System Operator or Trainee

System Operator or Trainee

Company Summary

South Central Indiana REMC (SCI REMC) is a not-for-profit electric distribution, member-owned cooperative. The cooperative is a leader in distribution technology and is headquartered in Martinsville, Indiana. SCI REMC serves seven counties including Morgan, Monroe, Owen, Brown, Johnson, Putnam and Clay with over 3,650 miles of energized lines and 35,500+ electric members and about 12,500 fiber subscribers. In addition to the core businesses of electric and fiber, SCI employs vegetation management personnel to provide exemplary services to support reliability and member satisfaction.

Position Summary

The System Operations team supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of SCI REMC’s electric distribution system from a 24-hour control center. The position monitors real-time system conditions; operates authorized devices through SCADA; dispatches crews, work orders, service orders, and outage tickets; coordinates distribution switching; and manages outage, trouble, storm, and emergency response communications. The incumbent maintains accurate operating models, logs, outage reports, lock-out/tag-out records, and work management data while communicating clearly with employees, members, contractors, emergency responders, power suppliers, and other utilities. Success requires strong technical aptitude, sound judgment, attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to prioritize multiple information sources while remaining calm and professional in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive environment. This position will work rotating 12-hour day and night shifts, including weekends and holidays. Trainees are expected to successfully complete progressive training, testing, and simulations to qualify.

The ideal candidate is looking for a career at an electric cooperative and brings a passion for serving members and keeping our employees and the public safe and keeping the lights on. The applicant’s enthusiasm for a long-term learning career is important. SCI is willing to train minimally experienced applicants who have demonstrated determination, and who are analytical, detailed, dependable and are able to handle multiple events and maintain focus to accurately communicate with personnel in safety-sensitive positions. Candidates must have a strong desire to learn system operation and achieve System Operator II certification within three years of hire and System Operator I within five years of hire, or less depending on experience and training level. Candidates must be comfortable working in a windowless, secure office environment for 12-hour shifts days or nights.

The System Operations department provides 24 hour/7 days a week service to line operations. Upon completion of extensive new hire training, experiencing both day and night shifts up to 1-year, most qualified candidates must expect and be willing to work a night shift schedule (6 pm to 6 am) on a regular basis. Shifts are assigned based on qualifications and considering the service time in the department.

System Operator Trainee

System Operator Trainee is the entry level into the department with limited or no relevant experience. After the basic training and knowledge of department procedures, basic electric line fundamental knowledge the incumbent will progress to a System Operator III, at the discretion of the Supervisor, System Operations. Once a person has completed the training to be a System Operator III, access to the live control features of SCADA will be granted. Further position progressions to System Operator II and I require demonstrating knowledge, understanding and execution of specific and extensive testing administered by the Supervisor, System Operations. Continual progression is an expectation and requirement for the position.

Newly hired System Operators must be willing and able to complete all required qualification training, testing and simulation for System Operator III, System Operator II and System Operator I within 3 to 5 years of employment, depending on knowledge level. All new employees in System Operations must work in System Operations on a full-time basis and progress with a broad-skill base to prepare for the testing to attain a System Operator Level II, depending upon previous related experience and opportunities to evaluate and observe in storm situations.

This key position’s general responsibilities include:

• Continuous monitoring of the SCI electric grid in real-time and operating automated electrical devices via SCADA to maintain a stable system.
• Dispatching of work orders, service orders, and outage tickets to system construction, service workers, and repair crews as needed. Maintaining accurate and thorough daily communication logs and complying with OSHA lock-out/tag-out requirements.
• Managing outage situations, including contacting repairs crew for outages using the callout program, Outage Management system, CIS, AMI, and SCADA system.
• Coordinating distribution power line switching operations via two-way radio telephone, or other electronic forms of communication.
• Assisting the Supervisor, System Operations and System Operators in maintaining an accurate system operations model to ensure correct locations of distribution lines and devices.

Qualifications

Education--High school diploma, or equivalent is required.

Experience--Minimum of two years’ experience within an electric utility operations/engineering department with familiarity in transmission or distribution of energy or similar experience preferred. Keyboard competency with various office software systems and record keeping skills are required. Must be willing and able to embrace new technology and skills. Understanding of electrical systems operations/practices and standards and two-way radio communications is preferred. Experience with rural electric distribution system is strongly preferred.

Core Competencies—Every team member at SCI REMC is expected to perform work in alignment with identified Core Competencies.

• Living SCI’s Mission and Values
• Protecting People and Property
• Member/Subscriber Focus
• Operating as One Team
• Quality Orientation
• Operating with Integrity

Key Job Competencies

• Adaptability-- Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing changes in work tasks or the work environment.
• Communication—Relaying information that is clear, complete, adapted to the audience and context and conveyed in a professional manner.
• Decision Making-- Using sound judgment and assessing situations in a logical manner.
• Resilience-- Ability to maintain high levels of performance despite difficult situations, under tight time constraints and irrespective of other stress related factors.
• Relationship skills—Building effective relationships and adapts communication style to the context and audience.
• Sense of Urgency—Approaches work with a compelling need to act promptly and effectively.

Additional Qualifications:

• Must have the ability to operate multiple computer applications on multiple monitors simultaneously and the ability to learn new software quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to perform in a stressful environment is required. Must be able to work efficiently in a fast paced/ high stress environment with safety-sensitive positions.
• Must be able to handle detailed information generated from different sources and maintain a calm and professional mind to verbalize, prioritize and communicate the proper action to be taken to coworkers who are working in safety-sensitive situations.
• Must be able to communicate effectively via two-way radio.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with management employees, members, contractors, personnel from other organizations and the public.
• Must be able to distinguish primary colors to accurately identify objects and lines on the system map.
• Must be willing to work various schedules for the 12-hour day or night shift operations, as assigned, and be available to work weekends and holidays.
• Must be available during inclement weather with short notice to work during power outages, storms, or other emergencies as needed.
• Must be able to organize and schedule work and work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to tolerate stress and to remain calm, efficient, and courteous under pressure.
• Must demonstrate a high safety awareness with the responsibility of dispatching and operating systems that can cause serious or fatal harm to employees and the public.
• Must be regular in work attendance.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Why SCI?

SCI REMC offers excellent benefits including a front-loading defined-benefit pension plan, 401(k) matched savings, healthcare, HSA with a generous employer contribution and much more. Joining the co-op family will prove to be a welcoming, friendly experience where employees are focused on providing the best service to all members and subscribers. Join this unique, not-for-profit business that truly values employees and encourages life-long learning and development.

Apply confidentially ONLY through the SCI REMC website: https://www.sciremc.com/careers.

SCI REMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation) age, national origin, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Selection is focused on individual merit, experience/education, initiative, and work performance. SCI REMC complies with all federal and state laws.