Join Our Team!

PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion

General Purpose

The Associate Grid Operator position continues to learn and participate in activities related to exercising unilateral authority for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (Transmission and Generation) under normal, emergency and black start conditions, complying with the NERC and WECC reliability standards. This position is expected to operate any of the disciplines (Transmission System Operator, Balance & Interchange Operator, and Energy Grid Operator) as assigned, under minimal supervision.

In addition to, the Grid Operator position will exercise unilateral authority for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (Transmission and Generation) under normal, emergency, and black start conditions, complying with NERC and WECC reliability standards. This position is expected to operate any of the disciplines (Transmission System Operator, Balance & Interchange Operator, and Energy Grid Operator) as assigned.

In addition to, the Senior Grid Operator position will exercise unilateral authority for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (Transmission and Generation) under normal, emergency, and black start conditions, complying with NERC and WECC reliability standards. Act as a lead/expert in the work group. Identify business issues and recommends solutions to management. This position is expected to operate any of the disciplines (Transmission System Operator, Balance & Interchange Operator, and Energy Grid Operator) as assigned.

Responsibilities and Authority of this position include the following

The responsibilities of the Associate Grid Operator:

• Under minimal supervision, operate the PacifiCorp Transmission System in a safe and reliable manner, including emergency operations and black start restoration
• Monitor and maintain Bulk Electric System equipment, transmission lines and paths within System Operating Limits, Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits, and schedule limits at all times, making schedule curtailments as necessary.
• Monitor path loading and bus voltage for actual and potential limit violations
• Continuously monitor frequency, Area Control Error, interties, and other applicable values for indications of inadequate control performance and take corrective action as needed
• Monitor and direct normal and emergency switching of Main Grid facilities
• Maintain voltages at prescribed levels per the approved voltage schedule
• Monitor all alarms in the Areas of Responsibility and take action to correct alarm condition
• Monitor and Operate Remedial Action Schemes, Static VAR Systems, and phase shifters per established operating procedures
• Monitor actual interchange telemetry for errors and make corrections as necessary
• Monitor operation of the generation function and compliance monitoring guidelines within NERC/WECC reliability standards and procedures
• Monitor and adhere to Control Performance, Disturbance Control Standards and Operating
• Reserve obligations at all times, updating the market as required
• Perform balancing functions as required to implement market and transmission schedules (e-Tag approvals, OASIS requests, actual/scheduled/inadvertent interchange confirmations)
• Perform energy imbalance market functions as required (monitor generating unit performance, adjusting/blocking ties, review availability of regulations and ability to meet the load, evaluating equipment outages, adjusting load for dispatch intervals)
• Implement Manual Dispatch as needed for projected resource changes on congestion, software problems, system reliability issues, and market modeling errors
• Monitor transmission constraints and verify transmission limits are correct in the market model by conforming of lines and corridors
• Make the required notifications of system conditions to the appropriate parties during normal and emergency situations
• Monitor WECC Unscheduled Flow Procedures and associated curtailment tools
• Operate in compliance with PacifiCorp internal Business Practices and Procedures
• Continue to establish and maintain effective work relationships with internal and external contacts
• Assist in the training of junior level operators

In addition, the responsibilities and authority of the Grid Operator include:

• Independently operate the PacifiCorp Transmission System in a safe and reliable manner, including emergency operations and black start restoration

In addition, the responsibilities and authority of the Senior Grid Operator position include:

• Responsible to provide safe and reliable system operations in a way which optimizes company and departmental costs, performance and efficiency of service 
• Interpret internal and external operational business issues and recommend solutions to management
• Act as a lead/expert in the work group and provide continuous mentoring and training for all level Grid Operators
• Interpret internal and external business issues and recommend solutions or best practices to management
• Report, analyze, and track complex market operational issues
• Participate and represent the company in industry meetings

Requirements

The requirements of the Associate Grid Operator

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• NERC Certified System Operator or will be required to obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Intermediate knowledge of Distribution and Transmission Systems, the established practices, and procedures of those systems.
• Communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to work as a team member and to clearly communicate approved actions.
• Self-motivated and ability to work under limited direction.
• Proficient with the use of personal computers including Spreadsheet, Database, Corporate Office products, and SCADA/EMS operations systems and related technologies.
• Ability to successfully complete the appropriate Job Task Analysis (JTA) and a management review panel before consideration for possible advancement to next level.

In addition to, the Requirements for the Grid Operator include:

• One to five years of experience as a Grid Operator, System Operator or Electric Dispatcher, or in a related field.
• Strong knowledge of Distribution and Transmission Systems, the established practices, and procedures of those systems.

In addition to, the Requirements for the Senior Grid Operator include:

• 5+ years of experience as a Grid Operator, System Operator, Electric Dispatcher, or in a related field.
• Expert knowledge of Distribution and Transmission Systems, the established practices, and procedures of those systems.
• Ability to train and mentor junior level operators.

Preferences

• Strong knowledge of NERC policies and procedures.
• NERC Certified System Operator
• Experience in the operation of Distribution and Transmission Systems, Balance and Interchange, and Energy Imbalance Market services in the Western Interconnection (WECC).

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

​

Req ID: 109808 
Company Code: PacifiCorp 
Primary Location: Portland, Oregon 
Department: Rocky Mountain Power 
Schedule: Full-time
Personnel Subarea: Exempt
Hiring Range: $ 85,500 – $ 133,000 

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary performance incentive bonus of up to 12% – 25% of salary.    

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation.

At PacifiCorp, we celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion. PacifiCorp is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.
 

​