System Operator

Are you looking for an opportunity with the ability to grow and advance based on your efforts? Are you looking for a career rather than a job, a place you can call home until retirement? We are seeking a System Operator to join our Operations team, but we aren't looking for just anyone – we're looking for someone who wants to make a difference in their community. If you're available and willing to work any schedule which will include rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays – we invite you to keep reading to learn more.

Our System Operators are a critical resource for our members and our operations team. As the first point-of-contact for members or employees in stressful situations, your ability to offer a calming, compassionate response and guidance is key.

What will you do if you're hired?

• Coordinate outage restoration activities including crew dispatch and the operation of the Cooperative's transmission and distribution systems using SCADA and an Outage Management System.


• Dispatch Operations personnel and issue proper documents for any after-hours reconnects.


• During outage events, operate the Cooperative’s SCADA and DMS systems to restore service to un-faulted line sections per the Cooperative’s back-feed procedures.


• Provide for the security and custodianship of the Cooperative's property, electrical equipment, and facilities during hours that the Cooperative is closed.


• Create switching plans for scheduled work.


• Prepare spreadsheets and reports; complete other clerical assignments as required.


• Receive calls from field crews and our members and determine what actions to take.


• Review, submit, and follow up on property damage insurance claims.


• Prepare outage summary information as requested by members and the Virginia State Corporation Commission.


• Monitor surveillance cameras and alarm systems and report any abnormal activities to the supervisor(s) and proper authorities.


• Monitor the functionality of the OMS, SCADA, DMS and other systems installed in the System Operations Center and alert the appropriate Cooperative personnel for repair of malfunctioning systems.


• Handle all after-hours consumer inquiries and complaints in a professional manner.


• Keep the Supervisor of System Operations aware of ongoing System Operations Center business including outage details, abnormal system conditions, member interactions, security risks, etc.


• Work a varying shift schedule as required to maintain 24/7 operation of the Cooperative’s System Operations Center.

 Our ideal candidate answers "yes" to the following questions:

• Are you willing to commit to the eighteen-month apprenticeship program?


• Are you self-motivated?


• Are you noted for your willingness to take initiative without prompting?


• Are you unfailingly dependable? (We give much because we expect much. If you're constantly giving your employer reasons or excuses why you didn't complete your task or show up to work, read no further, you aren't a match for us.)


• Are you proficient with Microsoft Excel?


• Do you possess solid data entry skills? (If you routinely say you're not a computer person, this isn't going to be a fit.)


• Do you read and understand maps?


• Have you earned your High School diploma or GED?


• Do you have the ability and patience to troubleshoot whatever problem is set before you?


• Do you prefer to be inside in a climate-controlled environment?


• Are you comfortable sitting for twelve hours viewing large monitors?


• Do you reside within 60 minutes legal driving time of our headquarters office in Crewe, VA. Or, are you willing to locate to this area at your own expense? (Trust us, when it's storm time, you'll want to be as close as possible.)

Direct experience of these systems is preferred, but if you're eager and enthusiastic about learning, formal training is provided

• SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)


• OMS (Outage Management System)


• GIS (Geographic Information System)


• NISC CIS (National Information Solutions Cooperative Customer Information System)


• Two-way radio and telephone communications

Veterans with the following MOS are encouraged to apply: 12P, 12Q, 91D, 14J, 14L, 3E012, 3E032, 3E052, 3E072, 3E0X2.

Inexperienced System Operators will be enrolled in a formal eighteen-month apprenticeship program which will take place in addition to on-the-job training. Candidates with an associate degree in Electronics Technology, Engineering, or other related technical or applicable discipline or knowledge of substation, transmission, and distribution systems and equipment will receive priority consideration.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a 24/7 call center environment, confined to immediate work area, and requires continuous staffing. You will work nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating swing shift that is either 7am to 7pm or 7pm to 7am. This is a guarantee, not a possibility. Please consider your family and personal obligations before applying. 


• Work may involve sensitive contact with members and employees via telephone, who are in crisis.

Because you love your work and have a passion to serve your community, you are willing to work longer shifts when needed, knowing the very vital contribution you make to restoring electric service to our neighbors.

In addition to the schedule, this can be a mentally demanding job. You must be able to:

• deal with adversarial confrontations.


• work in isolation in an enclosed environment for extended periods of time (there are no windows in the System Operations Center and usually no one else working with you).


• remain calm in the face of outages caused by events that are disastrous or merely inconvenient.


• concentrate and prioritize multiple tasks at once. Conscious attention to detail is required to safely perform tasks.

Documents to establish identity and employment eligibility are required. Offers of employment are conditional upon a negative alcohol and controlled substance test. All SEC employees are subject to random alcohol and drug tests throughout the year.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or veteran status.

At Southside Electric Cooperative, our members are our priority. We are not intimidated by adverse situations, and we know extra hours will be necessary during emergencies. Like you, we are always ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work when the workload demands. While other businesses close their doors during inclement weather, we report to work to serve our members, any time, night, or day.

Benefits

Because SEC employees take great care of our members, we reward them with a very competitive salary and an excellent benefits package that includes:

·         Employer sponsored Retirement plan after one year of service.

·         Employer contributions to employee 401(k) accounts after one year of service. (Employees may contribute after completing a full calendar month of service.)

·         HDHP Anthem HealthKeepers health insurance with 100% employer paid premium for employees and 95% employer paid premiums for their eligible dependents. (Anthem KeyCare is also available with a small employee premium.)

·         Anthem Dental and Vision, with 100% employer paid premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

·         HSA with annual employer contribution.

·         Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).

·         Basic Life Insurance and AD&D insurance, each at 3x annual salary for employees with 100% employer paid premium.

·         Affordable life insurance for dependents including $20,000 life insurance per child for only $2 per month, regardless of the number of children covered.

·         Tuition reimbursement including books and fees.

·         Premium LifeLock with Norton

Starting pay - $30.37

NO RECRUITERS OR AGENCIES!

Documents to establish identity and employment eligibility are required. Offers of employment are conditional upon a negative alcohol and controlled substance test.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability status, veteran status, or other legally protected status.