Job Description

General Summary (What is done and why.)

The System Operator is primarily responsible for ensuring the electric grid that is in place is operating in a safe, efficient and reliable manner and that appropriate actions are taken and individuals are contacted when it is not. In addition, the System Operator will take the lead on dispatching hydro, diesel and gas turbine units. Must perform switching and monitor the electrical grid. Answer, evaluate and respond to after hour telephone calls from Green Mountain Power customers, other utilities and emergency agencies.

Essential Functions (Majority of duties, but not meant to be all-inclusive nor prevent other duties from being assigned as necessary.)

Functional:

• Operate hydro, diesel and gas turbine generating units.
• Perform switching and monitor the electrical grid via supervisory control.
• Answer, evaluate and respond to after hour telephone calls from Green Mountain Power customers, other utilities, and emergency agencies.
• Formulate hydro schedules based upon current and projected river flows, unit capability, weather patterns, maintenance schedules, storage releases, minimum flows and basic dispatch guidelines.
• Follow and enforce Green Mountain Power's switching and tagging rules.
• Maintain various other records by monitoring, recording, calculating, operating computer terminals, and other equipment. For example; oil spills and distribution outages.
• Must complete training programs as assigned by management.
• Must be willing and able to work scheduled and unscheduled overtime as needed.
• All System Operators are expected to progress via testing to First Class 1/C.

Apprentice Power System Operator - New Hire - Step 2 or Step 1 - depending on experience

As an Apprentice System Operator the following are being learned and performed under supervision:

• Basic understanding of GMP generators, watershed and minimum flows.
• Operate GMP hydro and fuel generators via SCADA.
• Receive and process customer calls including following T&D and customer procedures.
• Basic knowledge of SCADA operation and reporting functions.
• Basic knowledge of GMP electrical System.
• Basic knowledge of switching and tagging.
• Progress to System Operator 3/c by passing the test. The test must be successfully completed within 1 year of hire as Apprentice System Operator and may be taken at any time after 3 months with recommendation of Lead System Operator and Supervisor.

Power System Operator 3rd/Class

As a Third-Class System Operator, the following are being learned and performed under supervision.

• Perform all duties of an Apprentice Power System Operator.
• Familiar with the operating parameters of all generating facilities under the room's jurisdiction. Monitor and suggest adjustments based on operational parameters.
• Develop Day Ahead Forecast for generating facilities to send to Marketing Agencies.
• Understanding of Hydraulic, Substation and System One-lines
• Answer phones and resolve requests or collect information to properly direct the issue to others.
• All aspects of GMP's OMS, ability to dispatch crews to respond to outages and resolve calls when field workers clear off.
• Familiar with SCADA functionality with the ability to perform functions under supervision
• Perform switching and tagging orders under a 1st Class PSO supervision.
• Progress to System Operator 2nd Class by passing the test. The test must be successfully completed within 1 year of becoming a 3rd Class Power System Operator and may be taken at any time after 6 months with recommendation of Lead System Operator and Supervisor

Power System Operator 2nd/Class

Concentrations for Second Class are continuity of service, basic knowledge of equipment and their operation, reading prints, calculating loads, and understanding generation and generation facilities. A Second Class System Operator is qualified to be on shift as the second operator working under a 1/C operator. As a System Operator 2nd /C, the following are being learned and performed under supervision:

• Perform all duties of System Operator 3rd Class without supervision.
• Responsible for continuity of service throughout the GMP service territory, from utility interconnections to customer service with concentration on transmission, generation, and substations. May be required to direct service restoration efforts.
• Regulate individual generating station's output according to schedule,
• Must have knowledge of all water systems and water management procedures.
• May be required to work in power station or other departments with crews as part of training.
• Capable of understanding electrical diagrams and one-line maps.
• Must be familiar with company safety rules and practices and perform the duties of this position accordingly.
• Perform switching and tagging without supervision for routine maintenance and Yellow Tag work.
• Pass the switching and tagging test for all tags. Exception of draw-out list.
• Intermediate understanding of sectionalizing, fault isolation, and line restoration
• Operational knowledge and experience of the SCADA operational and reporting functions.
• Must be familiar with emergency procedures, operating rules, and testing procedures.
• Must be familiar with operating procedures as they relate to VELCO, ISO-NE, NERC, and FERC.
• Understand the function of system protection and basic fuse/relay protection.
• Progress to System Operator Second Class Second Year by passing the test within 12 months. Test may be taken sooner with the required recommendation of Lead and Supervisor.

Power System Operator 2nd/Class - 2nd Year

Shall be qualified in all aspects of field operations relating to personnel safety and effective operation of GMP's power system. Concentration at Second Class second year is full electrical knowledge of the system. A Second Class second year Power System Operator will demonstrate the ability to:

• Able to complete all previous level tasks unsupervised
• Able to perform switching, tagging and sectionalizing
• Able to cover shifts alone performing all operational functions

As a System Operator 2/C, the following are being learned:

• All SCADA operations and comprehensive understanding of all reporting functions.
• Complete operational understanding of GMP lines including flows, sources, device limits, protection devices, and loading.
• Strong understanding of interconnected system.
• Locate all GMP substations and transmission lines from memory.
• Perform switching and tagging at all levels.
• Must be able to effectively operate the SCADA system, computer equipment, job related software applications, and other technology tools.
• Assist in writing switching plans associated with planned work.
• Complete operational understanding of system protection on GMP system and on critical points on interconnected systems.
• Understand the hierarchy of ISO-NE, VELCO and GMP including ISO and VELCO functions.
• Knowledge of all major generators, transmission lines and capacitors that may affect GMP regardless of ownership including load flow effects.
• Progress to System Operator 1/C by passing the test after 18 months. Test may be taken after 15 months with the required recommendation of Lead and Supervisor. Test will include solving advanced electrical system sectionalizing and knowledge of the power system to solve theoretical system problems.

Power System Operator 1st/Class

Shall demonstrate an in depth knowledge of how GMP's power system is interrelated with other electrical systems. Responsibilities include the development and execution of complex switching and sectionalizing schemes recognizing the complex interaction of electrical systems. It is expected that guidance will rarely be required. Demonstrated skills at this level will show operational maturity with GMP's systems at all levels.

As a System Operator 1/C, the following are being demonstrated:

• All duties as described in previous levels.
• Must remain alert for system problems and contingencies. Recognize abnormal conditions and report the condition to proper supervisors or in their absence, take appropriate actions.
• Must recognize possible flood conditions and take pre-cautionary actions or post condition actions to minimize the effect. This may include notification to public officials.
• Responsible for testing and sectionalizing faulty lines and equipment with minimal impact on customers and equipment.
• Maintain and monitor safe work practices, provide proper working clearances for company personnel.
• Directly responsible for substation to substation interconnection switching. Maintain records of system configuration changes.
• Must be familiar with relying schemes associated with company's transmission facilities.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of ISO-NE operation with regard to generation, purchase power cost, and the ability to adjust hourly generation to minimize the economic and operational impact on the company.
• Must have knowledge and ability to adjust and implement special and/or interruptible contracts as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (Minimum education, experience, technical and communication skill levels and licenses/certificates normally required to perform the duties of this position.)

• Ability to work in a fast-pace, detail-oriented environment, meets strict deadlines and copes with frequently changing priorities.
• Must be able to adapt and respond readily to changing situations/multiple priorities in a stressful work atmosphere.
• Ability to work as a team player on multiple teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and organize work.
• Advanced computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, database and SCADA system.
• Advanced problem solving skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of technical math and algebra.
• Requires a high degree of honesty and dependability.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively without supervision.

This level of knowledge is normally acquired through an Associate Degree in electrical engineering or equivalent; and with a minimum of two years of utility Control Center operating experience or related operating experience with the electrical system.

Working Conditions (Typical working conditions associated with this type of work and environmental hazards, if any, that may be encountered in performing the duties of this position.)

Internal Work is normally performed in climate controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is very limited. Occasionally noise level is high and includes sounds of computer equipment (printers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of job duties.

External System Operators will visit outside facilities to maintain familiarity with equipment and construction projects as they pertain to the position. They will also verify electrical drawings and equipment marking as it pertains to switching. System Operators, while in training, may join various crews to understand various components, needs, and work processes of other departments. External work is generally planned and consists of less than 10% of total hours.

Physical Demands (The physical effort generally associated with this position.)

Work involves standing and walking for brief periods of time, but most duties are performed from a seated position. Work may include occasional pushing, pulling, or carrying objects weighing up to 20 pounds such as files, documents, and computer printouts. Work normally requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate computer keyboard at an advanced skill level. Deadlines, disgruntled employees, and workloads during peak periods may cause increased stress levels.

Working Relationships/Contacts (Positions, other than supervisor and immediate co-workers, with which incumbent has frequent contact and the reason for contact.)

Internal Occasional contact with personnel throughout the Corporation regarding specific job runs, prints or distribution of fiche and to initiate and coordinate special request processing.

External Frequent contact with customers, other utilities, and emergency agencies.

Supervision of Others N/A

About Green Mountain Power

Green Mountain Power serves more than 275,000 residential and business customers in Vermont with electricity that's 100% carbon free and 80% renewable on an annual basis. GMP is partnering with customers to provide solutions that deliver resiliency and affordability while cutting carbon and costs for all. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. GMP was named to Fast Company's 2024 Most Innovative Companies in the World list, the sixth time earning that honor. In 2024, 2023 and 2021 the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) honored GMP as a nationwide leader in energy transformation. And, in 2022 GMP was named to TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies for its groundbreaking resiliency work to transform the grid for customers.

Don't meet every single requirement? At GMP we are dedicated to building a workplace with all different kinds of people and all different kinds of backgrounds, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Green Mountain Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The hourly rate of pay is $52.36 - $71.30.