Systems Operator

at  NAES Corporation

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Gridforce Energy Management’s mission is to ensure power flows consistently and reliably while enhancing our client’s profitability and reducing their risk exposure. Since 1999, Gridforce has been providing precision energy control and integration management services to micro-grids, load-serving entities and demand response clients throughout North America. Our employees are constantly iterating, solving problems, and working together to improve the business of our diverse client base from cities, municipalities and electric cooperatives, in addition to generation owners and operators.
We offer our employees opportunities for career development and training, providing new and valuable skills and experience. We are located in Houston, Texas - the second fastest growing city in the nation, with world-class medical, cultural, educational and research institutions and a young, energetic and diverse population. Gridforce is located in the heart of Downtown Houston which provides an energizing and engaging atmosphere where you will love to come to work. Gridforce Energy Management is a NAES Company.

OPPORTUNITY SUMMARY

The responsibility of a Systems Operator is to prioritize, manage, analyze and coordinate the operation of power generating units with power marketing organizations and plant personnel including the shutdown and return of power generating units in addition to monitoring and coordinating operation with owners of transmission facilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements include the ability to sit for long periods of time, communicate verbally and in writing and handle long periods of screen time.
This position supports a 24 x 7 business; must be willing to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule including weekends and holidays and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

EXPERIENCE

Required

• Requires NERC reliability coordinator and PJM transmission certifications.
• Requires specific working knowledge of regional reliability operating policies and representation on NERC and regional committees nationwide
• 5 year(s): Working knowledge of generating plants, RTO/ISO operations, and transmission or distribution operations.

EDUCATION

Preferred

• Bachelors or better in Business Administration or related field
• Bachelors or better in Engineering

SKILLS

Required

• Control Room Operations
• Power Plant Operations

Preferred

• Managing and responding to emergency procedures (up to and including curtailing firm demand)
• Monitoring and deploying reserves
• Coordinating start/shut-down of customer assets
• Scheduling outages
• Communicating with Independent System Operators, reliability coordinators, balancing authorities and transmission operators
• Preparing and analyzing operating reports/logs and, providing real time data to the Company and third party contracted counterparts
• Responsibility and authority to implement real-time actions to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System, including shedding load
• Participating in all required training to perform as a System Operator
• Real-time operational decision-making needs of customer facilities, including meeting NERC control performance measures and operating limits. Process requires the capability to effectively and efficiently manage a myriad of factors that impact performance and limits including energy schedule volumes, frequency, power flows and deviations.
• Managing compliance with all applicable NERC Reliability Standards. The position requires a specific working knowledge of NERC region and NERC criteria and requirements.
• Proper verbal and written communications between ISOs, customer generation facilities, customer power marketers, reliability coordinators, balancing authorities, and transmission operators
• Implementing emergency procedures as necessary/required
• Ensure that Gridforce policies are adhered to on shift
• Market new commercial services contracts with new and/or existing customers throughout the North American electrical industry
• Provide input into forward business strategies, marketing efforts, and analytical and structural support for improving service areas.