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Nerc System Operator Jobs in Montana (NOW HIRING)

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Nerc System Operator information

See Montana salary details

$9

$30

$76

How much do nerc system operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for nerc system operator in Montana is $30.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.88 and $35.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a NERC System Operator?

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?

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 Montana? For Nerc System Operator jobs in Montana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Nerc System Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nerc System Operator job openings in Montana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,402 per year, or $30 per hour.

Manager, (System Operations) Balancing Authority Market Operations and Compliance

BizTek People, Inc. | APA International Placement Consultants

Great Falls, MT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description


Title: Manager, (System Operations) Balancing Authority Market Operations and Compliance
Duration: FTE
Location: Great Falls, MT
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary
• The Manager, Balancing Authority Market Operations and Compliance position will manage, research, design, document, develop procedures, draft on-the-job training materials, conduct and evaluate training to support the implementation and on-going operations of its North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) registered balancing authority (BA) into the California Independent System Operators (CAISO) Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and other new energy markets including the CAISO's Energy Day Ahead Market (EDAM).
• The position attends, schedules, and participates in business meetings, and collaborates with the CAISO, consultants, and stakeholders to develop policies and procedures for BHE Montana's participation in WEIM and potentially EDAM.
• A primary function of this position is to assist with the management of the Company's Montana control center and the EIM Analysts and System Operators who perform real-time operation of the Company's balancing authorities, generation projects, WEIM participation, and scheduling of third-party energy resources, while ensuring grid reliability and continuous compliance with all North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) balancing authority (BA), generation owner (GO) and generation operator (GOP) reliability standard requirements.
• The position is responsible for real-time NERC Compliance Reporting and submitting forms, documents and outage coordination for the Company's balancing authority. This position also requires compliance knowledge and implementation of Alberta Reliability Standards (ARS), and AESO ISO rules for dispatch of Generator Owner, and Generator Operator operations in Alberta.
• The position will support training activities for Company employees and interns, monitoring and overseeing mandates by NERC, WECC and other applicable regulatory agencies and standards regarding operation, control and monitoring of the balancing authority and generation facilities, and assisting with the development, tracking, and monitoring of compliance training/programs, policies, procedures, and standards to meet compliance requirements.
Essential Functions
  • Review and provide feedback on theCompany's current NOC operations for revenue optimization opportunities.
  • Maintain and build productiverelationships with regulatory and commercial partners (Western Power Pool,ADI, Alberta Ex, CAISO) and act as supervisor for real-time operationalissues with partners.
  • Maintain and build productiverelationships with transmission partners such as Northwestern, theMontana-Alberta Tie Line (MATL), and the Western Area Power Authority(WAPA).
  • Support the transition of the Company'snew generation projects into NOC operations and assist in businessdevelopment of new opportunities including third-party energy services.
  • Maintain NERC System OperatorCertification (Balancing and Interchange Operator or Reliability Operator)at all times, and complete continuing education hours required to maintainNERC System Operator Certification.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • The Manager, Balancing Authority MarketOperations will complete the Company's NOC Manager Task Qualificationtraining program and training to qualify as a System Operator on thescheduling, AESO, WEIM and balancing authority desks. Training must becompleted within 6 months. Upon completion of training, the position willbe available in a back-up capacity to cover shifts.
  • Manage BHE Montana's WEIM participation,compliance and reliability in real-time during both normal and emergencyoperating conditions. Manage daily balancing authority reliability duringboth normal and emergency operating conditions.
  • Manage the T-5, T-15 and hourly resourcestrategy to optimally balance the Company's resource position within WEIMrules and all NERC, FERC, WECC and other regulatory complianceobligations. Manage outage coordination for planned and unplanned outageswithin all regulatory compliance obligations.
  • Support the development and annualreview of BHE Montana's Energy Imbalance Market procedures and on-the-jobtraining materials for the WEIM Operations Analyst and System OperatorTraining Program. Manage the creation and revision of training materials asneeded for NERC Compliance and asset optimization.
  • Manage the hourly resource strategy tooptimally balance Company's resource position within all NERC, FERC, WECCand other regulatory compliance obligations.
  • Manage real-time system disturbancesinvolving generation, substation, and transmission equipment, coordinatingoutages in conjunction with the Transmission Operator and ReliabilityCoordinator.
  • Ensure compliance with NERC and WECCreliability standards for BA & GOP as it relates to procedures,policies and guidelines, and real-time logging and other record-keepingprocedures for NOC Operators/Operations, Implement new/updated reliabilitystandards. Take actions to mitigate and communicate any identifiedregulatory non-compliance event.
  • The position will perform dailycompliance assessments and review company performance, draft potentialnon-compliance documents for WECC, AESO and other regional areas asrequired, and support annual NERC Compliance audits, reviewing riskassessments, monitoring compliance activities, and identifying areas ofpotential non-compliance.
  • Draft, produce and submit for review theBalancing Authority NERC Compliance program assigned monthly, quarterlyand annual Balancing Authority Compliance Reports. Attends Compliance andother committee meetings as assigned.
  • Support the implementation and utilizeas required, Generation Management and Energy Management systems. Adaptprocesses and protocols to coordinate with network automation and theimplementation of outage management, forecasting, Generation Management andEnergy Management Systems.
  • Support the schedule, coordination andmanagement of BHE Montana's switching operations and procedures. Supervisescheduling of energy and execution of operational tasks by operators.
  • Review company logging and work safetyprocedures and report any issues to management.
  • Represent BHE Montana's grid and energyoperations with external groups
  • May serve as the Company'srepresentative for third-party coordination meetings. May serve as liaisonbetween reliability entities and commercial partners to ensure properbalance and optimization of assets given reliability constraints andforecast outages.
  • Support reporting/settlement duties forthe Company's generation projects and third-party generation operationsprojects, as requested.

REQUIREMENTS
  • Bachelor's degree inenergy/environmental studies, economics, business, finance, electricalengineering, or other relevant degree. Progressive work experience isneeded for candidates applying for this position who do not have abachelor's degree.
  • 10 years of proven experience in energymarkets (preferably WECC, CAISO, and AESO), energy marketing &trading, renewable energy (wind, solar, and battery), or comparableexperience. Demand Response and Microgrid experience helpful. 5+ years ofexperience managing real-time operations.
  • Balancing authority operations,scheduling, or power marketing experience is preferred. Must haveknowledge of energy markets including familiarity with regulatorypolicies, rates and tariffs, electric transmission, pooled markets, andrenewable energy generation technologies including wind, solar and/orbattery.
  • Knowledge, understanding and experiencewith NERC and Alberta Reliability standards and related compliance as itpertains to balancing authority operations, and Generation Owner(GO)/Generation Operator (GOP) requirements.
  • Previous experience working in acommercial negotiation environment with excellent customer-focused,commercial management, negotiation and influencing skills, is required.Previous experience negotiating, reviewing, and closing on PPA (PowerPurchase Agreements) preferred.
  • Ability to manage a network of potentialenergy off-takers. These entities include, but are not limited to,merchant, Load Serving Entities, cooperatives, utilities.
  • Ability to evaluate Energy Market trendsand identify potential target customers. Uses various forms of marketing(in-person, online, etc.) to secure balancing authority services andenergy customer contracts.
  • Knowledge of power system economics,especially economic dispatch and generator efficiency characteristics andreal-time energy trading. Technical skills and knowledge related tounderstanding electric generation and power system operations.
  • Knowledge of applicable California ISOprocedures and practices, with experience in one or more of the followingenergy markets preferred:
    • WECC interconnection
    • Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM)
    • Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)
    • Electric Reliability Council of Texas(ERCOT)
    • Midcontinent Independent SystemOperator (MISO)
    • PJM
  • Experience as a Power System Operator(with three years BAA experience preferred including Energy ManagementSystem (EMS) experience, in a BA environment)
  • Experience preferred in high voltagegrid, control, and switching operations.
  • Experience with power management OTsystems (SCADA, EMS, Automatic Generation Control (AGC), Historian, etc.)preferred.
  • Strong leadership experience in managingteams for collaborative success.
  • Strong business acumen and appreciationfor entrepreneurial approach to optimizing operations.
  • In-depth knowledge of regulatorycompliance issues
  • Solid analytical and math skills andexcellent computer capabilities
  • Adept and experienced in working in ateamwork environment.
  • Proven ability to effectively manage anddirect emergency operations.
  • Performs well under tight deadlines andemergency conditions, is capable of making decisions in a time-compressedenvironment.
  • Strong communication skills for voiceand electronic communications within the Company and with third-partyentities, including the use of three-part communication.
  • Ability to effectively coordinate/managemultiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Must be adaptable to change and have theability to prioritize responsibilities.
  • Must be highly detail oriented.

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