operating data to be utilized in periodic regional and national reports.
• Coordinate, communicate, and cooperate with interconnected Utilities and ERCOT to maintain the stability and integrity of the interconnected power grid.
• Fill all requirements and responsibilities of a Transmission Operator as per the NERC Standards according to the NERC and ERCOT registration(s).
• Responsible for coordinating outages of transmission and interconnection assets with ERCOT and surrounding utilities to support maintenance and construction activities while maintaining stable, reliable, and safe operation of power system assets.
• In conjunction with the System Operations Supervisor, provide additional oversight for daily control room operations and activities.
• Assist the System Operations Supervisor by providing support for various projects and initiatives including the implementation of iTOA.
• Assist in the training of System Operators with new software including iTOA as needed.
• Provide after-hours assistance to answer questions or provide consultation to System Operators as needed.
• Serve as a subject matter expert as needed to other internal and external work groups.
• Assist the System Operations Supervisor with the scheduling of System Operator time off and the coverage of shifts.
• Attend additional team building, training and leadership workshops and activities as needed.
• Fill in for the System Operations Supervisor as needed.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
o High school diploma is required.
Skills and Experience:
o Minimum 10 years work experience in transmission system operations is required.
o Experience writing and reviewing switching orders.
o Experience with outage coordination
Certificates & Licenses:
o NERC Transmission Operator (TO) or Reliability Coordinator (RC) certification required.
o OSHA 10 and/or 30 may be required in the future and encouraged for advancement.
Computer Skills:
o Ability to use and quickly comprehend computer-based systems utilized for content management, data entry, data tracking, and work processes.
o Ability to create presentations, charts, tables, and graphs for data illustration.
o Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook).
o Experience with utilizing various ERCOT tools such as outage scheduling and Grid Geo.
o Integrated Tools for Operations Applications (iTOA)
o Aspen Tech OSI monarch SCADA
Competencies:
o Strong communication across all level of the organization and across departments
o Organization of information, assigned tasks, communications, and data.
o Documentation and tracking of critical information.
o Time management.
o Leadership and people management.
JOB PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES
Job progression opportunities include training and preparing the candidate to take on the role of System Operations Supervisor and or Shift Supervisor if and when that position becomes available.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Majority of work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to work a DuPont style rotating shift schedule consisting of night and day 12-hour shifts. Must have the ability to lift and carry small parcels, packages, and other items, walk short distances, climb stairs, and remain sedentary for extended periods of time.
Other Physical Requirements: during field visits to Big Spring, TX, candidate must be able to wear steel-toed boots, protective eyewear, high visibility vest, and hearing protection.. Ability to drive and travel by car for long periods of time is required. Some field visits to Big Spring, TX will be required. On average, the lead system operator will be required to travel to big spring 1-2 times annually.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in WETT’s Primary or Back Up control rooms located in Austin and Dripping Springs, respectively. Noise level is usually quiet but can be moderate in other situations. Conditions may vary when making field visits to Big Spring. See physical requirements above.
