ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR (DOQ)

Position Title ENERGY SYSTEM OPERATOR (DOQ)

Position Number 202501

FLSA Status Non-Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Salary $28.12 - $50.63 Hourly, Depending on Qualifications

Job Summary

Under supervision, performs skilled and technical work in the operation of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) Bulk Electric System (BES) for the delivery of electricity from BPUB’s generation resources to the transmission and distribution systems.

ResponsibilitiesAPPRENTICE: Performs the above duties and responsibilities only with proper training and under the immediate supervision of a NERC certified Energy System Operator. With training, operates the BPUB BES system in compliance with standard utility practices, BPUB procedures & department guides, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Guides & Protocols, and North America Electric Reliability Corporations (NERC) Standards. With training, operates the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system in the real time operation of the electrical system, when in training. Monitors the Transmission and Distribution system to ensure that equipment is within operational limits. Reports limit violations to appropriate personnel and takes action to bring equipment within limits to prevent overloads, damage to equipment, and to safeguard the public. Monitors BPUB System Frequency and voltage in order to mitigate operating emergencies (up to customer load shed), to avoid uncontrollable failure of components or cascading outages of the interconnection. Coordinates outages with BPUB personnel, ERCOT and adjacent Local Control Centers LCC’s, before entering outages into the ERCOT outage portal for approval. Creates switching orders, and coordinates with personnel involved or affected by the switching. Requests emergency line patrols, inspection of faulty power equipment and emergency assignment of technician to unmanned stations. Utilizes weather resources and historical loads to create an hour by hour forecast of energy required to meet the needs of all BPUB customers; makes adjustments to Load forecast as needed. Gathers unit availability and unit cost from BPUB’s resources (Silas Ray, Oklaunion, Sendero and Hidalgo) and reports them to BPUB’s Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE). Works with BPUB’s QSE to schedule generation and purchases to meet BPUB’s load forecast; works with QSE to sell any excess energy into the market. Calculates gas required, orders gas from gas supplier and sets up transportation for gas in order to run Silas Ray generation as scheduled by QSE. Assists with the Energy Control Center’s (ECC) NERC Compliance Responsibilities. Performs dispatcher related duties, such as answering customer calls, addressing customer inquiries, creating service requests and service orders from internal and external customers, dispatching field personnel as needed, and a variety of other clerical and receptionist duties related to the dispatch function. Completes other job duties as assigned

ENERGYSYSTEMOPERATOR: During normal and emergency conditions, the Energy System Operators have the authority and responsibility to take or direct timely and appropriate real time actions. Such actions shall include, but are not limited to, cancelling outages, dispatching real and reactive power resources, shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate system operating limit violations or as needed to maintain the safe and reliable operation of the BES. These actions are performed without obtaining approval from higher level personnel within the BPUB. Provides training and guidance to others. Operates the BPUB BES in compliance with standard utility practices, BPUB procedures & department guides, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Guides & Protocols, and North America Electric Reliability Corporations (NERC) Standards. Operates the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system in the real time operation of the electrical system. Monitors the Transmission and Distribution system to ensure that equipment is within operational limits. Reports limit violations to appropriate personnel and takes action to bring equipment within limits to safeguard the public and to prevent overloads and/or damage to equipment. Monitors BPUB System Frequency and voltage in order to mitigate operating emergencies (including customer load shed) to avoid uncontrollable failure of components or cascading outages of the interconnection. Coordinates outages with BPUB personnel, ERCOT and adjacent Local Control Centers (LCC’s), before entering outages into the ERCOT outage portal for approval. Creates, coordinates and directs switching orders for Transmission, Distribution, Generation outages and load transfers with personnel involved or affected by the switching. Requests emergency line patrols, inspection of faulty power equipment and emergency assignment of technician to unmanned stations. Utilizes weather resources and historical loads to create an hour by hour forecast of energy required to meet the needs of all BPUB customers; makes adjustments to the load forecast as needed. Gathers unit availability and unit cost from BPUB’s resources (Silas Ray, Oklaunion, Sendero and Hidalgo) and reports them to BPUB’s Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE). Works with BPUB’s QSE to schedule generation and purchases to meet BPUB’s load forecast; works with QSE to sell any excess energy into the market. Calculates gas required, orders gas from gas supplier and sets up transportation for gas in order to run Silas Ray generation as scheduled by QSE. Assists with the Energy Control Center’s (ECC) NERC Compliance Responsibilities. Performs dispatcher related duties, such as answering customer calls, addressing customer inquiries, creating service requests and service orders from internal and external customers, dispatching field personnel as needed, and a variety of other clerical and receptionist duties related to the dispatch function. Completes other job duties as assigned.

SENIORENERGYSYSTEMOPERATOR: May provide leadership, supervision, work assignments, training and guidance to less-experienced staff. During normal and emergency conditions, the Senior Energy System Operators have the authority and responsibility to take or direct timely and appropriate real time actions. Such actions shall include, but are not limited to, cancelling outages, dispatching real and reactive power resources, shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate system operating limit violations or as needed to maintain the safe and reliable operation of the BES. These actions are performed without obtaining approval from higher level personnel within the BPUB. Operates the BPUB BES in compliance with standard utility practices, BPUB procedures & department guides, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Guides & Protocols, and North America Electric Reliability Corporations (NERC) Standards. Operates the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system in the real time operation of the electrical system. Monitors the Transmission and Distribution system to ensure that equipment is within operational limits. Reports limit violations to appropriate personnel and takes action to bring equipment within limits to safeguard the public and to prevent overloads and/or damage to equipment. Monitors BPUB System Frequency and voltage in order to mitigate operating emergencies (including customer load shed) to avoid uncontrollable failure of components or cascading outages of the interconnection. Coordinates outages with BPUB personnel, ERCOT and adjacent Local Control Centers (LCC’s), before entering outages into the ERCOT outage portal for approval. Creates, coordinates and directs switching orders for Transmission, Distribution, Generation outages and load transfers with personnel involved or affected by the switching. Requests emergency line patrols, inspection of faulty power equipment and emergency assignment of technician to unmanned stations. Utilizes weather resources and historical loads to create an hour by hour forecast of energy required to meet the needs of all BPUB customers; makes adjustments to the load forecast as needed. Gathers unit availability and unit cost from BPUB’s resources (Silas Ray, Oklaunion, Sendero and Hidalgo) and reports them to BPUB’s Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE). Works with BPUB’s QSE to schedule generation and purchases to meet BPUB’s load forecast; works with QSE to sell any excess energy into the market. Calculates gas required, orders gas from gas supplier and sets up transportation for gas in order to run Silas Ray generation as scheduled by QSE. Assists with the Energy Control Center’s (ECC) NERC Compliance Responsibilities. Performs dispatcher related duties, such as answering customer calls, addressing customer inquiries, creating service requests and service orders from internal and external customers, dispatching field personnel as needed, and a variety of other clerical and receptionist duties related to the dispatch function. Completes other job duties as assigned.

LEADENERGYSYSTEMOPERATOR: Supervises the activities of the Energy Control Center Operations and assigned personnel. During normal and emergency conditions, the Lead Energy System Operators have the authority and responsibility to take or direct timely and appropriate real time actions. Such actions shall include, but are not limited to, cancelling outages, dispatching real and reactive power resources, shedding of firm load to prevent or alleviate system operating limit violations or as needed to maintain the safe and reliable operation of the BES. These actions are performed without obtaining approval from higher level personnel within the BPUB. Operates the BPUB BES in compliance with standard utility practices, BPUB procedures & department guides, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Guides & Protocols, and North America Electric Reliability Corporations (NERC) Standards. Operates the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system in the real time operation of the electrical system. Monitors the Transmission and Distribution system to ensure that equipment is within operational limits. Reports limit violations to appropriate personnel and takes action to bring equipment within limits to safeguard the public and to prevent overloads and/or damage to equipment. Monitors BPUB System Frequency and voltage in order to mitigate operating emergencies (including customer load shed) to avoid uncontrollable failure of components or cascading outages of the interconnection. Coordinates outages with BPUB personnel, ERCOT and adjacent Local Control Centers (LCC’s), before entering outages into the ERCOT outage portal for approval. Creates, coordinates and directs switching orders for Transmission, Distribution, Generation outages and load transfers with personnel involved or affected by the switching. Requests emergency line patrols, inspection of faulty power equipment and emergency assignment of technician to unmanned stations. Utilizes weather resources and historical loads to create an hour by hour forecast of energy required to meet the needs of all BPUB customers; makes adjustments to the load forecast as needed. Gathers unit availability and unit cost from BPUB’s resources (Silas Ray, Oklaunion, Sendero and Hidalgo) and reports them to BPUB’s Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE). Works with BPUB’s QSE to schedule generation and purchases to meet BPUB’s load forecast; works with QSE to sell any excess energy into the market. Calculates gas required, orders gas from gas supplier and sets up transportation for gas in order to run Silas Ray generation as scheduled by QSE. Assists with the Energy Control Center’s (ECC) NERC Compliance Responsibilities. Acts as a Subject Matter Expert for the ECC NERC Compliance Program. Represents BPUB at ERCOT and/or NERC meetings and workshops. Assists in coordinating severe weather drills. Assists in preparing annual Black Start Plan and associated tests. Assists ECC Manager with reports and projects. Performs dispatcher related duties, such as answering customer calls, addressing customer inquiries, creating service requests and service orders from internal and external customers, dispatching field personnel as needed, and a variety of other clerical and receptionist duties related to the dispatch function. Completes other job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of BPUB’s power delivery system and all related policies and procedures. Knowledge of ERCOT Guides and Protocols. Knowledge of NERC Standards and Compliance program. Knowledge of the ERCOT Transmission Operator (TOP) Coordinated Functional Registration (CFR) Joint Registration Organization (JRO) responsibility matrix. Knowledge of all occupational hazards, safety practices and standards in the operation. Knowledge of BPUB ECC Procedures (Black Start, Load Shedding, Emergency Plans, etc.) Knowledge of equipment switching procedures. Knowledge of electrical theory and power production. Knowledge of basic radio codes and dispatch operations. Knowledge of procedures involved in dispatching customer service. Knowledge of basic office procedures. Well-developed communication skills and above average customer service skills. Above average reasoning and mathematical skills. Skill in preparing clear and concise written reports and maintaining records in English. Strong oral and written communication skills in English; Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s current SCADA system. Skill in the effective use of the ERCOT Outage Scheduler. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s trouble call reporting system. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s GIS system including add-ons developed by the GIS department. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s Customer information system. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s telephone and IVR system. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s informational paging system. Skill in the effective use of BPUB’s radio communication system. Skills in performing tasks using Microsoft Office programs. Skill in responding quickly and calmly in emergency situations. Skill in resolving problems or situations requiring the use of good judgment. Skill in the operations of data entry equipment sufficient to perform basic data entry. Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Ability to understand complex, oral and written instruction. Ability to work under indirect supervision and capable of performing accurate work under stressful conditions. Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. Must have a high intellectual and problem-solving ability. Ability to travel (all methods of transportation) for training and meetings as needed. Ability to forecast the total electrical load (MWs) for all BPUB customers as a whole. Ability to distinguish basic colors. Ability to communicate effectively via radio using three-part communication. Ability to remain at work for multiple days during emergency situations. Ability to develop, organize and supervise the work of the personnel directly assigned to the ECC. Ability to perform all BPUB Bulk Electric System (BES) tasks.

Education & Experience Requirements

APPRENTICE: Associate’s degree in an electric, Information Technology, or related field required, plus one (1) year of dispatching, call center or related experience. Two (2) years of experience in Power Production, Electrical Transmission, Electrical Distribution or related field, may substitute for the education requirement.

OPERATOR:Associate’s degree in an electric, Information Technology, or related field, required, plus one (1) year of experience in Energy System Operations. Two (2) years of experience in Power Production, Electrical Transmission, Electrical Distribution or related fields may substitute for the education requirement.

SENIOR: Associate’s degree in an electric, Information Technology, or related field required, plus five (5) years of experience in Energy System Operations. Two (2) years of experience in Power Production, Electrical Transmission, Electrical Distribution or related fields, may substitute for the education requirement.

LEAD: Associate’s degree in an electric, Information Technology, or related field required, plus eight (8) years of experience in Energy System Operations. Two (2) years of experience in Power Production, Electrical Transmission, Electrical Distribution or related fields, may substitute for the education requirement.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Requires a valid Texas Driver License or receipt of a valid Texas Driver’s License within 90 days of relocation to Texas and a safe driving record, as measured by company policy.

APPRENTICE: Employee must pass the NERC certification test within one year from date of employment.

OPERATOR/SENIOR/LEADPOSITIONS: Employee must have a current certification with NERC and ERCOT.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some physical effort may require lifting and carrying of moderately light and/or heavy boxes or objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Time is primarily spent in a control room environment with periods of high stress activity. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time in front of a computer monitor. Work is on a 12- hour shift, rotating weekly, weekends and holidays included. Continuous voice communication via telephone and radio is required. Must be available to travel for training and meetings.

Eligibility for Employment

In addition to any and all other qualifications required for employment stated under the Brownsville P.U.B Personnel Policies and Procedures Policy No. 39:

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S573P

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions Summary