Staff/Senior Transmission System Operator

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

There is one position available, but we can hire at either the Staff or Senior Level

POSITION PURPOSE

Reliably operate PGE’s transmission system, monitor real-time electrical system flows and parameters on PGE’s transmission system, interconnecting transmission systems, and PGE substation distribution equipment. Direct and authorize switching, danger tagging, issuing, and releasing of electrical clearances of PGE electrical equipment. Take actions necessary to protect electrical equipment, system integrity, and public safety. Comply with electric system reliability standards, applicable tariffs and other rules.

Essential Job Responsibilities

- Operate PGE’s transmission system safely, reliably, efficiently, and in accordance with NERC, WECC, FERC, OPUC, DOE, and other applicable government and industry criteria. (20%)

- Monitor power flows, voltages, frequency, and equipment loadings on PGE’s transmission system, interconnecting transmission systems, and PGE substation distribution equipment via SCADA. Take immediate actions to respond to abnormal or emergency conditions including system operating limit violations. (20%)

- Review planned equipment outages and proposed switching sequences scheduled by the Outage Coordinator to ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the electrical system. Direct the switching steps, authorize equipment danger tagging, and issue work clearances as required. (20%)

- Respond to unplanned outages and system emergencies by identifying actions needed to alleviate emergency conditions and promptly restore service. Coordinate the investigative and corrective actions taken by field personnel. Determine proper clearance boundaries, safely direct switching sequences, authorize equipment danger tagging, and issue work clearances to field crews as required, with no supervision. (15%)

- Complete the required classroom and computer-based training, self-study, and operational exercises to maintain the individual NERC System Operator Certificate. (10%)

- Exercise authority to direct other PGE personnel, including line crews, repair crews, contract crews, traveling operators, and maintenance personnel to take the proper actions for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of PGE’s electrical system. (10%)

- Notify appropriate internal and external parties of abnormal and emergency conditions according to current company policies and procedures. (5%)

Minor Job Responsibilities

- Interpret protective relay targets, breaker operations, alarms, and field observations to determine proper restoration methods during forced outages.

- Coordinate with the PGE Balancing Authority Operator, PGE Distribution System Operator, Reliability Coordinator, and adjacent utility grid operators to restore the transmission system following a major system disturbance, islanding, or blackout event.

- Respond to injuries and accidents of employees, contractors and members of the public. Coordinate notification of emergency medical services, including Life Flight. Notify Claims Department, Safety Department, and Crisis Response Team of events as required.

- Maintain accurate record keeping for the daily log, switching and clearances, real-time transmission system status, substation operating one-lines and system overview map

- Write formal switching sequences for planned transmission system switching.

COMMUNICATIONS

- Substation Operations and Line Departments – coordinate and implement planned and unplanned switching and tagging operations. Investigate and respond to outages and alarms.

- Engineering Departments – discuss transmission switching sheets, shutdown orders, protective relay operations, equipment outages, and construction timelines.

- Generating Plants – discuss unit outages, voltage control, and line loadings. Direct switching and tagging of generation substation equipment under SCC authority.

- Companywide – coordinate assistance and notifications for accidents, injuries, oil spills, vandalism, sabotage, wildfire response and mitigation, system restoration, and facility emergencies.

- External entities - coordinate planned outages, switching and tagging, and outage restoration of interconnected power systems.

CHALLENGES

- Complexity and diversity of actions

- Ability to simultaneously coordinate several detailed activities with different personnel.

- Respond to scheduled and forced outages and provide knowledgeable directions for restoration.

- Work alone with no direct supervision.

- Effectively evaluate system and equipment conditions based upon limited information provided by field personnel and remote monitoring devices.

- Participate and successfully complete on-site and off-site system operator training and operational drills.

- Coordinate electric system work activities in a way that minimizes degradation of electric system and customer reliability and maximizes the efficient use of resources.

- Ensure PGE policies, including switching & tagging, and safety procedures are strictly followed.

- Must work extended hours during storm situations to assist with outage restoration efforts.

- Must be able to multi-task and calmly work under a time pressure-driven environment without compromising personnel safety, or electric system reliability.

- Must be able to cope with the demands of rotating shift work.

DECISIONS MADE

- Implement customer load shedding effectively in emergency system conditions with no supervision.

- Prioritize planned and unplanned work based on safety and number of customers impacted.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Knowledge and Skills typical of a qualified Transmission Operator:

- Thorough knowledge of electrical transmission and distribution system.

- Thorough knowledge of electrical principles and concepts.

- Thorough knowledge of PGE's Electric System Switching and Tagging Handbook and PGE Safety Procedures.

- Ability to effectively operate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA), Energy Management System (EMS), Outage Management System (OMS), and Plant Information (PI) System.

- Working knowledge of PGE generating facilities.

- Must be able to obtain the NERC System Operator Certification, typically within 6 months of hire date.

- Excellent problem solving and evaluation techniques.

- Effective leadership and human relations skills.

- Adequate computer skills for efficiently navigating multiple software operational programs and routine office activities such as email and word processor documents.

- Excellent ability to calmly make critical decisions under time constraints with little or no supervision.

- Comprehensive knowledge of Company policies, practices, and philosophy.

- Effective oral and written communication skills with ability to communicate effectively at all levels, including the company radio.

- Demonstrated ability to provide innovative solutions to problems.

- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Experience

- Senior Transmission System Operator: typically requires 8 or more years of operational experience in occupations related to generation, transmission, or distribution systems.

Certifications

- Must be able to obtain the NERC System Operator Certification, typically within 6 months of hire date.

Education

- Requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, information systems or relevant field of study or equivalent experience.

Physical/Mental Abilities And Processes

- Cope with the demands of rotating shift work in an interior environment.

- Capacity to resolve technically complex issues on a real time basis and in stressful emergency situations.

Schedule/Attendance

- Ability to work long hours.

- Ability to work a variable schedule.

- Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather

- Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance

- Ability to work shift schedule

- Ability to work on-call schedule

Compensation Range:

$99,975.00 - $196,945.00

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.