Power Systems Operator

About the role: This position is responsible for operating Eagle Creek hydropower generation and transmission facilities continuously 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to a safe, reliable, and economical power generation schedule. The Power System Operator ensures operation of assets adhere to regional, NERC, and FERC compliance standards consistent with best utility practice. This position reports to the Eagle Creek Chief Power System Operator and takes direction from the Eagle Creek Lead Operator.

Why Eagle Creek?

• A comprehensive benefits plan: Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Commuter benefits, Voluntary Life, 401(k) match.
• Eleven paid holidays per year, plus a competitive PTO schedule and time off to volunteer or give back to your community.
• Access to a company-funded Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee discounts through ADP LifeMart.
• Tuition Reimbursement as well as access to trainings & mentors for Career Progression and Personal Development.

What you’ll do:

• Support and sustain reliable and compliant operation of the Eagle Creek power systems.
• Responsible for operating Eagle Creek transmission and generation systems in a manner that ensures a supply of reliable power. Maintain interconnected power system interchange integrity with a high degree of safety for maintenance and production personnel and the generating, transmission, and distribution equipment.
• Responsible and accountable for operating the generation and transmission assets of multiple independent power systems within the federally mandated NERC Reliability standards and various FERC hydropower project licenses.
• Manage water assets and power generation schedules to optimize revenue from sales opportunities while maintaining compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.
• Operate and maintain the interconnected power system interchange integrity with a high degree of safety for maintenance and production personnel, generating, transmission, and distribution equipment.

Major activities/Key Challenges:

• Responsible for operating both federally regulated and unregulated transmission and generation facilities
• Must be PJM Generator Operator and NERC RC System Operator certified (or possess the ability to gain this certification within six months of employment). This certification holds the operator responsible and accountable for the safe, reliable and compliant operation of the Bulk Electric System.
• Responsible for daily/hourly decision-making, to ensure compliance and maximize value of generation. Reviews energy schedules and ensures that transmission systems are operated consistent with NERC Reliability Standards. Provides critical ‘in the moment’ information to Energy Trading to maximize generation value.
• Authorized and responsible for taking whatever steps are necessary to mitigate problems on the system, including the shedding of firm load, without direction from management or other personnel. Up to 75% of the time System Operators on duty are without any supervision or other employees on site.
• Responsible for maintaining PJM and NERC System Operator certification which includes annual training requirements and continuous training and updates on the changing Federal Energy Regulatory Policy (FERC), NERC and PJM Standards.
• Responsible for operating OATI OASIS to ensure compliance with its contractual and FERC Open Access Transmission Tariff obligations.
• Receives and reviews all facility Interchange Transaction Schedules, ensuring that transaction path reservation identification numbers, stated hours of transactions, loading limits on transmission paths, and stated megawatt values are accurate, and then approves, denies, or adjusts the transaction accordingly.
• Confirms Interchange Schedules with other utilities and approves the validity of these schedules on an hourly basis.
• 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. Has the authority and responsibility to direct all personnel in the field during system restoration emergencies to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operation of the system to protect personnel and company assets.
• Implements and ensures adherence to Eagle Creek safety standards during high-voltage switching and maintenance operations.
• Directs and/or performs high-voltage switching operations during normal and disturbance conditions.
• Produces and issues written clearance order procedures for the safe and orderly elimination of high-voltage hazards for maintenance personnel while maintaining equipment safety and integrity.
• Provides troubleshooting direction to maintenance and operating personnel during instances of abnormal system conditions and/or system alarms.
• Monitors and maintains Eagle Creek power systems within normal operating parameters to prevent disturbances.
• Accumulates and analyzes Eagle Creek operating data to be utilized in periodic regional and national reports, which demonstrates adherence to required Control Performance Standards and system operating compliance.
• Activates and directs the required FERC Emergency Action Plan for possible or imminent dam failure, as well as participates in EAP simulations.
• Maintains reservoirs at acceptable levels during periods of heavy rainfall or flooding by following mandated floodwater release policies.
• Operates and maintains reservoirs in accordance with various and seasonal FERC project license requirements.
• Coordinates, communicates, and cooperates with interconnected utilities to maintain the stability and integrity of the interconnected power grid.
• Takes prompt action in emergency situations to maintain the interconnection through communications with the Regional Reliability Coordinator and adjoining utilities during Transmission Loading Relief (TLR) and other emergency situations.
• Fills the function of Balancing Authority (BA), Transmission Operator (TOP), and Generator Operator (GOP) for one or more independent Bulk Electric Systems. Utility industry standard staffs each of these positions independent of the other on a single power system.

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to perform manual tasks including but not limited to:
  • Read and identify labels, gauges, dials, and indicators typically encountered in performing job duties.
  • The ability to distinguish between colors.
• Possess clear and effective verbal communication in all circumstances, including emergency situations and giving/receiving instructions over a radio.