Associate System Operator

Thank you for your interest in the Associate System Operator opportunity! This position is part of a continuous recruitment process, which means applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Candidates may be contacted monthly as we move through the evaluation process, and selections may be made at any time.
The hiring process includes:
•    Prescreening Assessment
•    Written Examination
•    Civil Service Interview
Please note: The Written Examination and Interview will be conducted in person in Jacksonville, Florida.
 

We encourage you to apply and look forward to reviewing your application!
 

This is a professional non-supervisory position that performs for operational planning, monitoring, coordinating and operating the transmission and distribution system and the JEA balancing area in compliance with all applicable corporate policies and procedures and regulatory requirements; takes corrective action to mitigate pre and post contingency events to maintain a reliable JEA and interconnected system; determines the need and implements emergency procedures that may include the curtailment of transmission services, purchasing of emergency power, switching, re-dispatch of generation devices, interruption of firm and  non-firm load; performs system dispatch and market coordination tasks for the economic operation of JEA resources to meet JEA load and interchange requirements within operating, fuel, reliability or environmental constraints; transmission service tasks within regulatory requirements; interchange scheduling and accounting tasks; and switching and safety related tasks associated with the operation of substation and distribution system equipment for maintenance and outage restoration activities.  Working knowledge of concepts, principles, methods, techniques, theories, processes, practices, procedures, rules and regulations related to electrical distribution and transmission systems, interconnected system operations, bulk systems reliability, generation control, economic dispatch, transmission service and interchange scheduling and accounting, sufficient to perform a broad range of technical tasks.  Position requires knowledge of and compliance to North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (FRCC) Standards and Guidelines, as applicable.  Guidelines are available but are not completely applicable to the work or have gaps in specificity requiring independent action, judgment and decision making to interpret, analyze and adapt methods, techniques and procedures to specific cases or problems. Solves problems within established parameters and identifies and recommends responses to new and unusual circumstances.  Completed work is evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness and conformity with policies and requirements.  Regular contact with individuals in other work groups and external organizations is required to plan, coordinate or advise on work efforts, resolve problems and communicate information.  May be required to work any shift schedule on a rotational basis and remain on-call 24 hours a day to maintain 24-hour, 7 day per week operations.

• Develops plans, monitors, operates, controls and reviews outcomes to maintain a reliable system.
• Develops plans, monitors, operates, controls and reviews outcomes in performing switching and investigative tasks on the electrical transmission and distribution system.
• Develops plans, monitors, operates, controls and reviews outcomes in operating substation and distribution system equipment.
• Develops plans, monitors, operates, controls and reviews outcomes in performing system dispatch and market coordination task.
• Provides direct and continuous monitoring of the electrical transmission and distribution system.
• Authorizes and monitors switching on transmission lines, switching stations, bulk power substations, and distribution circuits.
• Monitors system parameters and maintains proper voltage levels and energy flows within prescribed limits.
• Responds to alarms from substations and underground transmission line pump houses, analyzes problems and takes appropriate action including the issuing of malfunction reports.
• Documents and reports outages, system disturbances and equipment malfunctions.
• Maintains continuous radio communication with field employees.
• Operates a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
• Issues safety hold tags for energized and de-energized lines and equipment.
• Monitors system reliability, takes action per JEA procedures and responds to system disturbances.
• Issues clearances for crews to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of electrical system lines and equipment.
• Operates assigned vehicle.
• Forecasts system load requirements.
• Balances electric load and electric generation.
• Schedules generation on-line or off-line to meet load and reliability requirements.
• Schedules interchange between control areas pursuant to NERC and FRCC policies.
• Schedules emergency power to and from other utilities.
• Determines the need and implements emergency procedures to maintain system reliability.
• Posts, evaluates and approves transmission reservations and schedules transmission service.
• Curtails transactions based on tariff and reliability requirements.
• Maintains and schedules reserves based on operating criteria.
• Performs operational coordination with JEA’s marketing agent.
• Ensures economic operation of available generating resources within operating constraints.
• Monitors generator levels, operating capability and operating limits.
• Ensures accurate data records on load, generation, interchange and transmission service.
• Operates standard office equipment and uses required software and hardware applications.
• Performs other job-related work as assigned.
   

OPEN REQUIREMENTS: 
Minimum of four (4) years electrical experience in engineering; construction; and/or operation and/or maintenance of substation, generating plant, and transmission and/or distribution facilities   and

An Associate Degree in an engineering related discipline from an accredited college or university or an equivalent military science based college level training program.

~OR~

Minimum of two (2) years electrical experience in engineering; construction; and/or operation and/or maintenance of substation, generating plant, and transmission and/or distribution facilities   and

A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• A valid driver's license is required prior to employment and must be maintained during employment in this classification.
• North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) Combined Balancing and Interchange/Transmission Operator or higher is required to be obtained prior to end of the probationary period.
• Employees in this classification participate in a training program in which satisfactory progress and successful completion is required.

Typical hiring annual salary range: $76,460.80-$100,000

*Please note: The work location for this position is JEA's SOCC (System Operations Control Center) facility, located on the westside of Jacksonville.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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