System Operator II

PowerSouth Energy Cooperative

Andalusia, AL

System Operator II

(Energy Services Department)

PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, headquartered in Andalusia, AL, is a generation and transmission (G&T) electric cooperative with 22 distribution members - 18 electric distribution systems and four municipal electric systems - in Alabama and northwest Florida. PowerSouth's member systems provide power to end-use consumers across 51 counties in Alabama and 10 counties in Florida.

PowerSouth's most important asset is a workforce of more than 560 men and women at nine PowerSouth locations. Safety is PowerSouth's number one core value, and its employees set the bar for safety excellence and have achieved an impressive safety record.

JOB SUMMARY & MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The purpose of this position is to operate PowerSouth's electric system in a safe, reliable and economic manner. This includes transmission operations, real-time balancing of load and resources as well as monitoring, operating and responding in real-time to disturbances and instabilities of PowerSouth's electrical system. This position is responsible for coordinating appropriate action throughout the system during normal and during system disturbances. This position is responsible for providing an appropriate mix of generation and energy and capacity purchases to meet real-time system requirements in a reliable and economic manner. This position requires a Bachelor's degree in a technical related program, such as but not limited to Engineering, Mathematical Science or other comparable curriculum. In lieu of the Bachelor's degree requirement, a minimum of five (5) years of appropriate experience in the following areas will be considered: substation operations, system protection, or power plant operations. The incumbent must score acceptable on a placement exercise. The incumbent must be able to interpret, analyze, evaluate and monitor market data regarding energy sources to ensure that efficient operations are maintained and comply with NERC Operating Standards. The incumbent must be able to achieve NERC System Operator Certification within a maximum of three (3) attempts as well as maintain certification.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintains technical training in monitoring and operating a real time supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System (EMS). Monitors and regulates PowerSouth's electrical system through the use of SCADA, EMS, and other reliability tools to ensure proper operating limits of the bulk electric system.
Performs analysis and prepares reports and records for the section to provide accurate and timely plans and information for future reference, including records of system disturbances that impact the reliable operation of the bulk electrical system.
Responsible for operating the electric system according to the NERC Operating Standards and Requirements with authority over PowerSouth personnel including: linemen, substation, power plant, telecommunications, EMS, system protection personnel and others as required to ensure system reliability.
Maximize the operation of generation resources and utilize capacity and energy contracts to ensure efficient use of PowerSouth resources to meet load requirements in real-time in the most economical manner. This includes purchasing and selling energy to meet economic dispatch objectives.
Responsible for ensuring the success of PowerSouth by promoting teamwork, group goals and objectives, proper communication and cooperation within the department, division, throughout the PowerSouth organization and with member systems.

BENEFITS: