System Operator

Position Purpose and Objectives:

Performs electrical system operations, radio, telephone, and email dispatching to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity to members, businesses and industry during normal and emergency situations. Time is spent carefully monitoring the system conditions in order to anticipate and mitigate potentially dangerous and costly system problems or if system disturbances do occur, it is the system operator's job to quickly respond and restore the power grid to safe operating conditions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Monitors the electrical system power flows, automations, power quality and any system anomalies. Safely operates the SCADA software: opening and closing of a breaker/recloser, initiating and removing hot line order/1-shot, monitoring amperage, monitoring system line loading and voltage conditions. Monitors and ensures the stability and reliability of multiple areas, coordinates tasks with multiple entities, and maintains reliability over such areas.
• Analyzes and monitors major outages and other system events on the Outage Management System (OMS) software as outages occur. Coordinates field personnel for line repair and efficient service restoration to United Power members using the two-way radio, telephone and/or email. Legibly records all events and transactions in OMS regarding each outage ticket and in the appropriate logbook. Reviews outage tickets for accurate fuse size, service locations, grid locations, and restoration times for CAIDI, SAIDI, and SAIFI calculations.
• Coordinates communication with internal staff regarding feeder or substation outages.
• Updates and maintains all electric system operations data, ensuring accuracy. This includes real-time status of the configuration of the system, outage status, and other processes that are required for efficient operations. Required data will also include that in which will be used for historical purposes to analyze the system for possible reliability improvements, new construction, maintenance and repairs to be done, or to answer inquiries from members.
• Updates GIS mapping systems providing fuse sizes, switch status from switch orders, confirms feed flows and makes necessary corrections, updates equipment information from crews and troubleshooters and device lists to assist field personnel in identifying the location and status of field equipment and lines. Reviews PDF drawings to ensure GIS mapping updates are completed.
• Provides contractor, trouble shooter and crew guidance as it relates to troubleshooting, isolation, restoration and fault location via the two-way radio, telephone and/or email.
• Creates switching orders, as requested. Submits written switching orders to appropriate Operations and or Engineering personnel for approval. Monitors the execution of approved switching orders, issues and revokes clearances, records appropriate times and updates GIS mapping systems upon completion.
• Monitors United Power facilities security cameras and alarm console, allowing access to buildings to only United Power personnel or approved contractors. Records all nonelectronic entries into appropriate logbooks. Reports any security concerns to appropriate management personnel.
• Reports to work for outages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when called.
• Creates, expands, and maintains professional and productive working relationships with peers and stakeholders. Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation in the workplace.
• Perform other duties as may be requested or assigned to meet the needs of United Power in the interest of good management practices.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have a good working knowledge of an electrical distribution system.
• Must be able to work well with the general public and fellow employees under the occasionally stressful conditions of outages and changing work environment.
• Must demonstrate a willingness to learn new procedures and techniques. Must have experience using telephone equipment, radio dispatching, and email.
• Must demonstrate ability to learn terminology unique to electrical system operation.
• Must have ability to understand and maintain service area using maps.
• Must be able to understand basic operations of the electrical system.
• Must be able to react to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead in a team environment.
• Must have good telephone etiquette, excellent grammar, and PC skills including MS Office.
• Must maintain a personal telephone during the entire time of employment for notification of changes in work hours.
• Must be able to work alternating shifts.

Education, Training and Experience:

High School diploma or GED plus three years experience in an electric utility environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certificate of completion of an accredited System Operations program, or the ability to complete the Northwest Lineman College System Operations program within four years of hire.

Desired Experience:

Certification of completion of an approved 4-year line workers electrical apprentice journeyman program. Bachelors degree in related field.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives general guidance and direction from System Operations Supervisor. May mentor newly hired Systems Operators.

Problem Solving:

Provides solutions to a variety of project related problems of moderate scope and complexity.

Discretion/Latitude:

Works under general supervision. Follows established procedures. Work is reviewed for soundness of project related judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy.

Impact:

Contributes to completion of milestones associated with specific projects. Failure to achieve results or erroneous decisions or recommendations may cause delays in project schedules and may results in allocation of additional resources.

Liaison:

Works with both internal and external member contacts to provide solutions to complex technical issues associated with systems operations.

Essential Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Sixty percent (60%) of the time is spent sitting, twenty percent (20%) standing, and another twenty percent (20%) walking.
• Must be able to lift and carry approximately 15 lbs. when handling files and books.
• Must be able to push and pull 40 lbs. when moving equipment.
• Operating controls is done constantly while sitting and occasionally while standing or walking.
• Stooping, kneeling, and crouching are necessary when filing. Reaching is done frequently while filing, answering phones, or radio dispatching.
• The ability to feel with fingers to operate computer keyboard is necessary.
• Talking clearly and accurately is an important part of the job and is done on a constant basis.
• Listening or hearing ordinary conversation, telephone ringing, radio transmissions, and alarm systems is vital to the job.
• Must be able to see near constantly with the computer screen, switchboard, SCADA, etc. Must be able to see far for other occasions. Color vision is necessary for SCADA.
• Mental abilities necessary to competently perform the job are: alertness, precision, problem solving, persuasiveness, auditory discrimination, tactile discrimination, speaking ability, memory, concentration, judgment, writing ability, reasoning, initiative, patience, and visual discrimination, as well as analytic ability, and spatial perception.

Working Conditions:

This job is performed inside an office building at normal room temperature ranges. The work area is positioned away from others for minimal interruptions and distractions. The room has no windows, two doors, and minimal ventilation.

The working hours will be on rotating 8-12 hour shifts, 7 days of the week.

Department : System Operations FLSA Status : Non-exempt Grade : 20 Updated : March 2023

Typical Hiring Range:

Pay Grade 20: $51.443 - $60.435 hourly

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes an employee retirement plan, 401K with match, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. For a full list of benefits, please visit our careers page at