Seasonal Power System Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do?
Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We've worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs.
As a team, we work together to leverage the team's diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development.
Hiring Salary Range:
Level I: $77,400 - $116,100
Level II: $102,400 - $153,600
Level III: $117,800 - $176,700
Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.
PURPOSE:
Assists in the Operations Planning function, including outage coordination and engineering support to the System Operations Center. Ensures generation and transmission maintenance and construction outages are scheduled without compromising system reliability. Supports Dairyland Power Cooperative's reliable operation of the transmission system through operating studies, operating guides, seasonal power flow models, outage coordination, Dispatcher support and coordination with internal teams, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in the preparation, review and update of Dairyland Power Cooperative procedures, operating guides, outage instructions and other documentation pertinent to Operations Planning.
• Utilize the Energy Management System, including network applications such as State Estimator and Real-Time Contingency Analysis. Assist in the operation and maintenance of network application functions that support the System Operations Center.
• Perform the Outage Coordination function by reviewing generation and transmission outage requests, identifying reliability impacts, providing special instructions to Dispatchers and coordinating planned work with MISO, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives, Dairyland field crews and internal stakeholders.
• Provide operational support to Dairyland field crews by assisting with facility maintenance scheduling, reviewing outage timing and providing input on preliminary switching sequences for complex maintenance and construction outages.
• Participate in the periodic review and improvement of the Outage Coordination process. Ensure the function is adequately covered during normal working hours, including high-volume outage planning periods and periods of changing system conditions.
• Assist in operating studies of planned system configurations and develop seasonal power flow operating models to determine optimal normal transmission system configurations, evaluate reliability risks and support operating guide development.
• Support the development and maintenance of Dairyland's Power System Restoration plan. Participate in industry working groups and Power System Restoration drills as necessary.
• Provide support to the System Operations Center during transmission emergencies, Dispatcher training, drills and documentation of system disturbances. Translate technical information into clear, practical Dispatcher guidance.
• Support Transmission Planning and Project Managers by reviewing future transmission and substation additions, planned outage periods, construction sequencing, seasonal restrictions and compatibility with other planned transmission outages.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level I
Education & Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical (power option preferred) Engineering or directly related major required. Previous experience in the Energy industry preferred. Willingness to work toward professional registration required.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with standard computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear technical documentation, procedures and operating guides.
• General understanding of power systems, transmission operations, outage coordination, EMS applications and power flow analysis preferred.
• Ability to evaluate outage impacts, system configurations, reliability risks and operational constraints.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work with limited supervision and adapt to changing operating conditions.
• Ability to work effectively with field crews, the System Operations Center, Project Managers, internal teams, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.
• Ability to support routine planning work, emergent system needs, off-duty support and required travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level II
Education & Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical (power option preferred) Engineering or directly related major required with a minimum of four (4) years' experience in one or more of the following areas: a) electric system operations; b) system planning; c) system engineering; d) other electric utility operations related area. Professional Engineer Registration is preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• General understanding of power system operations, transmission reliability, outage coordination, EMS network applications and operations planning required.
• Experience with steady-state power flow analysis, EMS network applications and seasonal operating assessments preferred.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications required, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required, including the ability to prepare clear technical documentation, procedures, operating guides, outage instructions and study reports.
• Ability to evaluate outage impacts, planned system configurations, reliability risks, construction sequencing and operational constraints.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work with limited supervision and adapt to changing conditions in a fast-paced operations environment.
• Ability to work effectively with Dairyland field crews, the System Operations Center, Project Managers, Transmission Planning, Dairyland Compliance, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.
• Ability to support routine planning work, emergent system needs, off-duty support and required travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level III
Education & Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical (power option preferred) Engineering or directly related major required with a minimum of seven (7) years' experience in one or more of the following areas: a) electric system operations; b) system planning; c) system engineering; d) other electric utility operations related area. Professional Engineer Registration preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• General understanding of power system operations, transmission reliability, outage coordination, EMS network applications and operations planning required.
• Experience with steady-state power flow analysis, EMS network applications and seasonal operating assessments preferred.
• General computer literacy required, including experience with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required, including the ability to prepare procedures, operating guides, outage instructions, study reports and documentation related to operations planning.
• Ability to evaluate outage impacts, planned system configurations, reliability risks, construction sequencing and operational constraints.
• Ability to work with limited supervision, manage routine and variable tasks and adapt to changing situations in a fast-paced operations environment.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with DPC field crews, the System Operations Center, Project Managers, Transmission Planning, Dairyland Compliance, interconnected companies, distribution cooperatives and MISO.
• Ability to support off-duty needs as required and minimal travel as needed.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Dairyland Benefits:
We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include:
- Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability)
- Life insurance
- Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans
- Paid Time Off
- Robust Wellness Program
- New Flexible Work Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- So much more!
Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.