Balancing Area System Operator
Phoenix, AZ, US
Requisition ID: 16440
Join us in building a better future for Arizona!
SRP is one of the largest public power and water utilities in the U.S. providing electricity to approximately one million customers in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area. Since its founding in 1903, SRP has fostered a culture of stewardship and customer service consistently ranking as an industry leader in customer service according to J.D. Power and named one of Arizona's best employers by Forbes. SRP continues to adapt to its changing business environment by seeking innovative ways to reimagine utility service and the provision of critical resources essential to the life and economy of Arizona.
Why Work at SRP
SRP's success is rooted in our employees' happiness, health, and safety. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and enhance their well-being. In addition to competitive pay and performance incentives, eligible employees can take advantage of the following benefits:
- Pension Plan (at no cost to the employee)
- 401(k) plan with employer matching
- Available your first day: Medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
- Over 200+ hours of PTO (includes vacation days, holidays, floating holidays, and sick leave)
- Parental leave (up to 4 weeks) and adoption assistance
- Wellness programs (including access to a recreation and fitness facility)
- Short and long-term disability plans
- Tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate programs
- 10 Employee Resource Groups for career development, community service, and networking
Summary
This specific position is for an AGC Dispatcher or System Operator (Balancing Area Operator) in Grid Operations Support, performing various day-to-day tasks in support of SRP’s Balancing Area and Market Operations. This position does include covering an AGC operating position (Balancing Area Operator) for short durations as the need arises and exercises control of SRP generation resources. Duties are characterized by the highly specialized nature of equipment use to control the power system such as the energy management system, internet-based communications systems, and PC based software systems. The System Operator is responsible for evaluation and approval/disapproval of generation planned outage schedules. The System Operator is responsible for resolving day-to-day issues between other systems control operations centers of the Western Interconnection.
What You'll Do
• Represent TGO on EMS emergent and ongoing needs
• Development and maintenance of situational awareness tools
• Provide subject matter expertise for event Root Cause Analysis
• Support TGO Training needs and emergent training needs by developing, instructing, and administering training as assigned
• Support integration of new generation and transmission resources
• Support TGO reporting needs including WECC, RC, and others
• Provide project management support for TGO initiatives
• Provide operational perspective to key stakeholders on expansion plans, capital budgets, construction and maintenance
• Develop, enhance, review and approve operating practices and procedures
• Has full responsibility and authority to take any action necessary to ensure reliable system operation and compliance with NERC operating standards
• Directs system operation in accordance with established NERC-WECC standards and SRP operating procedures
• Implements and modifies the current day gen. unit commitment plan
• Coordinates real time maintenance outages on generations, transmission, sub transmission, system communication equipment and system control equipment
• Serves as representative of SRP with interconnected companies involving real-time operating issues
• Collects, logs and records power system data, prepares operating reports and historical records
• Works with other SRP departments to insure an efficient, cooperative maintenance and construction program
• Represents SRP regarding WECC reliability coordinator task and issues
• Ability to accurately perform duties despite frequent interruptions by phone calls, alarms and employee requests
• Support TGO dispatcher training curriculum as subject matter expert by writing and presenting training modules
• Multi-task in any two of the AGC, PDO, outage scheduling of the transmission scheduling functions
• Serve as a project manager for TGO special assignment
What It Takes To Succeed
A minimum of 5 years of experience as an independent, fully qualified, Transmission Operator OR Balancing Area Operator is required for the System Operator level of this job family.
A minimum of 4 years of experience as an independent, fully qualified, Transmission Operator OR Balancing Area Operator is required for the Sr. Dispatcher level of this job family.
Promotion to Dispatcher 2 requires a minimum of two years' experience as a Dispatcher 1.
Additional Information
High school diploma or G.E.D. plus completion of formal apprenticeship such as lineman, electrician, or generation control room operator OR 4 year Bachelor of Science/Business degree. Must possess detailed knowledge of SRP transmission, sub transmission, and generation resources. Must possess knowledge of TGO control room grid control systems. Must possess knowledge of power contracts with other energy wholesale entities. Must possess knowledge of relay systems, control systems of generating plants, and transmission system elements.
NERC system operator certification is required. This certification is required for all system operators to be compliant with NERC/WECC reliability standards.
The TGO systems operator is subject to FERC and SRP "Codes of Conduct" and must comply with its confidentiality provisions. These documents define the relationships between SRP system operation's employees, SRP energy merchant employees, and other market entities. Must have exceptional customer service skills; deals directly with SRP's transmission customers and entities providing electric services to SRP's distribution customers. Have a direct impact on SRP's transmission sales revenue, ancillary svc revenue and SRP's goal of providing IT retail customers the ability to choose their electric energy supplier. Must have superior working knowledge of the SRP electric sub transmission system, interconnected transmission system/supply, and all information etc.
Hybrid Workplace
SRP currently offers a hybrid workplace, which allows employees whose jobs can be performed remotely, and who have sufficient technical capability, to telework up to three days per week. Although teleworking is available, all employees must live and work in Arizona. We are taking steps to protect the health and well-being of all team members, and by following a number of health and safety protocols, to reduce the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Drug/Alcohol Policy Statement
To promote the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve, SRP is committed to maintaining a drug/alcohol free work environment. Although marijuana may now be legal in Arizona, except as otherwise specified under Arizona law, SRP considers it to be an illegal drug for the purpose of our drug/alcohol policy because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Any candidate found to be impaired during the hiring process or who has the presence of an illegal drug or unauthorized substance in their system during the pre-employment drug/alcohol test may be disqualified from further consideration in the hiring process.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Salt River Project (SRP) recognizes diversity and inclusion as key drivers of innovation and growth, and seeks to attract a diverse employee base that reflects our community. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status or any other protected status under applicable federal, state or local law. Ultimately, SRP aspires to fully apply the power of diversity and inclusion to build a more equitable and sustainable future for our customers, employees and community.
Work Authorization
All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Currently, SRP does not sponsor H1B visas.
Nearest Major Market: Phoenix