Control Center II Operator

Location: Bloomington, MN 55420

Duration: 6 months, contract to hire

Rate: $35.00 - $59.00, to be commensurate with experience

SHIFT: 12 hours, 6:30a-7p and 6:30p-7a, rotating schedule:5 days on/5 days off /2days on/2days off, then flip between day and night.

Scope Of Position

From the company's state-of-the-art control center, Operator II’s monitor conditions within the renewable energy plants managed in the OCC. Key function is to mitigate equipment downtime and production losses through responsive, timely actions to maximize plant performance. Control Center Operator II’s remotely monitor and control turbine, inverter, and BOP plant equipment from the control room using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer systems to maintain safe, efficient, and continuous plant operation while ensuring that the operations of power plants comply with all applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards and practices. Working conditions: OCC Operator II’s spend 100% of their time in the OCC facility, excluding safety and scheduled training exercises. Shift assignments in the 24/7/365 work setting include extended workdays and the ability to work other shifts as required, to include overtime, rotating shifts, holidays and weekends as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Complete applicable safety program training requirements per the IIPP annually. Read, understand, and apply information such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Maintain safe, reliable, and efficient operation by quickly responding to changing conditions in order to maximize availability and generation by operating facilities within all applicable permits, electrical system procedures, contractual obligations, and company objectives.
• Visually monitor and read parameters, data points, and sensor outputs at specified intervals to verify operating conditions and to detect faults and malfunctions.
• Monitor data such as weather conditions including wind speed, direction, turbulence, irradiance,
  
  

storms, or equipment temperatures, voltage, current, power, and VAR’s.

• Ensure quality and accuracy of real-time generation information being telemetered to RTO/ISO and take actions to correct abnormalities.
• Ensure asset, meteorological, and substation data integrity for internal databases used for reporting
  
  

purposes and by external entity’s real-time operations.

• Develop and implement effective strategies to maximize the generating assets value by capturing profit opportunities when possible.
• Use OEM or Enterprise SCADA (Original Equipment Manufacturer Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) to adjust plant control setpoints such as active and reactive power of the company’s generating units.
• Maintain understanding of the compliance requirements where owned and third-party assets are located.
• Perform diagnostic analysis of operating data to assess operating performance and make recommendations for improvement.
• Adjust manual controls or verify automatic controls to bring equipment into recommended or prescribed operating ranges, based on utility/ISO/customer requirements. Accurately change control equipment setpoints.
• Record operation actions taken during shift in operator's logbook or other automated logging mechanisms.
• Anticipate typical problems, identify potential or recurring problems, discover opportunities for improvements, and take appropriate action.
• Proficient in operating computers, the OCC’s Integrated SCADA system, and all other plant SCADA systems used in monitoring and controlling plant operations.
• Use weather information from weather services and interconnected companies to respond to load demand changes as directed through curtailment orders and outage directives.
• Ensure compliance to all regulatory and contractual requirements through adherence to all operational procedures, processes, and policies.
• Coordinate with regional personnel and system operators from other companies on matters pertaining to customer problems or demands. Utilize accurate and efficient three-way communication skills on inbound and outbound telephone conversations.
• Assist maintenance teams to troubleshoot problems and ascertain probable cause.
• Direct electrical substation switching using a detailed understanding of the Company’s electrical switching practices
• Supervise OCC Operators in the absence of supervisory personnel, and provide direction and advice
  
  

to Operators on technical issues relating to system performance and operation.

• All other duties as assigned.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Able to maintain confidentiality, be detail oriented and disciplined, and adept at multi-tasking.
• Able to demonstrate good work habits including, but not limited to, excellent attendance patterns and being to work on time.
• Conduct and present himself/herself in a professional manner.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written, with demonstrated ability to follow instructions diligently.
• Demonstrated good analytical skills to process information in a timely and accurate manner. Math skills sufficient to accurately complete required job functions.
• Demonstrated computer skills required with ability to learn and use MS Office suite programs, unique plant SCADA systems, and network/communication systems to identify plant interconnectivity issues.
• Understanding of the operation and control of power plants highly desired. Knowledge of NERC operating policies a plus. Ability to train for and become NERC certified is a desired advancement path for operators.
• 5 years in power system operations, power production, or related energy operations. Military or maritime background is an asset.
• Thorough knowledge of power theory, power plant equipment, maintenance practices, and principles of operation.
• Associate’s Degree in a technical or relevant discipline required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Must possess and maintain NERC Balancing and Interchange Certification or ability to attain certification within 12 months.
• Must be able to work other shifts as required, including overtime, rotating shifts, holidays and weekends as necessary. Experience in 24/7 work settings preferred.
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.