Sr System Operator

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Senior System Operators lead the monitoring, controlling and supporting the 24/7 operations of the Consumers Energy electric power distribution system to meet power demands. The incumbent is responsible for the reliability of Consumers Energy’s high voltage distribution (HVD) and low voltage (LVD) electric systems to include complying with all applicable NERC standards and are responsible for analyzing and monitoring of complex transmission, HVD and LVD substations, lines, equipment and interconnection points with transmission providers for both normal and emergency restoration conditions. Administers the switching and tagging on the CE, HVD and LVD electric systems to ensure outages are executed in a safe, efficient and reliable manner as set forth by the policies, procedures and guidelines of Consumers Energy, NERC, ITC, MIOSHA, MPSC and MISO Lead the monitoring of SCADA and ADMS for conditions of lines and equipment throughout the system and makes adjustments or directs workers to make adjustments as conditions warrant. Direct field personnel to deenergize malfunctioning equipment or adjust switches to ensure the safety of maintenance crews and avoid interruptions of service during repairs. Notify maintenance crews of location and de-energization of troubled area and verifies that workers are clear of repaired equipment before directing energization of circuit.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain training materials, lesson plans, job aids, exercises, and qualification assessments.
• Deliver technical instruction, simulator exercises, operational drills, knowledge checks, and competency evaluations.
• Identify skill gaps and provide training supporting new technologies, procedures, operating practices, safety, reliability, and compliance.
• Maintain required training, qualification, compliance, and audit documentation.
• Participate in event investigations, root cause reviews, and lessons learned to identify workforce development needs.
• Responsible for identifying, analyzing complex data, isolating and restoring service on the Consumers Energy HVD/LVD electric system
• Lead the administering of the switching and tagging process on the Consumers Energy HVD & LVD electric system to ensure outages are executed in a safe, efficient and reliable manner as set forth by the policies, procedures and guidelines of Consumers Energy
• Operate various complex computer systems including the Outage Management System (OMS), Global Positioning System (GPS), SCADA, ADMS, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), integrated Tools for Operations Applications (iTOA), Microsoft Office Tools and effectively communicate with internal and external customers
• Monitor SCADA and ADMS for operating conditions of lines and equipment throughout the system and makes adjustments or directs workers to make adjustments as conditions warrant
• Lead the repair and restoration of failed equipment
• Formulate, write and approve complex switching plans
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Operating an electric system to include knowledge of SCADA operations
• Understanding of electric distribution systems, system components, work practices and operating principles Ability to read substation wiring diagrams
• Knowledge of integrated Tools for Operations Application (iTOA)
• Knowledge of Outage Management System (OMS)
• Knowledge of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
• Knowledge of Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS)
• Oral and written communication skills
• Adult learning, instructional techniques, facilitation, operator qualification, and regulatory requirements – Broad Knowledge.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into effective classroom and simulator training – Expert Knowledge.
• Coaching, mentoring, and developmental feedback – Expert Knowledge.
• Change management and organizational learning – Broad Knowledge.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree with four (4) or more years of experience in Switching & Tagging on CE’s electric system.
  • [OR] Associate’s Degree with six (6) or more years of experience, with a minimum of 4 years Switching & Tagging on CE’s electric system.
  • [OR] High School Diploma or GED with eight (8) or more years of experience, with a minimum of 4 years Switching & Tagging on CE’s electric system.

Preferred Experience

• Experience as an instructor, coach, mentor, or subject matter expert supporting employee development.