TSO Operator

To be successful in this role you will:

• Responds to, and directs the response to, transmission/substation system status changes, including alarms, remote terminal units, transmission operations or lockouts, transmission facility overloads, and substation devices.

• Coordinates with the MISO Reliability Coordinator concerning transmission outages, overloads, transmission congestion issues, remedial actions, and transmission security. Determines corrective actions and implement action plans.

• Direct and coordinate field switching and clearance activity (by radio, telephone, or supervisory control) to ensure safety of personnel and equipment.

· Analyze Energy Management System (EMS) data to verify accuracy and to stay abreast of power system changes.

• Monitor and control voltage as prescribed by the System Voltage Profile. Make appropriate voltage changes using static and dynamic voltage sources.

• Communicate efficiently and professionally with inside and outside entities. Provide excellent customer support to all entities.

• Be available for duty when system events require additional resources at the Control Center

· Initiate appropriate emergency responses and notifications as required by system conditions and events. · Initiate contingency plans for the loss of the Control Center.

• Always observe safety rules and procedures.

• Coordinates all emergency activities between CenterPoint Energy and MISO, including implementation of Capacity Emergency and Transmission Emergency procedures.

• Maintains chronological logs of all pertinent system activities.

• Conducts power flow studies for expected or contingency conditions and develop an operating plan to mitigate identified issues in coordination with MISO and other affected entities.

• Coordinates and supervises restoration activities if/when CenterPoint Energy experiences a total or partial system blackout.

• Coordinates activities and notifications when any CenterPoint Energy operational or electrical facility receives a security threat.

• Analyzes major transmission or generation system disturbances, determines what remedial action is required, sets priorities, coordinates with MISO, and then carries out the implementation of corrective action.

• Coordinates actions following a telecommunication outage and takes corrective steps to minimize the effect.

• Takes direct action in response to unplanned facility outages and coordinate its return to service while maintaining security of the transmission system and safety of those responding.

• Executes voltage reduction or load shedding when appropriate.

• Exercises authority to take or direct timely and appropriate action, up to and including shedding firm system load, to prevent or alleviate Operating Limits Violations without obtaining approval from higher-level personnel.

• Maintains surveillance of weather activities and direct operation of the transmission system in a conversative state as needed.

• Validate and coordinate hourly tie-line metering values in coordination with neighboring entities and the Interchange Analyst while ensuring hourly system load values are reasonable

Your background includes:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or technical field of study, or relevant job-related experience for non-degree candidates.
  
• 5-7 years of relevant work experience preferred. If not already NERC Certified at the RC or BITO level, the applicant must have the ability to obtain and maintain a NERC Certification at one of those two levels.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, Licenses/Certifications, Abilities & Personal Characteristics:

Able to obtain and maintain a valid NERC Certification as a Balancing/Interchange/Transmission Operator or Reliability Coordinator level.

• Able to apply knowledge of power flows, voltage control, generation control, system operations, and EMS tools in daily system operations.
• Able to make complex operational decisions drawing on experience and a minimum of varied input about system conditions.
• Possess strong computer skills.
• Able to remain calm in emergencies and give instructions to others.
• Able to perform the mathematics required to support decision-making.
• Able to rely on, and act on, one’s own assessment of system conditions.
• Able to collaborate with others in normal and emergency operations towards achieving the best possible outcomes for CenterPoint Energy as a whole.
• Able to influence others toward action on a particular point of view.
• Able to demonstrate the company’s core values of integrity, accountability, initiative, and respect. Physical Requirements
• Able to communicate orally in a clear manner.
• Able to hear oral communication, either in person or on equipment such as telephone, mobile phone or radio.
• Able to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or reach repeatedly, daily.
• Able to distinguish between colors.
• Able to demonstrate the dexterity to operate a personal computer, either desktop or laptop, and common office equipment such as telephone, photocopier, fax machine, calculator, laptop, mobile phone, etc.

Working Conditions:

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment with high daily pressure to meet deadlines.
• Able to provide on-call support 24 hours on occasion.
• Able to perform work indoors in an office environment and outdoors as needed.
• Able to respond to emergency calls and/or callouts and return to work while off duty.
• Able to work a varied schedule to complete projects and meet deadlines in response to changing demands.
• Able to travel to attend or conduct training, visit facilities and/or attend regulatory hearings, industry, or professional association conferences and/or other meetings (with customers, vendors, contractors, communities, etc.) and stay overnight as required.
• Able to support Emergency Operating Plan. Will be required to remain in the service area during emergency events and assume responsibilities assigned by the company to support restoration efforts.