Transmission System Operator Trainee

Educational Requirements:

Requires the knowledge that is acquired by a post-secondary (3 year) electrical technologist diploma or OACETT electrical technologist accreditation or 2-year electrical technician diploma plus other relevant electrical system related experience/qualification/licenses/accreditations

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification is a requirement to qualify as a Transmission System Operator.  Current NERC certification is an asset.  Otherwise, successful candidates will be expected to obtain NERC certification as part of the Transmission System Operator Trainee Training Program.

General Accountabilities as a Transmission System Operator Trainee:

The Transmission System Operator Trainee position is a development classification that involves participating in the Hydro One Transmission System Operator Trainee Training Program during which you will:

• Perform duties as necessary to successfully achieve, in stages as defined by the established training program, Transmission System Operator status.
• Obtain your NERC certification as required.
• Work in a both a daytime classroom environment and in a 12-hour, 24-7 rotating shift environment in the Control Room as required by the program.
• Proactively participate in all learning opportunities.

General Accountabilities as a Transmission System Operator:

On a 24-hour, 7-Day a week basis:

• Exercise full Transmitter operating duties to maintain the reliability of the Transmission System and related assets, as defined by NERC and other governing bodies. This includes but is not limited to the following:
• Determine the Transmission capability that supports the reliable operation of the Transmission Operating area.
• Operate or direct the operation of Transmission facilities in the Transmission Operating area.
• Adjust Real Power, Reactive Power and Voltage to maintain reliability in the Transmission Operating Area.
• Arrange for Interconnected Operations Services (IOS) from the Generator Operators (e.g. Voltage schedules and VAR demand schedules).
• Develop Transmission System contingency plans.
• Provide Total Transfer Capabilities, System Operating Limits and the methodology for calculating the available Transfer Capability for respective transmission paths.
• Initiate manual block and rotational load shedding schedules as required.
• Initiate emergency voltage reduction measures as required.
• Initiate independent action to mitigate emergent conditions as required.
• Assess the post event impact of and work with affected parties to establish control and restoration after the operation of the automated special protection systems.
• Coordinate/perform routine and emergency switching procedures with large generating stations, interprovincial and international operating entities as required.
• Respond to station security access alarms and initiate any necessary actions.
• Monitor weather forecast impact on transmission system and notify stakeholders and service providers including recommending safe posture operating modes/recalling equipment.
• Respond to Emergency Transmission Underground Cable locates as required.
• Monitor transmission equipment auxiliary and protection systems for integrity and initiate actions to mitigate failures.
• Work with the Integrated Telecom Management Center through the designated contacts to prioritize the provincial communications infrastructure as it relates to transmission operations.
• Monitor and recommend priority of response to emergencies or incidents such as cyber-attacks, fires, spills, accidents, injuries, bomb threats, and implement emergency procedures as per the Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Integrate planned, unplanned and short notice outages into the daily outage program and provide final outage approval for all Transmission System assets as required.
• Dispatch, direct/monitor personnel (e.g. switching agents, field crews) in the operation and response as required.
• Administer the Utility Work Protection Code as required.
• Maintain an operating log.
• Input, monitor, update, verify, and extract data and provide input to reports using computer application programs, ensuring that accuracy and timeliness are maintained.
• Refer more complex technical problems or issues associated with corporate policy, procedures or interpretation to supervisor/manager or support services as required.
• Provide operational expertise to all departments as required.
• Assist in the development of policies, procedures and operating agreements, improved processes, tools etc.
• Identify problems, issues and opportunities for improvement/corrective action.
• Assist stakeholders by contacting appropriate resource people with regards to system/equipment malfunctions.
• Effectively respond to internal and external customers and stakeholders
• Actively participate in investigations, enquiries and reviews as required.
• Perform step-up into the Transmission System Operator Supervisor role as required.
• When assigned, provide duties as assigned in the ‘mentoring program’. Volunteers will be sought prior to assigning employees.
• Provide direction to, collaborate with and share knowledge and expertise with trainees to assist in their development independent of formal mentoring duties.
• Provide input into the Transmission Operator Training programs as required.

In association with the Reliability Coordinator:

• Assist the Reliability Coordinator in executing widespread System Restoration efforts.
• Execute emergency procedures as directed by the Reliability Coordinator.
• Execute restoration efforts of Transmission System elements.
• Provide recommendation to and carry out requests from the Reliability Coordinator related to maintaining voltage and stability limits on the transmission system.
• Assess impact on deployment instructions from the Reliability Coordinator.
• Monitor transmission system operating limits and recommend actions to the Reliability Coordinator.
• Define Total Transfer Capabilities and System Operating Limits based on facility information provided and assistance from the Reliability Coordinators.

In association with Distribution Operations:

• Provide operation of or direct the operation of assets, as required, under the control of other jurisdictions.
• In conjunction with Distribution Operators, restore connectivity to distribution assets resulting from power system events.
• Assess the impact to the Transmission System by the deployment of Distribution elements.
• Assess the impact to the Distribution System by the deployment of Transmission elements.
• Determine condition and recommend on availability of equipment in associated with Distribution connections.
• Perform other duties required for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Transmission System.

Selection Criteria

• Requires the knowledge that is acquired by a post-secondary (3 year) electrical technologist diploma or OACETT electrical technologist accreditation or 2-year electrical technician diploma plus other relevant electrical system related experience/qualification/licenses/accreditations
• Previous experience working in a Power System Operations control room environment is an advantage.
• Applicants require excellent interpersonal, communication and customer relation skills to interact effectively with co-workers, internal and external customers.
• Requires demonstrated problem solving skills with an emphasis on thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Must continue to maintain qualifications / certifications applicable to the Transmission System Operator Position
• Requires computer skills to be able to utilize databases, input and extract data and produce reports on an on-line computer terminal as well as operate network system programs as required to record, update and report statistical information ensuring that accuracy and timeliness are maintained.