ECC BA Operator Trainee

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise:
Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

APS is looking for a BA Operator Trainee to join their ECC team! The Balancing Authority is responsible for maintaining generation-load-frequency control, ensuring accurate transmission scheduling and participating in the Energy Imbalance Market.

• Experience operating a Balancing Authority and making real-time control decisions to maintain system reliability within design limits.
• Knowledge of FERC, NERC, and WECC policies, and a proven track record of adhering to regulatory procedures in power system operations.
• Authority and confidence to initiate emergency load reduction when energy resources fall short of demand, ensuring grid stability under pressure.
• Expertise in monitoring generation and reserves, and ensuring compliance with interconnected system agreements and power pool criteria.
• Strong communication and coordination skills with system marketers, especially around unit commitment, plant status, and Energy Imbalance Market operations.

Expected to complete qualifications within assigned time frames. The position works on rotating 12‑hour shifts.

• High school/GED and four (4) years' experience in a related field such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work OR BS/BA/AA in a related technical field or operations/business management and two (2) years' experience in a related field such as power plant operations, system electric field work or other electric operations work management.
• Ability to obtain the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification within six (6) months of hire and to complete all continuing education as required by NERC and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).
• Continue educational and professional development beyond the level of basis (entry level) training.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.

• Two years' experience as a NERC certified operator within the WECC.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills; PC literate.

• Analyze conditions; take control action to operate the APS Balancing Authority within design limits.
• Follow all FERC, NERC and WECC operating policies and procedures.
• Exercise full authority to implement emergency load reduction when energy resources cannot meet load requirements.
• Continually monitor online generation to ensure required system operating reserves; and ensure the interconnected system and associated power pool operating agreements, criteria and guidelines are met.
• Interface with system marketers to ensure proper communications regarding power plant status and generating unit commitment, and Energy Imbalance Market activities.
• Provide complete and accurate documentation of all system events, problems, transactions, commitments, and communications relating to real‑time system operations, generation and scheduling of APS and interconnected system energy resources. Documentation is for management, state and federal regulatory review.
• Update available transmission postings, process requests for transmission service, and implement transmission and energy interchange schedules in computer.

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws.

All applicants will be required to…