System Operator

Job Title: System Operator I

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Operations Technology Manager

Position Type: Non-exempt

Supervises: N/A

Effective: July 2024

GRADE: 9

Purpose of Position:

To ensure delivery of safe and reliable electricity to members, businesses, and industry. To provide dispatch services and assistance to employees and members related to safety, power outages, and power quality issues during regular business hours and after hours.

System Operator Rotational Schedule

Week 1 -1st Shift (40-hour work week)

Week 2- 1st & 3rd Shift (40-hour work week)

Week 3 -3rd Shift (40-hour work week 4.5 hr. OT)

Week 4 OFF (From Wednesday 7:30am-Back to Work Monday 4:30pm)

Week 5-2nd Shift (40-hour work week)

Minimum Job Specifications:

These specifications are not intended to cover all aspects of the position as the scope and duties may change or be altered based on the business needs of the cooperative. The following requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

• High School diploma or equivalent with one years' related Associate degree or higher is preferred.
• Must possess excellent oral, listening, and written communication skills to communicate effectively with co-op personnel and members via telephone, two-way radio, and email.
• Must have a pleasant telephone presence.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must be a good team member by being courteous and conscientious in order to promote a positive image of self and the Cooperative while assisting and working with members, co-workers, groups, and other personnel.
• Should be capable of working independently with little or no supervision, with a willingness to accept responsibility and accountability.
• The successful applicant must be able to distinguish colors based on the SCADA system utilization of colors for representation of Recloser statuses, alarm identifiers, and other control system attributes.
• Must live within 30 minutes from the South Kentucky RECC Somerset office building utilizing Google ™ maps.
• Proficient with personal computers encompassing working knowledge of up-to-date windows operating system including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be able to clearly communicate with various system personnel, including contractors, government agencies, law-enforcement agencies, members, and management.
• Ability to apply reasoning and logic during analysis of system conditions, including identification of existing or potential issues, and promptly achieve an effective resolution.
• Efficient organizational skills, including but not limited to maintaining accurate reports and records.
• Ability to effectively perform under pressure and in emergency situations.
• Capability and preparedness to adapt to evolving software and programs.

Working Conditions:

• General office conditions with some business travel.
• A scheduled work week is 40 hours. Due to business necessity, the work week may exceed 40 hours. Overtime may be required on short notice.
• Working hours are based on a rotating shift schedule and include holidays and weekends.
• Occasional standing and walking.
• Occasional use of hand-eye coordination.
• Occasional lifting (i.e., copy paper boxes).
• Frequent use of office machines including but not limited to two-way radio, personal computers, and other computer equipment
• Primarily sitting at work station.
• Performing under pressure and in emergency situations.

Working Relationships:

Internal:

• Employees - Communicating clearly with employees by answering questions, troubleshooting, researching problems, and offering assistance as needed.

External:

• Members, Foreign Utility Companies, City, County, State, and Federal Government Agencies as needed, Contractors and Inspectors, Emergency Response Personnel.

The following requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

The following are the essential duties of this position. The essential duties do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. The scope and the duties of a given position may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of South Kentucky RECC. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

Essential Duties:

1. System Operator I Related Duties:

• Provide dispatch services during outages and after hours by use of OMS, SCADA, IVR, telephone, two-way radios, and security surveillance to ensure safe and efficient outage restoration.
• Troubleshoot, test, and monitor automated field devices.
• Utilize South Kentucky's Advanced Metering Infrastructure to perform remote connects, disconnects, voltage monitoring and outage restoration verification.
• Complete daily log sheets, outage and emergency maintenance work, substation logs, work and service orders, inspection calls, and others, as assigned.
• Perform all work in a safe manner, while reporting unsafe situations, environments, and work procedures.
• Advise appropriate personnel of maintenance needs on equipment.
• Respond to routine field personnel requests and inquiries during normal working hours and dispatch routine service orders as required.
• Stay abreast of current SCADA, GIS, OMS, IVR, CIS, MDM, and AMI programs as well as current historical and record keeping software's and procedures.
• Communicate daily work (i.e., construction, right-of-way, and contractors) to be performed with the appropriate departments for informational purposes.
• Evaluate resources required to handle emergency events including but not limited to storm restoration efforts.
• Communicate and provide clearance information, switching orders, or field process changes to engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers.
• Possess a working knowledge of all Distribution Automation protection schemes and operation processes.
• Ensure available crews are dispatched to pending jobs/outages.
• Establish necessary three-point communication with all field personnel.
• Coordinate with large power accounts and other members for planned outages and/or outage restoration.
• Collaborate during shift changes.
• Maintain knowledge of system changes including but not limited to peak loads and voltage reduction
• Process outage reports.
• Assist in emergency switching under direct supervision of Director of Engineering.
• Relay status of current outages and emergency situations to management and public relations personnel.
• Verify shift log at beginning of each shift change, ensuring effective power control operations.
• Assist in implementing and initiating storm restoration efforts.
• Perform lockout/tagout procedures via SCADA and OMS during operation requests, maintenance, and during distribution automation scheme operations.
• Answer all calls to South Kentucky RECC after hours and handle requests appropriately.
• All other duties as assigned by the Dispatch Coordinator.

1. Teamwork Related Duties:

• Good written and verbal communications skills are important
• The ability to learn South Kentucky Rural Electric's policies and procedures as they pertain to the position will be required for this position
• Must be a good team member by being courteous and conscientious in order to promote a positive image of self and the Cooperative while assisting and working with members, co-workers, groups, and other personnel.