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System Operator Trainee Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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System Operator Trainee information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a System Operator Trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Operator Trainee, you need a solid understanding of electrical systems, power grid fundamentals, and typically an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology or a related field. Familiarity with SCADA systems, energy management software, and NERC certification is often required or preferred. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help trainees excel in high-pressure, team-oriented environments. These competencies are crucial for maintaining grid reliability, ensuring safety, and responding rapidly to system disturbances.

What are some common challenges faced by System Operator Trainees in their first year on the job?

As a System Operator Trainee, one of the main challenges is mastering complex monitoring systems and learning to respond quickly and accurately to real-time changes in the power grid. Trainees must also adapt to rotating shift schedules, which can impact work-life balance. Collaborating with experienced operators and staying updated on protocols is key, as the role involves both independent decision-making and close teamwork under pressure. Building confidence in handling emergency scenarios and communicating effectively with field crews are also essential skills developed during the first year.

What is the difference between System Operator Trainee vs Power Plant Operator?

AspectSystem Operator TraineePower Plant Operator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical trainingHigh school diploma; technical training or certification
Work EnvironmentControl rooms, training facilitiesPower plant facilities, control rooms
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, energy companies, training programsPower generation plants, energy sector
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference is that a System Operator Trainee is in a training phase, learning to monitor and control systems, while a Power Plant Operator is a fully qualified professional responsible for operating power plant equipment. The trainee role focuses on gaining experience, whereas the power plant operator role involves hands-on operational duties.

What are system operator trainees?

System operator trainees are entry-level professionals who are undergoing training to manage and monitor the operations of systems such as electrical power grids, water treatment plants, or other critical infrastructure. They work under the supervision of experienced operators, learning how to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of these systems. Their responsibilities typically include observing control panels, responding to alarms, recording data, and assisting with routine maintenance. The goal of the training is to prepare them for full operator roles by providing both hands-on experience and classroom instruction.
What are popular job titles related to System Operator Trainee jobs in Colorado? For System Operator Trainee jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching System Operator Trainee jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for System Operator Trainee jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for System Operator Trainee jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most System Operator Trainee job openings:
Infographic showing various System Operator Trainee job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 51% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.
Power and Gas Marketer Trainee, I, II, III, or Senior

Power and Gas Marketer Trainee, I, II, III, or Senior

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.

Westminster, CO • On-site, Remote

$109K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

On a forward-looking basis, the Power and Gas Marketer is responsible for short-term and day-ahead electricity and natural gas transaction negotiation, including applicable transmission and transportation service to support scheduling activities required to support Tri-State's Member Systems' load and other obligations.  This position will be responsible for ensuring reliable and adequate power supply is available, while also optimizing cost required for meeting Tri-State's obligations.  Additionally, this role will implement pre-day-ahead and day-ahead operating plans of Tri-State's electricity market strategies, as well as perform scheduling functions across multiple electricity market structures.

Note : There is one position available, and this position will be filled at one of five job grade levels: Power and Gas Marketer Trainee: job grade 6, Power and Gas Marketer I; job grade 7; Power and Gas Marketer II, job grade 8; Power and Gas Marketer III; job grade 9 or Senior Power and Gas Marketer; job grade 10. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes : Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Power and Gas Marketer

Hiring Salary Range: $109,000-$139,000

Power and Gas Marketer III

Hiring Salary Range: $98,000-$124,000

Power and Gas Marketer II

Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000

Power and Gas Marketer I

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$99,000

Power and Gas Marketer Trainee

Hiring Salary Range: $72,000-$88,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with electric distribution cooperatives and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to nearly a million electricity consumers across roughly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity, Tri-State is now headquartered in Westminster, Colo., employing approximately 1,000 people across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas, hydropower, wind, and solar. This power reaches members via a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and almost 6,000 miles of high voltage transmission lines.

As a member-owned and -governed cooperative, every member has a voice and an equal vote in the future of Tri-State.

Education and Training

  • BA/BS degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of experience and/or education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

  • Ability to develop highly credible and effective relationships with marketing counterparts.
  • Flexible, inquisitive and able to thoroughly understand electricity market dynamics.
  • Proficient in computer applications including database and spreadsheet applications and word processing.
  • Strong analytical, quantitative and economic evaluation skills.
  • Working knowledge of Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) generation/transmission and gas pipeline systems.
  • Familiarity with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and WECC policies and a general understanding of how they apply to Tri-State.

Other:

  • Willingness to be on call.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend and frequently utilize a keyboard/computer. Specific vision abilities include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is required to problem solve, read, write, and analyze data, work under schedules and deadline pressure, present information to others, work independently and use discretion and judgment for confidential or sensitive projects/issues.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed to an office environment indoors and will occasionally travel outdoors to multiple locations dependent on work.

  • Responsible for term, day-ahead and pre-scheduling wholesale electricity and natural gas products with focus on optimizing Tri-State resources, as well as executing hedging strategies, as needed, to meet all customer load requirements in the most economic and reliable manner possible in a variety of electricity market structures pursuant to Tri-State's Energy Risk Management Policy.
  • Responsible for establishing, executing, managing and communicating Tri-State's operating plan prior to each operating day.
  • Submits required and optional bids and offers in the day-ahead market within required timelines as well as negotiates and executes bilateral transactions, as required.
  • Provides mitigated offers, including applicable offer parameters, prior to the operating day.
  • Responsible for optimizing, procuring and utilizing merchant electricity transmission rights and natural gas transportation rights required to support Tri-State's operating plan prior to each operating day under applicable electric transmission and gas transportation tariffs through respective software platforms.
  • Responsible for accurately submitting all required electric market schedules and natural gas nominations through applicable software applications.
  • Monitors status of schedules and executed transactions and take action to mitigate changes in advance of the operating day
  • Documents relevant information and unique circumstances related to Tri-State's operating plan that provide additional explanation, clarification and instructions to those managing current day operations and post-operating day settlement activities.
  • Responsible for accurate submittal of unit outages in required reporting applications.
  • Supports post-operating day analysis, feedback and data requests, updates to bid/offer strategies, and provide supporting information to assist settlement activities.
  • Performs pre-schedule load and resource check-out and validation with Balancing Authorities.
  • Complies with applicable regulatory requirements (i.e., FERC, NERC, NAESB) as well as applicable electricity and natural gas reliability directives, operating orders, marketplace protocols and Tri-State business practices.
  • Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures and attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to functional area.
  • Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job. 
  • Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Perform other related duties as assigned, contributing to Tri-State's mission of providing reliable, affordable, and responsible electricity.
  • Provide updates to procedures and guidelines, as required, to management and training staff, for review, update and approval to maintain current state representation of training documents.
  • Must complete required Learning Management System (LMS) coursework as assigned, particularly Standards of Conduct (SOC) and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).
  • Must read, agree and execute acknowledgement of Tri-State's Risk Management Program and Energy Markets Code of Conduct along with adhering to other applicable policies, programs, guidelines or procedures that ensure compliance.