Assistant System Operator

Summary

Accountable for the daily management and coordination of NYPA’s overall operations, including Overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the operational performance.

As a NERC Generation Operator (GOP), Transmission Owner (TO), and Transmission Operator (TOP), monitor and control NYPA generation and transmission facilities. Coordinate and direct switching schedules with regional projects, local TO/TOP’s, and NYISO. Directs generation and voltage support as needed to maintain reliability of the Bulk Electric System in a manner that will not exceed thermal and voltage limits or cause System Operating Limits (SOL’s). Continually monitor transmission network applications to ensure normal operations.

Responsibilities

• Control Center position with a focus on NERC Generator Operator (GOP) tasks and verbal coordination.
• Utilize the ECC Energy Management System (EMS) and NYISO Management Information System (MIS) to monitor real-time status such as NYPA’s Generation and basic Water Management.
• Coordinate NYPA generation stop/starts.
• Assess the amount of generation reserves bid by NYPA Generator Resource Management (GRM).
• Check NYPA Generator Day Ahead Market (DAM)schedules.
• Monitor NYPA generation (every 15 min) and ensure the units are on schedule.
• Coordinate and document derates and NYISO out of merits.
• Assess metering and after-the-fact readings to validate accuracy.
• Demonstrate basic understanding and navigation of the EMS one-line diagrams.
• Calculate water in BG reservoir for reserves and to meet NYISO schedules.
• Adhere to NERC, NPCC, NYISO, and NYPA requirements. Fulfill and demonstrate competencies in all formally identified tasks.
• Learn and maintain a basic understanding of NYPA Operating Policies and Control Room Guides, Instructions, Bulletins, and NYISO memos.
• Must work rotating shifts, including nights, midnights, weekends, and holidays.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of power system generation and transmission concepts
• Ability to successfully complete NYISO System Operator Training
• Good written & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to learn 3-Part communication.
• Working knowledge of Office programs for PC (Word/Excel etc.)
• Ability to learn/use Energy Management System
• Ability to verbally communicate effectively with the NYPA Regional Projects and outside entities such as NYISO and GRM.
• Ability to review NYPA outage coordination summary sheets to identify generation that is planned out of service.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Required

• Associate (AAS) degree: Electrical Technology or equivalent Science/Technology field desired
• Min 1 year equivalent direct electric grid/power system related work experience will be considered with non-technical degree.
• All candidates are required to possess or be able to obtain a NERC Transmission Operator Certification within one year of hire.

Preferred Experience:

• Bachelor’s (BAS) degree in Electrical Engineering, other Engineering disciplines, or related technical fields
• Control Center Experience working as an Operator.
• Utility/Power plant experience working in operation/maintenance, high voltage electrician, instrument controls technician, etc.
• Military technical or nuclear training. 
• Experience with rotating Shift work.

Physical Requirements

• Approximately 10% travel primarily within NY State.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time (up to 12 hours) in front of computer monitors while maintaining situational awareness; communicating effectively while speaking English (per NERC requirement); see, hear, and react to alarms.