Power System Operator/Dispatcher

About the role

Connect to a career at City Utilities! CU has been connecting our community to the services they need for every day life since 1945. From electricity to power our lives, clean water to be healthy, natural gas to stay warm, internet to keep businesses connected, to transit services to get them where they need to go.

Pay Details

• Salary Grade 59: Minimum: $96,257.05/ year
• Midpoint: $120,320.89
• Maximum: $144,384.74
• Work Schedule: Rotating 12--hour Shifts

About the role

To help make your transition as smooth as possible, City Utilities may offer relocation assistance to candidates joining us from outside the Springfield metropolitan area and/or a key recruitment allowance depending on individual circumstances and final offer details.

Purpose of Position

Under the direction of Manager-Power System Operations or designee, controls generation and monitors tie line flow to meet Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Integrated Marketplace demands. Monitors status of City Utilities' transmission and distribution systems and performs switching functions to ensure safety and provide continuous service.

Essential Job Functions

• Learns and follows North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. Must possess and retain NERC Operator Certification at a minimum Balancing, Interchange and Transmission (BIT) Operator level.
• Takes responsibility and authority to operate City Utilities' electric system in a safe and reliable manner, in accordance with NERC reliability standards. This authority includes directing City Utilities' personnel to take actions to protect the integrity of the bulk electric system.
• Learns and follows City Utilities' Standards of Conduct concerning treatment of transmission operating information.
• Operates the Energy Management System (EMS) to include functions such as: Inputting data, performing operational functions to maintain reliability of the bulk electric system, restoring power during disturbances or outages, mitigating equipment overloads, and maintaining bulk power system voltage at adequate levels. Monitoring and reporting changes or inconsistencies in system operational diagrams, maps, system alarm registers, and other pertinent operating information.
• Observes load and voltage and implementing operational decisions to ensure adequate supply and distribution of electricity to meet power demands. Contacting power generating stations to adjust outputs according to internal load and bulk power system needs and/or conditions.
• Monitors SPP Integrated Marketplace market interface for unit commitment Start/Stop notices, Automatic Generation Control modes, and notifies power stations of status changes in a timely manner.
• Monitors and controls power transfers with the interconnected balancing authority areas to ensure compliance with NERC reliability standards during normal and emergency operations.
• Ensures generators are loaded in accordance with economic dispatching principles to produce power at minimum cost, consistent with operational constraints.
• Keeps constantly informed via situational awareness tools of the conditions throughout the power system. Records on daily log sheets and through the Energy Management System power system conditions, readings, and status. Ensures hourly electronic transmittal to SPP and interconnected utility partners. Preparing monthly operational reports. Keeping other necessary records.
• Coordinates connection/disconnection of generating units with applicable power station personnel and with the Reliability Coordinator (SPP). Communicating with field personnel and maintaining action logs for hot line hold and clearance logs.
• Reports known and suspected problems with energy management systems to proper support staff and cyber security personnel.
• Controls and monitors all high voltage switching to include the removal from service and restoration to service of lines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance. Responsibility includes reporting all transmission outages for all bulk electric system facilities to the SPP Reliability Coordinator.
• Takes trouble calls and coordinates corrective action with field personnel during off-hours for the electric system.
• Takes all prudent action to restore service in a timely manner following outages and to minimize the effect of emergencies. Ensures, on a real-time basis, that the system is operated safely. Ensures all switching procedures are implemented per plan to ensure safety of the public and City Utilities' crews and maintain power system integrity.
• Initiates appropriate emergency procedures, when directed or when necessary, based upon own judgment. Initiates Backup Control Center operation when conditions warrant. Notifies appropriate duty personnel when additional assistance is needed.
• Maintains awareness of cybersecurity policies, standards, and requirements. Completes routine internal cybersecurity training.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned by management.

Education and Experience

High school graduate or equivalent is required. A bachelor's degree in an applicable technical or business field is required. At least two years of college or vocational/technical courses in electricity/electric power systems with exceptional experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Computer operating familiarity is essential. Two years of progressively responsible experience in power generation or transmission or distribution operation is required. Successful completion of the Power System Operator/Dispatcher training program within one year of employment is required.

Nerc

System Operator Certification at the minimum Balancing, Interchange and Transmission Operator (BIT) level is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of:
• The problems and practices of controlling generation to match load, operate power stations, and maintain and operate transmission and distribution systems.
• Generator operating characteristics.
• Ability to:
• Work well with numbers.
• Identify, analyze, and solve system malfunction problems and communicate the solution.
• Work courteously with customers, co-workers, interconnected utility partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide exceptional customer service to coworkers and customers across phone, in-person, and other communication channels.
• Make sound judgments in stressful situations and work well under pressure.
• Effectively utilize a range of digital tools and platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, enterprise software, artificial intelligence-enhanced applications, and self-service systems. Must possess a willingness and capacity to learn and adapt to emerging technologies, including mobile devices, cloud-based systems, and data-driven platforms relevant to utility operations.
• Willing to:
• Accept responsibility for making prudent and prompt decisions and taking corrective action.
• Work rotating 12-hour shifts that will/can include nights, weekends, and holiday periods.
• Maintain awareness of cybersecurity and threats.
• Familiar with NERC Reliability Standards.
• Maintain adherence to all company policies.

Physical Requirements

• Typically, sedentary work.
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Must be able to pass the Ishihara color vision test and/or be able to visually differentiate and identify colors on computer monitor.
• Substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, and close visual acuity to operate a computer is required.
• Must be able to differentiate the colors red and green on a computer monitor in order to detect energized and de-energized equipment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a control room with office environment conditions. During emergencies, there can be substantial noise from various alarm devices, radio transmissions, and telephone calls.

Miscellaneous Requirements

• Shift work is required.
• Must be able to work successfully with diverse groups of people.
• Must be able to pass a NERC background check.
• Employees must remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and maintain the ability to respond to changing circumstances in a timely manner.

Testing

Testing may be required.