Associate Operator

Job Description

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) manages the efficient flow of electricity on more than 11,000 circuit-miles of high-voltage transmission lines, dispatching power from hundreds of generating units across the state.

The NYISO's Operations department invites applications for full-time, Associate Operators in our Grid Operations group.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team tasked with ensuring that the flow of electricity to New York's people and business goes uninterrupted. The successful candidates will work in a brand new, state-of-the-art control center. The Control Center's video wall is the largest installation for the utility industry in North America. It's one hundred, 80- inch diagonal LED screens are stacked twenty-five wide by four high, spanning a space 131 feet wide and 18 feet tall.

The Associate Operator is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the flow of energy on the high voltage electrical grid that connects New York and surrounding areas, including New England, Quebec, and Ontario. Additionally, Associate Operators work in conjunction with other NYISO Power System Operators to respond to critical situations on the electrical grid, ensuring the continuous supply of electricity within New York.

The Associate Operator will support the broader regional markets initiatives in the real time grid and market operations environment, and runs the software programs for the NYCA Control Area hourly schedule check out and analyze the results.. This position will be responsible for the monitoring and coordination of all inter-regional parallel flows to account for the impact of unscheduled power flows, provide for enhanced inter-regional transaction coordination, and provide for inter-regional congestion management while maintaining all system reliability requirements. The Operator will assess the possibilities to reduce uplift costs associated with real time events and promote efficient congestion management. The Operator will monitor unscheduled power flows and, if necessary, recommend the use of the NERC TLR process. The Associate Operator will work with System Operators in the IESO, HQTE, PJM, ISONE, NB, and MISO to improve the efficiency of regional transaction scheduling and reliable operations throughout the region. This position will ensure that all inter-regional transaction scheduling and modifications meet all NERC Reliability Standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Identify sources and magnitude of unscheduled power flows that result in reliability and economic impacts to the NYISO grid operations and markets.
• Initiate NYISO control actions to mitigate unscheduled power flows caused within the NYCA, including study, initiation, and termination of NERC TLR as directed by Shift Supervisor.
• Identify sources and magnitude of loop flow from outside the NYCA, and if necessary, initiates corrective action using transaction modification as part of the NERC TLR process to alleviate NYISO reliability and economic impacts to the NYISO.
• Implement transaction modification as directed or as part of the NERC TLR process.
• Implements emergency transactions when directed or as requested by other reliability coordinators
• Communicate the effectiveness of all corrective actions to the NYISO Shift Supervisor and recommend further actions.
• Support the implementation of process improvement tools and validate enhancements of tools and reports
• Manages the Transaction Management program and applies the appropriate billing codes when required, must be familiar with settlement outcomes
• Responsible for avoiding unnecessary, sustained high re-dispatch costs
• When equipment causing a reduction in scheduling limits is removed from service, coordinate with external areas to ensure limits are correctly implemented in all areas
• Identify those inter-regional transactions available for Transaction coordination.
• Monitor NYISO Intra Hour Transaction Scheduling outcomes
• Monitor Coordinated Transaction Scheduling (CTS) data for accuracy and implementation into the NYISO software programs.
• Modify operation of the NYISO Intra Hour Transaction Scheduling as necessary and, in consultation with the Shift Supervisor, in order to optimize the scheduling of transactions while ensuring NYISO system reliability.
• Coordinate schedules on controllable tie lines with Transmission Owners and external Reliability Coordinators, monitoring real time flow to ensure schedules are met
• Provide to the NYISO System Operators the scheduling results of Transaction Coordination.
• Ensure that all transaction modifications meet all NERC related reliability standards.
• Monitor the status and capability of all inter-regional Phase Angle Regulators (PARs) which have been identified in managing loop flow.
• Operator will be required to coordinate the setting of inter-regional PAR flows with respect to NYISO and external RC reliability concerns.
• Communicate inter-regional PAR flow setting changes to the NYISO System Operators and external RCs.
• Reviews DAM/HAM external schedules (DNI) with the Shift Supervisor each hour and ensure agreed upon schedules are followed real time.
• Updates external schedules when directed by the direction of the Shift Supervisor for reliability issues.
• Confirm data supplied to Real Time System Programs in order to confirm checked out schedules transferred.
• Performs transaction schedule checkouts with neighboring control areas so as to ensure accurate schedules are agreed upon by both parties for system reliability.
• Adjusts E-Tags as necessary to ensure consistency between E-Tag, MIS, and External control areas
• Modify transaction scheduling as necessary and, in consultation with the Shift Supervisor, in order to optimize the scheduling of transactions while ensuring NYISO system reliability.
• In consultation with the Shift Supervisor adjusts external schedules as necessary per TLR conditions to relieve external control areas transmission line overload concerns.
• Makes updates to NPCC Simultaneous Activation of Reserve program and NYCA Reserve Requirement displays to reflect changing system conditions with neighboring control areas.
• Answers Market Participant calls concerning modifications to transactions while maintaining confidential information requirements.
• Monitors the operating state of the NYISO bulk power of the NYISO Bulk Power System including the System State Normal, Warning, Alert, Major Emergency or Restoration.
• Monitors tie line flows and coordinates with external areas to maintain flows on schedule
• Utilizing Phase 1 analog strip charts, monitor signals for significant changes or alarms, notifying the Shift Supervisor and assisting in identification of a system event
• Maintains the necessary records and keeps a detailed log of all events, conditions and occurrences that are pertinent to transaction check outs.
• Analyzes computer output data to obtain maximum benefit from available information and recommends, as required, modification to program logic to obtain improvements in the man-machine interface and initiates phone trouble reports.
• Confirm NYISO is operating within appropriate limits at all times with external Reliability Coordinators for ramp, scheduling, and stability.
• Determines whether communications, metering and computer equipment is in good working order
• Examines and studies operating procedures, attends required training classes to maintain personal proficiency.
• Works in conjunction with internal NYISO departments to insure reliable operations of the Bulk Power System and Market.
• Performs tasks as assigned by Grid Operations management to study NYISO Performance and participates in NYISO committee meetings as requested.
• During a physical Power Control Center emergency, assists in set-up and staffing of the Alternate Control Center.
• Assists the Shift Supervisor with the restoration of the NYISO Bulk Power System when in the restoration state.
• Assists in coordinating the operation of the NYISO bulk power system, including coordination with other Control Areas in the NERC Eastern interconnection to ensure reliability of service and achievement of optimum market operations.
• Support the implementation of process improvement tools and validate enhancements of tools and reports
• Accurately manages the Transaction Management program and apply the appropriate billing codes when required, must be familiar with settlement outcomes.
• Responsible for avoiding unnecessary, sustained high re-dispatch costs
• Maintain desk qualification as required under NERC PER-005 standards

This position requires shift work as the Operations Control Room is staffed 24x7x365. The shift schedules follow a 2-2 3-2 2-3 rotating shift pattern to provide 24/7 coverage.

Qualifications include:

• No industry related experience required, however candidates with three or more years of related technical training and experience in an electrical utility organization, power systems training, US Navy nuclear or power plant training are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, apply and describe complex concepts; strong analytical skills and experience using various, complex software systems required.
• If hired, must successfully complete the NYISO Concept of Electric System Operator Course and become a certified NERC Reliability Coordinator.
• Associate's degree in Electrical Technology or related field desired.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret operational criteria documents, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff and external industry partners.
• Ability to perform calculations such as percentages, proportions, area, circumference, volume, power factors, real and reactor power. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Intermediate competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications including PowerPoint, e-mail and Internet programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to perform routine office tasks. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel may be required to attend and/or conduct meetings, conferences and training.

Except when traveling, the person in this position works in a normal office environment.

The position is a rotating shift position and requires staffing 24 /7 including work during evenings, weekends or holidays.

The NYISO takes pride in recruiting, developing and retaining highly talented individuals. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and innovative reward programs.

The NYISO offers the flexibility to work both in the office and remotely, providing our employees with an enhanced work life balance. While the majority of the responsibilities of this role can be performed remotely, in most cases, employees will have periodic on-site requirements based on business needs. Full remote opportunities may be available in some cases.

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

The NYISO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

Salary Range$79,400—$101,600 USD