System Operation - Entry Level

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This position is covered by NERC CIP cyber security standards. Prior to being hired, promoted, or transferred into the position, the candidate must successfully pass a Personnel Risk Assessment, which includes identity verification and a criminal background check. Prior to being granted unescorted access to cyber secure areas, the candidate must attend cyber security training. Annual cyber security training is also required.

The System Operator Trainee is responsible for successful completion of the System Operator Training Program and following FERC, NERC, PJM, and RF requirements. Control room environment and rotating shift work.

Competencies:

• Develops and maintains knowledge of the Company's guidelines
• Shows a strong desire for additional training and progresses towards Lead System Operator position
• Ability to accomplish tasks under pressure in a fast-paced environment making sound judgments and crucial decisions in short amounts of time

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with teammates and external utility contacts
• Ability to work with little supervision using only general guidelines at times

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline is desired.

Associates degree showing math skills and electrical theory, to include previous work experience demonstrating basic electrical utility knowledge, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the discipline.

Must already have or obtain the appropriate North American Electric Reliability Corporation Certification and the PJM Certification within one year of employment and prior to independently performing the Reliability functions. This Certification must be maintained with continuing education hours.

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos

Working knowledge of various database, spreadsheet, and word processing software

Ability to stand up to 2/3 of the time. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to accept the mental and physical rigors of, constantly changing system conditions, and varying operating guidelines. The current 12 hour schedule does include some nights, weekends and holidays.

Key responsibilities:

• Implements real-time actions, up to and including shedding firm load, to ensure stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System
• Directs all actions for safety and reliability of the electric grid, including field crews, electrical equipment, and customers in matters that affect electric grid reliability
• Under direct supervision, responsible for the safe, stable, reliable, economical and environmentally correct operation of the Bulk Electric System. This responsibility extends from the generating station substations through the distribution substations to the first interrupting device.
• Directs all switching and tagging activities to achieve LOTO isolation on transmission, substation and mainline distribution equipment for both scheduled and outage situations

• First line of communication for real time operations with PJM and interconnected utilities to assure reliability of the transmission network
• Ensures compliance with strict Standards of Conduct, plus NERC and PJM protocols for transmission services
• Operates the system on a minute-by-minute basis to assure frequency is maintained by generation meeting load requirements
• Responds to transmission and distribution disturbances within established regulatory, industry, and company standards to assure a continuous supply of electricity to customers
• On point to communicate to co-workers and management the status of abnormal system conditions

• Monitors and uses reactive reserves to ensure system reliability
• Mentor System Operator Trainees thru the Operator training game plan
• Annually review and update department Standard Operating Procedures
• Use the system model to simulate removing transmission elements from service and review resulting contingency analysis to prevent any real time violations which may occur
• Responsible for being knowledgeable of the procedures to transfer operations to the Back-up Control Center and implementing if necessary

Analysis and problem solving ability:

Gathers and analyzes many complex variables to recommend decisions on issues under rapid and severe time constraints. Combines complex data sets including weather, grid conditions, electrical voltages, customer load, power plant capabilities, system disturbance data, interconnected utility conditions, etc. to determine actions required to ensure continuous operation and reliability on the electrical grid. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Scope and impact:

During emergency operating conditions, has additional independent authority to shed firm load to prevent or alleviate Operating Security Limit violations without higher-level approval.

As the authority in charge of control room operations, any errors in switching procedures, miscommunication, or errors in analysis could result in serious injury or death to field employees and damage to valuable equipment.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Safety comes first at AES. To protect the health and safety of our people, customers, communities and partners, and to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, AES requires all newly-hired people or current AES people applying for U.S.-based role(s), to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their date of hire. Except where prohibited by law or not specifically covered in a collective bargaining agreement, new hires and transfers will be required to provide proof of vaccination during onboarding and periodically thereafter. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.