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Nerc System Operator Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... operating budgets and proposals for capital expenditure and investments in infrastructure ... Solid understanding of NERC/NPCC compliance requirements. * Solid understanding of the financial ...

Nerc System Operator information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$30

$78

How much do nerc system operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for nerc system operator in Iowa is $30.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $35.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Nerc System Operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a NERC System Operator, you need a solid understanding of electric power systems, grid operations, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field and the NERC certification. Familiarity with energy management systems (EMS), SCADA systems, and outage coordination tools is critical. Strong decision-making abilities, communication skills, and the capacity to perform under pressure help operators excel. These competencies ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the power grid in compliance with federal standards.

What is a typical workday like for a NERC System Operator?

A typical day for a NERC System Operator involves monitoring real-time grid conditions, responding to alarms, coordinating planned and unplanned outages, and communicating with field personnel and neighboring utilities to maintain system reliability. Operators often work in a control room setting, using advanced software and monitoring equipment to oversee power flows and facilitate rapid responses to disturbances. The role requires vigilance, as operators must be ready to take swift, decisive action during emergency events or system anomalies. Shifts may cover nights, weekends, and holidays due to the 24/7 nature of grid operations, but this dynamic environment also offers opportunities to develop specialized expertise and advance into senior roles within grid management or operations planning.

What is a NERC System Operator job?

A NERC System Operator is responsible for monitoring and controlling the electrical power grid to ensure a reliable and balanced flow of electricity. They follow North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards to prevent outages and respond to system disturbances. Operators communicate with power plants, substations, and other entities to manage grid stability and emergency situations. They typically work in real-time control centers and must be NERC-certified to perform their duties.

What are popular job titles related to Nerc System Operator jobs in Iowa? For Nerc System Operator jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Nerc System Operator jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Nerc System Operator jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Nerc System Operator job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, 50% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 78% Physical, 13% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,859 per year, or $30.7 per hour.
Asset Manager

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Summary
Accountable for the daily management and coordination of NYPA's overall operations, including Overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the operational performance; directing the preparation of operating budgets and proposals for capital expenditure and investments in infrastructure, technology, equipment, systems, or other assets and resources; analyzing and approving operational investments that best meet the organization's business needs.
Responsible for practicing a fiscally prudent, whole-life value Asset Management approach to optimize the performance, cost (capital and operating), and risk of the assets throughout their lifecycle while ensuring safety, reliability, resilience, environmental, and regulatory compliance to support achievement of customers, stakeholders, New York State, and organizational goals.
Responsibilities
  • Understand, communicate, execute tasks and/or implement specific elements of the New York Power Authority's (NYPA's) Asset Management System as defined in Business Unit Policies and Procedures
  • Provide leadership, motivation and collaboration which are critical for successful asset management and NERC Reliability Standards Compliance.
  • Establishing and updating the asset management plan(s).
  • Monitor the asset management performance metrics, diagnose deficiencies and identify actions for making improvements to attain targets.
  • Perform audits on work done by the Planners in managing and ensuring NYPA's regulatory compliance in connection with NERC functional entities.
  • Utilize risk-based and fact-based methodologies for asset life cycle analysis and maintain the asset risk register for the region.
  • Lead and responsible for a comprehensive assets registry
  • Improve the decision-making process for asset management based on quantifiable risk.
  • Manage the implementation and ongoing improvement of all data on physical assets to include asset onboarding, criticality, condition assessment, inspection history, repairs and failures.
  • Ensure the consistency and accuracy of data collected through the Enterprise Asset Management System (Maximo).
  • Enforce governance policies and procedures that align to Asset Management policy and strategy.
  • Coordinate ongoing activities requiring site reach to interface with: Operations, maintenance, engineering, warehousing, EH&S to ensure effective and economical use of materials and human capital.
  • Maintain current knowledge in Asset Management principles, practices, procedures and technology. With this knowledge, makes recommendations for implementation to the Asset Management System.
  • Key to the role is the development and execution of Reliability& Availability strategies which deliver maximum reliable uptime of assets.
  • Develop and maintain long-range (10 year) work plan and budget to ensure optimal performance of assets over entire life-cycle.
  • Coordinate development and prioritization of projects in support of the long range work plan.
  • Monitor operational performance data to determine optimal maintenance and replacement strategies for assets
  • Support the safe and environmentally responsible operation of the region's assets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Excellent Project Management skills with the ability to develop and lead project teams.
  • Ability to analyze technical information.
  • Ability to analyze financial information, including budgets (capital and O&M), investment analysis (cost/benefit, ROI, etc.) and life-cycle costs.
  • Ability to develop long-range (10-year plan) capital and O&M plans and project prioritizations.
  • Strong verbal and written skills with the ability to deal persuasively with individuals at multiple levels, to think strategically and present an integrated, properly formatted end-to-end story with concise data analysis.
  • Solid understanding of NERC/NPCC compliance requirements.
  • Solid understanding of the financial and operational impact of maintenance decisions.
  • Organized and detail-oriented.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in areas of change management.
  • Ability to utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) definition and tracking for Asset Management process improvement determination.
  • Working knowledge of industry standards related to Asset Management are required.

Education, Experience and Certifications
  • BS/BA degree in Engineering or Business.
  • Master's degree in Business or Engineering preferred.
  • 8 years of successful experience in a utility or related field preferred. (Operations and maintenance experience preferred)
  • Experience with Enterprise Asset Management Systems preferred (MAXIMO preferred), SAP experience (or ability to learn).

Physical Requirements
  • Significant travel expected (25% - 45% depending upon responsibilities), primarily within NY State to NYPA owned facilities by car, company plane and commercial transportation.
  • Up to 25% travel primarily within NY State.
  • Valid Driver's License.
  • Ability to travel for meetings and project coordination.
  • Availability to attend meetings outside of normal business hours.

The New York Power Authority is committed to providing fair, competitive, and market-informed compensation. The estimated salary range for this position is: $116,000- $159,500. The salary offered will be determined based on the successful candidates' relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents and veterans to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, NYPA/Canals is committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect communities across New York and enthusiastically serve them. We proudly celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race/color, creed/religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, military status, gender/sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy and related conditions, familial/marital status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest/criminal conviction record or any other category protected by law.
NYPA/Canals will also provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process related to candidates' disabilities, pregnancy-related conditions, religious observances/practices and/or domestic violence concerns. To request an accommodation, please email accessibility@nypa.gov.