System Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior

Job Description:

Responsible for the real-time operation of the Tri‑State interconnected transmission system in a safe and reliable manner. This position is tasked with the authority and responsibility to operate the Tri-State transmission system in such a manner as to comply with all applicable North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Regional Reliability Organization (RRO) standards. This position is a shift position to cover 24 hours 7 days per week. Responsible for the coordination of switching and outage requests with Members, other interconnected utilities, and within Tri‑State. Prepare/approve switching programs in advance of requested date of execution and Directs and coordinates routine and emergency switching including issuing clearances and other protective orders to field personnel and coordinate with interconnected utilities.

Note:

There are two positions available and the positions will be filled at one of four job grade levels: System Operator Trainee, job grade 7; System Operator I, job grade 8; System Operator II, job grade 9; or Senior System Operator, job grade 10. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected, and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes:

Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior System Operator

Hiring Salary Range: $110,000-151,000

System Operator II

Hiring Salary Range: $100,000-$135,000

System Operator I

Hiring Salary Range: $86,000-$116,000

System Operator Trainee

Hiring Wage: $42.00

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Responsibilities:

- Senior System Operator duties include:

- Prepare/approve transmission switching programs in advance of requested date of execution.

- Using advance Energy Management System (EMS) simulation tools model all switching programs to identify and mitigate any reliability issues.

- Direct and coordinate routine and emergency switching including issuing clearances and other protective orders to field personnel and coordinate with interconnected utilities.

- Coordinate routine and emergency activities with Member systems and other interconnected utilities.

- Monitor transmission system events and conditions utilizing EMS, to include but not limited to line trips, system voltages, line loading, and equipment status, and take actions to maintain transmission system reliability as dictated by company specific reliability related tasks in accordance with NERC, RRO, and company guidelines.

- Monitor network applications, including State Estimator and Real-Time Security Analysis, for potential Transmission System reliability issues and take action to mitigate any reliability issues.

- Develop, Approve, and Implement mitigations for Real-Time Transmission System emergencies

- Perform tasks of the Transmission Service Operator as required including validating Transmission Service Requests, e-Tags, performing congestion management, and underground locates.

- Assist with training activities of new employees, System Operator I & II, and Transmission System Operator Trainees as needed.

- During emergency system conditions coordinated and execute decisions to restore load and generation balance, and provide emergency assistance as requested or required to ensure system reliability, as required by the NERC Standards, and provided for under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Standards of Conduct.

- Perform Senior System Operator duties at the Backup Control Center (BCC) as needed during emergencies and during periodic BCC drills and exercises.

- Participate in Regional System Blackstart system restoration drills.

- General System Operations duties:

- Operate voice and radio communications systems to communicate with interconnected utilities and field personnel.

- Coordinate at various internal and external corporate levels to exchange information and coordinate reliable operations.

- Coordinate with System Operating Engineers and assist with system studies and related matters.

- Assist the Transmission Service Operators as needed.Coordinate with the Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS) desk to ensure all real time changes to Available Transmission Capacity (ATC) is communicated.

- Maintain operational records and logs.

- Post information on reliability messaging tools as required, and monitor these messages for incoming reliability information.

- Participate in all required training to maintain a valid NERC Certification.

- Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements.Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety.Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.

- Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State’s culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State’s culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.

- Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.

- Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

Qualifications:

Education and Training

- High School diploma or equivalent.

- Completion of Tri-State System Operator Trainee Program or other qualified System Operator Trainee program.

- Working knowledge of algebra, geometry, and basic principles of physics including electrical and mechanical theory, AC and DC currents, and the fundamentals of power flow.

- NERC Certification and maintain certification by obtaining required continuing education hours.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

- Working knowledge of algebra, geometry and basic principles of physics.

- Working knowledge of electrical and mechanical theory, AC and DC circuits and the fundamental of power flow.

- Extensive knowledge of electrical utility systems, equipment and all phases of transmission operations.

- Extensive knowledge of corporate security and fire alarm system and related procedures.

- Extensive knowledge of safety rules and equipment.

- Ability to direct the work of other System Operators and assist in training new employees and/or trainees.

- Ability to distinguish full range of colors in order to be successful with completing duties involving the use of computer displays to monitor color-coded electric system diagrams.

- Ability to use and learn various computer applications.

- Excellent communication skills, both orally and written.

- Ability to work under stress.

- Ability to maintain good working relationship both internal and external.

- Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in routine and emergency situations.

Other:

- Willingness to work rotating shifts with extra and/or irregular hours including holidays.

- Willingness to travel as required. (Must possess a valid driver’s license.)

- Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all of the essential functions of the position.

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s degree in Electricity, Mathematics, or Business or other closely related discipline preferred.

About Us:

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 43 members, including 40 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Tri-State was founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity. Headquartered in Westminster, Colo., approximately 1,200 people are employed by Tri-State across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas and hydropower, with a rapidly increasing supply generated from wind and solar. Tri-State delivers power to its members through a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and over 5,700 miles of high voltage transmission lines. Tri-State's transformative Responsible Energy Plan is reducing emissions, increasing renewable resources, developing new energy services and delivering more flexibility for its members.

Job Identification: 479

Job Category: Dispatch

Posting Date: 2025-09-17T23:16:16+00:00

Job Schedule: Full time

Hiring Salary Range: $87,000-$151,000

Locations: 1100 W 116th Ave, Westminster, CO, 80234, US

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.