Job Title:  Transmission System Operator

JOB INFORMATION

Job Title: System Operator Senior or System Operator Staff

Job Code: 126859

Pay Grade: 57 or 58

JOB SUMMARY

Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities, Women, Individuals with DisABILITIES & Veterans Encouraged to apply.

We are hiring for either a Senior System Operator or Staff System Operator based on candidates' qualifications. 

Responsible for the safe, reliable, stable, and economic round-the-clock operation of OG&E's electric transmission system as well as maintaining compliance with the various regulatory obligations imposed upon this role by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). Has the responsibility and authority to implement real-time actions to ensure the stability of power.

LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY

Complex responsibilities related to primary focus of job area. Uses best practices and in-depth business knowledge to solve complex problems and improve products or services. May adapt procedures, processes and techniques to meet the more complex requirements of position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in continuous process improvement projects.

• May serve as interviewee for compliance audits.

• Proactively takes steps to enhance the operation of the center (e.g., identify and resolve potential deficiencies in the control center and back up control center).

• Leads Backup Center activation drills.

• Actively provides mentoring to Transmission Operators.

• Ensures the reliability of the Bulk Electric System within OG&E’s service territory by monitoring and controlling system parameters such as line flows and transmission-level voltage within prescribed limits; Acts promptly to return the system to a stable state when voltage and/or System Operating Limit (SOL) excursions occur.

• Maintains real-time compliance with reliability standards set by regulatory authorities.

• Monitors and controls transmission system parameters including system alarms, load, voltage, VAR flow, line flows, transformer flows, tap positions and maintains acceptable voltage profiles in accordance with established NERC reliability standards and OG&E policies and procedures.

• Leads or assists in transmission system troubleshooting.

• Determines trouble location and analyzes cause, routes trouble report to appropriate unit for corrective action and advises all those affected of corrective actions.

• Writes, reviews, evaluates, coordinates and directs all switching operations to safely and reliably take transmission facilities out of service. Safely and reliably returns facilities back to service.

• Directs immediate actions by transmission operators, generator operators, load-serving entities and distribution operators to preserve the integrity and reliability of the Bulk Electric System.

• Directs transmission switching, load shedding and generator loading to meet NERC Operating policy requirements under normal and emergency conditions.

• Acts as the Operating Authority for the OG&E transmission system and takes corrective action(s) as directed by the SPP Reliability Coordinator.

• Performs system contingency analysis for transmission system at regular intervals during shift to identify situations that result in line or transformer overloads or abnormal voltages.

• Initiates OG&E Blackstart and System Restoration procedures if called upon.

• Maintains accurate System Operator Log entries.

• Provides backup coverage for next-level supervision under normal and emergency conditions.

• All other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• May be required to work non-standard work schedules to include on-call and call-outs.

• Requires working in a rotating shift environment.

• May require occasional travel.

SPECIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• This position is classified as a Safety-Sensitive Job under state law. Individuals in this position are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in OGE Energy Corp.’s Drug Testing Plan.

• All positions in which driving is an essential function of the job, regardless if the job code is marked safety sensitive or not, will also be included as safety sensitive. Individuals in positions in which driving is an essential function are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in OGE Energy Corp.’s Drug Testing Plan.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAS)

• Advanced knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) criteria and requirements.

• Demonstrated leadership while continually improving technical abilities to enhance Operator team results.

• Demonstrated ability to apply depth of knowledge and impact directional decisions about how to effectively ensure system reliability.

• Advanced technical knowledge of voltage control, protective relaying and control center emergency operation conditions.

• Advanced knowledge of the generation/interconnected transmission system operation, and ability to transfer knowledge into execution of real time load flow studies and contingency analysis.

• Excellent personal computer skills with advanced knowledge of general and/or specialized applications.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to handle stress and work efficiently during emergency and heavy workload conditions, and handle several tasks simultaneously.

• Demonstrated problem solving skills and strong ability to troubleshoot and prioritize responsibilities.

• Strong knowledge of relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Strong knowledge of safety and electrical hazards and ability to communicate safety and electrical hazards in order to ensure safe operation of the OG&E transmission system.

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and perform duties without direct supervision.

• Ability to maintain all required certifications.

• Ability to work rotating shifts.

REQUIREMENTS

Senior Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED and 5 years Transmission Operator/System Operator work experience and completion of OG&E System Operator training within 9 months of start in position; Or

• High School Diploma/GED and 5 years Regional Transmission Organization work experience within a directly related role (e.g., Reliability Coordinator, Real Time Balancing Reliability Unit Commitment Operator) and completion of OG&E System Operator training within 9 months of start in position; Or

• High School Diploma/GED and 7 years combined experience in a Transmission Control Center and Distribution Control Center or Regional Transmission Organization work experience within a directly related role (e.g., Distribution Control Center Operator, Reliability Coordinator or Real Time Balancing Reliability Unit Commitment Operator) and completion of OG&E System Operator training within 9 months of start in position; Or

• High School Diploma/GED and 2 years OG&E System Operator Staff work experience.

Staff Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related technical field (e.g., Electronics, Electrical, Power Technology, Engineering Technology), and 2 years related utility technical work experience in Substation Operations (Relay, Maintenance, etc.), Distribution and/or Transmission Control Center Operations (e.g., Control Center Operator, Control Center Dispatcher), or Power Plant Operations (e.g., Power Plant Operator III or higher); Or

• Associate's Degree in Applied Science (e.g., Electronics, Electrical, Power Technology, Engineering Tech), combined with related utility experience to include 1 year technical Journey level experience in Substation Operations (Relay, Maintenance etc.); Or

• Associate's Degree in Applied Science (e.g., Electronics, Electrical, Power Technology, Engineering Tech) and 5 years’ experience in Distribution and/or Transmission Control Center Operations (e.g., Control Center Operator, Control Center Dispatcher); Or

• High School Diploma/GED combined with three 3 years Journey level experience in Substation Operations (Relay, Maintenance, etc.), or 7 years experience in Distribution and/or Transmission Control Center Operations (e.g., Control Center Operator, Control Ctr Dispatcher); OR

• High School Diploma/GED combined with 5 years Power Plant Senior Operator experience with at least 1 year of Control Room Power Plant Operator experience; Or

• Minimum 6 months experience as an OGE System Operator Associate II combined with successful completion of an Associate System Operator II Qualification Review Board examination.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• NERC System Operator Certification (TO or higher level) (Required)

• Valid Driver's License (Required)

HEALTH AND SAFETY (MEDICAL/DOT REQUIREMENTS)

• Pre-Employment Drug Screen

• Safety Sensitive

SALARY RANGE

$85,488 - $125,216