Operator - II, III or Senior (Architecture)
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We're about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas' Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!
We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.
We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:
- Competitive and transparent pay with bonus opportunities
- Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- Relocation bonus (if applicable)
- Hybrid working environment for positions that are eligible
- Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a pension (defined benefit plan) fully funded by SPP
COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.
- Operator II - Pay Range: $68,600 -$85,750
- Operator III - Pay Range - $ 85,800 - $ 109,450
- Sr. Operator – Pay Range - $ 95,200 - $ 123,700
Join our team as a Power System Operator!
We're seeking Power System Operators who thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment to support the reliable, real-time operation of a dynamic bulk electric system. Operators play a critical role in managing grid reliability, customer coordination, and ensuring compliance with the SPP Transmission Tariff and ancillary services markets. This position requires strong analytical thinking, sound judgment under pressure, and a commitment to continuous learning. Operators rotate through several desks with distinct but interconnected responsibilities: Real-time Balancing Market (RTBM) and Western Energy Imbalance Service (WEIS) or Balancing Coordinator (BC) or Reliability Coordination (RC). Operators are required to work a rotating shift, and this adds to the inherent stress/fatigue associated with operating a dynamic power system.
Key Responsibilities:
On a continuous around-the-clock basis, the Operator has responsibility for the following:
- Support and run RTBM, WEIS, Balancing or Reliability desk functions using available tools.
- Have a complete working knowledge of the interactions between Reliability, Balancing, RTBM,
- and WEIS functions.
- Monitor and maintain SPP Area Control Error (ACE) and Current Operating Plan (COP)
- Verify inputs for completeness and accuracy of RTBM, WEIS, RUC, Reliability Congestion
- Management studies.
- Run RTBM, WEIS, Reliability Unit Commitment (RUC), Reliability Congestion Management studies
- within required parameters and timeframe.
- Verify RTBM, WEIS, RUC, Reliability Congestion Management study results for completeness and
- accuracy.
- Collaborate and communicate as needed.
- Assist management with special assignments or requests.
- Test existing RTBM, WEIS, RUC, Balancing, or Reliability functionality as needed.
- Test new RTBM, WEIS, RUC, Balancing, or Reliability functionality as needed.
- Learn tariff and market rules as appropriate.
- Provide recommendations for improvements to processes and procedures.
What We're Looking For:
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Operator II · One (1) year experience as OPER I or equivalent industry experience
- Operator III - Three (3) years' combined experience as OPER I or II or equivalent industry experience -
- Sr. Operator – Eight (8) Years combined experience as OPER I, II, III or equivalent industry experience
- Ability to work a rotating shift schedule
- Good communication skills
- Motivation to take appropriate action when required
- Ability to make decisions with limited supervision
- Ability to be a mentor to younger operators
- Ability to work with a broad spectrum of individuals with diverse interests when resolving problems
- Understanding of and compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures
- Understanding of, compliance with NERC Policies
Professional Certification Requirements:
- NERC Reliability Coordinator Certification, or the ability to secure such certification within three months of employment
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field, such as electrical engineering
- Knowledge of SPP Criteria, SPP OATT, and Market Protocols, NERC Operating Policies, scheduling practices and pro forma tariff procedures widely practiced in the industry
Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Travel Requirement:
This position requires minimal travel (approximately 5%)
SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.
Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.
Education
Required- High School or better
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
