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System Operator Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

System Operator or Field Superintendent. Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt Pay: Bi-Weekly Site: Functions in the field out of our New Mexico facility, supporting West Texas and the New Mexico area. Hours ...

System Operator or Field Superintendent. Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt Pay: Bi-Weekly Site: Functions in the field out of our New Mexico facility, supporting West Texas and the New Mexico area. Hours ...

... operating conditions of remote monitoring equipment; performs reading, basic maintenance ... Performs basic security inspections and identifies deficiencies that may jeopardize system ...

New

... operating conditions of remote monitoring equipment; performs reading, basic maintenance ... Performs basic security inspections and identifies deficiencies that may jeopardize system ...

Provides basic training to Utility Workers and lower level Operators about the general operations ... When necessary, leads critical and complex evaluations to resolve system operations and maintenance ...

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System Operator information

See New Mexico salary details

$10

$31

$80

How much do system operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for system operator in New Mexico is $31.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.85 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a system operator?

A system operator works in the electricity industry and is highly trained to run a power grid to ensure the reliability and functionality of varying systems. As a system operator, you control and oversee the flow of electricity to a power plant or utility company that then supplies power to commercial and residential properties. Job duties include monitoring and controlling circuit breakers or converters, communicating with field crews and other personnel, fixing malfunctions, and reporting issues to supervisors. The preferred qualifications start with a bachelor’s degree in engineering; however, because most system operators gain experience through on-the-job training to start, a high school diploma may suffice. System operators continuously train and update their skills throughout their career to keep up with regulations and policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a system operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Operator, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a background in electrical engineering or a related field, often supported by relevant certifications. Familiarity with SCADA systems, EMS software, and compliance standards like NERC is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help you respond effectively to system alerts and coordinate with other teams. These competencies are crucial for maintaining reliable operations, ensuring system stability, and preventing service disruptions.

What are some typical challenges faced by a system operator, and how can they best prepare for them?

System Operators often face challenges related to managing real-time system reliability, responding to unexpected outages, and coordinating with multiple teams during high-pressure situations. Staying updated with the latest operational procedures and practicing clear communication are key to handling these challenges. System Operators can prepare by participating in regular simulation drills, thoroughly understanding grid protocols, and building strong relationships with field technicians and engineers. Being proactive and detail-oriented helps ensure quick, accurate responses when issues arise.

What is the difference between System Operator vs Network Operator?

AspectSystem OperatorNetwork Operator
CertificationsTypically requires technical certifications in systems or control technologyOften requires network or telecommunications certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks in control rooms, data centers, or industrial facilitiesWorks in telecommunications or network operation centers
Industry UsageCommon in utilities, manufacturing, and industrial sectorsCommon in telecommunications, internet service providers, and data networks
Job FocusMonitors and controls system operations to ensure stabilityMaintains and manages network connectivity and performance

While both roles involve monitoring and maintaining operational systems, a System Operator primarily focuses on controlling industrial or utility systems, whereas a Network Operator manages communication networks. The choice depends on the industry and specific technical skills required.

What are the most commonly searched types of System Operator jobs in New Mexico?

The most popular types of System Operator jobs in New Mexico are:

What are popular job titles related to System Operator jobs in New Mexico?

For System Operator jobs in New Mexico, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching System Operator jobs in New Mexico look for?

The top searched job categories for System Operator jobs in New Mexico are:

What cities in New Mexico are hiring for System Operator jobs?

Cities in New Mexico with the most System Operator job openings:

What are popular job titles related to System Operator jobs in NM?

For System Operator jobs in NM, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various System Operator job openings in New Mexico as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,885 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

SYSTEM OPERATOR/SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR/SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I/II

City of Farmington

Farmington, NM • On-site

$36.22 - $60.73/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


City Of Farmington (New Mexico) rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

344th of 848 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Job Description: JOB OPENINGCITY OF FARMINGTONJOB POSITION #131: SYSTEM OPERATOR/SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR/SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I/IINUMBER OF VACANCIES: 2DEPARTMENT: Electric Utility/System ControlWORK LOCATION: MOCSALARY GRADE/RANGE: DOE Non-ExemptSenior System Operator/602 - $60.73/HourSystem Operator/620 - $53.57/HourSystem Operator Trainee I/610 - $36.22/HourSystem Operator Trainee II/630 - $44.42/Hour TYPE OF POSITION: Regular, Full-TimeDAYS WORKED: VariedHOURS WORKED: Varied ShiftsAPPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGH: Until FilledResumes submitted without a City of Farmington application will not be considered in our job selection process.JOB DUTIESThe City of Farmington reserves the right to hire at the System Operator, Senior System Operator, or System Operator Trainee I/II level, depending on experience and qualifications.SYSTEM OPERATOR: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Has successfully completed the FEUS System Operator Trainee program, or has successfully completed an approved program at another utility. Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions. SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions. Has successfully completed at minimum three (3) years as a system operator or equivalent experience in another utility.SYSTEM OPERATOR/SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR: Salaried positions, will work a mutually agreed upon shift schedule. Salary covers all scheduled hours; hours worked in addition to the scheduled hours will be paid at time and a half.DAY SHIFT SYSTEM OPERATOR: Works under the direction supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions. Assists with daily System Operations duties and projects. SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Trains, practices, and assists to improve in learning buying and selling of power, monitoring and maintaining reliability of the system, and knowledge in returning and restoring load. Completes studies and NERC Certified training. System Operator Trainee I duration will be a minimum duration of one (1) years. The employee will be required to successfully complete the applicable trainee program(s). SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE II: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Trains, practices, and assists to improve in learning buying and selling of power, monitoring and maintaining reliability of the system, and knowledge in returning and restoring load. Has one year of System Operator Trainee I or equivalent. Completes studies and NERC Certified training. System Operator Trainee II duration will be a duration of approximately one (1) year. The employee will be required to successfully complete the applicable trainee program(s).SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I/II: Hourly positions, will work a mutually agreed to schedule. Schedule will include day and night shifts during training period. The employee will be required to successfully complete the applicable trainee program(s). The employee must pass the NERC System Operator Certification Examination in Reliability (RC) or Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission (BIT) within the training period for Trainee I or Trainee II. Failing to pass the exam on the second attempt will terminate the employee's employment with the City ofFarmington Electric Utility.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSSYSTEM OPERATOR/SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR: The following duties are the responsibility of the System Operator on shift. A Trainee I/II will perform, assist and learn these duties ONLY under the direct supervision of the System Operator as part of their training process.Works under the direction of the System Operations Supervisor.Ensures North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards pertinent to system operations are consistently adhered to:Purchases and sells electrical power, on a real-time basis, to meet the needs of Farmington Electric Utility customers.Monitors, on a real-time basis, the grid for system ties to maintain reliability to FEUS and the bulk electric system.Monitoring and maintains, within acceptable limits, the FEUS transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution voltage.Use independent judgment in curtailing and restoring load.FEUS System Operators have the full authority to take or direct whatever corrective actions are deemed necessary to protect and restore the electric system including but not limited to shedding load and operating any lines and equipment that are deemed critical to preserving the system and enhancing the restoration of the electric system following a disturbance or emergency condition pre or post contingency. These actions do not require prior supervisor approval and are at the primary operator's discretion. Assures NERC and WECC training requirements are met.Ensures the reliability of the transmission, generation, and distribution system and shall exercise such authority to alleviate capacity in dealing with energy and reliability emergencies without being required to obtain prior management approval.Dispatches energy over the electric utility system considering the load requirements, reliability of service and the most economical utilization of power resources.Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relation-ships with customers, co-workers, officials, and all members of the general public.Updates hourly loads, power resource schedules and ensures hourly resource adequacy to reliably meet customer demand.Ensures reserves are maintained as required by the Southwest Reserve Sharing Group.Monitors, enters and verifies hourly loads and resources for reporting to reserve sharing group to verify reserve requirements are met.Develops and executes arrangements within the WSPP agreement for power sales and purchases and any requisite wheeling and energy accounting requirements internally and externally. Uses NERC tagging guidelines to develop, implement, and verify, through the Western Interchange Tool, all power schedules and transactions. Prepares, processes, and coordinates switching procedures for transmission and distribution for routine construction, maintenance and emergency work on the system. Issues and records transmission and distribution hold tags and switching clearances.Restores electric service or reconfigures the system in the event of an electric system disturbance or failure, safely and promptly in an orderly manner through SCADA and field switching by giving radio directions to field crews. Records other information including hourly and daily electrical load, disturbances, failures and relay breaker operations.Monitors voltage, frequency, loads and Area Control Error (ACE) and performs minor adjustments using the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to ensure a reliable and balanced electric system. Manages FEUS reserves including requesting and activating reserves response for capacity emergencies within the Southwest Reserve Sharing Group (SRSG). Ensures FEUS Real-Time Analysis is conducted at least every 30 minutes. Ensure appropriate response to ensure reliability for identified contingencies in real time or next-day studies. Provide on-the-job training to newly hired System Operator Trainee/System Operator/Senior System Operators to ensure initial training requirements are met and necessary competencies are verified prior to new hires being qualified to work independently. Answers trouble calls by recording pertinent information in Operator Daily Logs and/or Report Forms and arranging for a repair crew as needed. Required to perform rotation shift work of days, evening and nights including weekends and holidays.Regular attendance at work is an essential requirement of this position.Travels as required for training for periods of up to one week. Operates a motor vehicle as directed to assist in carrying out the business of the division.The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I/II: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Trains, practices, and assists to improve in the duties above performed by the System Operator. Upon successfully completing the training and obtaining NERC Certification, Trainee I/II will be eligible to promote to a System Operator.The employee will be required to successfully complete the applicable trainee program(s). The employee must pass the NERC System Operator Certification Examination in Reliability (RC) or Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission (BIT) within the training period for Trainee I or Trainee II.The employee will be required to perform shift work in a rotation of days, evenings and nights including weekends and holidays following the completion of the Trainee period. The employee will work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, Days and Evening shifts during the Trainee period. Graveyard shifts will be scheduled for training purposes as needed with advanced notice. Full rotating shift coverage will be expected after passing the NERC Reliability CoordinatorOperator test.QUALIFICATIONSThis position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing and follow-up testing.This position is covered by NERC CIP cyber security standards. Prior to being hired, promoted, or transferred into the position, the candidate must successfully pass a Personnel Risk Assessment, which includes identity verification and a criminal background check. Prior to being granted unescorted access to cyber secure areas, the candidate must attend cyber security training.SYSTEM OPERATOR: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Has successfully completed the FEUS System Operator Trainee program, or has successfully completed an approved program at another utility. Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions. SENIOR SYSTEM OPERATOR: Works under the direct supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions. Has successfully completed at minimum three (3) years as a System Operator or equivalent experience in another utility.DAY SHIFT SYSTEM OPERATOR: Works under the direction supervision of the System Control Supervisor. Is current with NERC Certification related to transmission operator functions. Assists with daily System Operations duties and projects.SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE I: Electric Utility background preferred, knowledge of fundamental concepts and/or specific or job-related traits highly desirable. Demonstrated experience in a high stress environment. Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification preferred. SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEE II: Minimum of 2 years' experience in electric dispatch or 2 years electric utility experience directly related to the operation of distribution and transmission systems. Specific training or course work in electric theory and/or a related job qualification desirable. Preference may be given to candidates who meet the above requirements and have any the following: Expert knowledge of distribution and transmission systems.Strong knowledge of NERC and WECC policies and procedures.NERC Certified System Operator.Completion of electric utility trades apprenticeship in transmission and distribution, generation, relay, or substation.Education: Graduation from an accredited university with a bachelor's of science degree in electrical or power related engineering preferred or a minimum of two (2) years of technical training in basic electric power system design and operation. Accept rotating shift work.Must have a combination of classroom and on-the-job training in power system apparatus, relaying, control, and system emergency response sufficient to sustain or maintain a stable and reliable electrical system. Proficiency in SCADA systems including but not limited to resource/load balancing, var flow and control and operation of power equipment through Remote Terminal Units (RTUs).Experience in power system generation, including energy and voltage control; electric transmission and distribution systems' operation; and, electronic scheduling tagging is required.Experience and knowledge of interconnected power systems and emergency restoration procedures.Knowledge of telemetry used in Area Control Error (ACE) calculations, hourly integrations, historical archiving and system load calculations.Knowledge of power system economic dispatch and dispatching of generation for system reliability and voltage control.Experience with off-system sales and purchases preferred.Experience with reserve sharing pools preferred. Ability to react calmly, intelligently and efficiently under stressful conditions imposed by system disturbances, customers and/or other emergency conditions.Ability to direct field personnel. Ability to communi­cate effectively with others verbally and written. Ability to establish effective working relationships with others.Know Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and software applications using a browser, OATI tagging and on-line training such as S.O.S. If not knowledgeable, must learn within six (6) months of employment. Knowledge and understanding of basic math and basic algebra sufficient to reconcile daily/hourly loads and resources, to calculate basic electri­cal concepts such as ohms, current flows, voltages and power flows and to under­stand wheeling rates and contracts, losses and interchange ac­counts and power purchase and sales agreements.Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.If required through federal or state legislation, obtain a valid passport for travel. Extensive background check required. PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommoda­tions may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed mostly in office settings. Infrequent outdoor work is possible for training purposes at various substation and distribution sites and generation facilities.The employee must have the ability to hear and speak clearly in order to process informa­tion and dispatch energy over the electric utility system.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

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