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System Operator I / Next Gen

Job ID: 6089214

Date Posted:Sep 4, 2025

POSTING DEADLINE

This position is posted until filled.

DEPARTMENT

Department: System Operations

JOB DESCRIPTION

System Operator I

Salary Grade: G07

Minimum Midpoint Maximum

$69,581 - $92,194 - $114,808

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. Annual cyber security training is also required.

SUMMARY:

Under frequent and detailed direction, controls and operates the Company's transmission resources (voltage levels 46kV and above) and monitors the generation resources from a reliability perspective. Coordinates and matches firm and interruptible resources with load on a minute-by-minute basis in a safe, reliable, and economic manner. Achieves and maintains operating standards in compliance with all existing regulatory, reserve sharing-agencies, and company standards concerning spinning reserve, area control error, interchange schedule tagging, generator operation, disturbance recovery and inadvertent/deviation flow. Operates the transmission system, which includes responsibility for VAR flow, losses, maintaining acceptable voltage levels, monitoring of operating transfer capability, OASIS administration, maintaining positive operating nomogram margins, etc. Coordinates and directs switching operation and maintenance of the transmission system. Serves as PNM¿s liaison and balancing/transmission control agent between other balancing and/or market entities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Implements real-time actions, up to and including shedding firm load, to ensure stable and reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System

Responsible for ensuring compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Operating Standards and other regional standards

Directs all actions for safety and reliability of the electric grid, of any hosted entities, field crews, or merchant scheduling organizations operating within or using the company¿s balancing area in matters that affect electric grid reliability

Responds to requests by other utilities and wholesale marketers to use company-owned transmission system in accordance with established FERC guidelines via OASIS and ERCOT protocols for transmission services

Administers FERC approved tariff rates and ensures compliance with strict Standards of Conduct and ERCOT protocols for transmission services

Follows all guidelines written by senior staff

Operates the system on a minute-by-minute basis to match firm and interruptible resources to obligations, balance generation and transmission shares between utility companies/market entities, and verify metered flow quantities from PNM to other utilities

Responds to generation and transmission disturbances within established regulatory, industry, reserve sharing groups, and company standards to assure a continuous supply of electricity to customers

Maintains positive Nomogram Operating Margin/Operating Criteria and system voltages using complex system equipment in the most efficient and economical manner

Advises co-workers and management of normal and abnormal system conditions

Maintains reactive reserves and monitors Remedial Action Schemes (RAS) to ensure system reliability

Documents and communicates to various groups, all company and inter-utility system developments that could impact the Company¿s inter-utility relationships or the security, reliability, and safety of the company¿s transmission system, or the ability to serve load

Monitors critical items, including Control Performance Standards, Operating Reserves, Operating Transfer Capabilities, Interchange Schedule Tags, Substation Facility/Equipment Status

Represents the Company in developing and enhancing working relationships with other utilities/market entities and various regulatory bodies, and accepts assignments on various inter-utility Operating and Engineering committees

COMPETENCIES:

Develops, maintains, and increases knowledge of the Company¿s generation and transmission system, electrical theory, and associated operating procedures and guidelines

Shows a strong desire for additional intensive training and progresses towards System Operator training within the first two years of employment

Strong sense of ambition, motivation, and confidence

Ability to work in a stressful and fast-paced environment

Ability to make sound judgments and crucial decisions in short amounts of time

Ability to understand and assimilate complex technical information

Ability to build and maintain relationships with teammates and external utility contacts

Ability to work with little supervision and only general guidelines at times

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or GED with sixty semester hours of college course work showing an aptitude for math and electrical theory, to include four to six years of previous work experience demonstrating basic electrical utility knowledge, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the discipline.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES REGISTRATIONS:

Must obtain and/or maintain North American Electric Reliability Corporation System Operator Certification within six to nine months of employment and prior to independently performing the Reliability functions. Failure to obtain/maintain North American Electric Reliability Corporation certification may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos

Strong oral and written communication skills

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume

Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Working knowledge of various database, spreadsheet, and word processing software

Ability to use various computer systems

ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY:

Gathers and analyzes many complex variables to recommend decisions on complex issues under rapid and severe time constraints. Combines complex data sets including weather, grid conditions, electrical voltages, customer load, power plant operation capabilities, system disturbance data, liaison utility conditions, etc. to determine actions required to ensure continuous operation and balance on the electrical grid. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

DECISION MAKING:

Has the authority to take or direct timely and appropriate real-time actions, without obtaining approval from the higher-level personnel within own operating authority vicinity. During emergency operating conditions, has additional independent authority to shed firm load to prevent or alleviate Operating Security Limit violations without higher-level approval.

SCOPE AND IMPACT:

Error potential for the System Operator I can impact revenue significantly, if not caught by the higher-level staff in a timely manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to accept the mental and physical rigors of rotating shift work, constantly changing system conditions, and varying operating guidelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Plant control room environment.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Next Gen System Operator

Salary Grade: G09

Minimum Midpoint Maximum

$53,540 - $70,940 - $88,340

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.

They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills.

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. Annual cyber security training is also required.

SUMMARY:

Under frequent and detailed direction, operates and maintains reliability, balancing, energy imbalance market and electrical transmission systems. Supports senior Operators in reporting, maintenance, data logging, interchanges, and compliance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitor System Performance: Use specialized equipment and controls to monitor balance, interchange, market participation, electrical transmission systems, including voltage, current, and frequency.

Assist in Operation & Maintenance: Operation of balance, interchange, market participation, transmission lines, substations, and related facilities to ensure stable and efficient power transmission.

Troubleshoot & Resolve Issues: Assist in identifying and resolving issues related to balancing, reliability, interchange, market participation and transmission system performance, under the guidance of senior operators.

Adhere to Safety Standards: Maintain safety guidelines, protocols, and procedures to ensure personal and team safety while working in high-risk environments.

Data Logging & Reporting: Maintain accurate logs of system performance, incidents, and maintenance activities, advises co-workers and management of normal and abnormal system conditions, and reporting any irregularities to senior staff.

Emergency Response Assist in responding to outages, disturbances, and other emergencies in the Bulk Electric System as needed to include basic emergency procedures.

COMPETENCIES:

Develops, maintains, and increases knowledge of the Company¿s generation and transmission system, electrical theory, and associated operating procedures and guidelines

Shows a strong desire for additional intensive training and progresses towards System Operator training within the first two years of employment

Strong sense of ambition, motivation, and confidence

Ability to work in a stressful and fast-paced environment

Ability to make sound judgments and crucial decisions in short amounts of time

Ability to understand and assimilate complex technical information

Ability to build and maintain relationships with teammates and external utility contacts

Ability to work with little supervision and only general guidelines at times

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

A high school diploma or GED with college coursework demonstrating proficiency in math and electrical theory, and/or 1 to three years of relevant previous work experience showcasing basic electrical utility knowledge, process operations, mechanical or industrial experience, or a comparable combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES REGISTRATIONS:

Must obtain North American Electric Reliability Corporation System Operator Certification within six to nine months of employment and prior to independently performing the transmission, reliability, balancing and EIM functions. Failure to obtain North American Electric Reliability Corporation certification may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos

Strong oral and written communication skills and with tested and audited mastery of three-part communication

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume

Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Working knowledge of various database, spreadsheet, and word processing software

Ability to use various computer systems

ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY:

Gathers and analyzes many complex variables to recommend decisions on complex issues under rapid and severe time constraints. Combines complex data sets including weather, grid conditions, electrical voltages, customer load, power plant operation capabilities, system disturbance data, liaison utility conditions, etc. to determine actions required to ensure continuous operation and balance on the electrical grid. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

DECISION MAKING:

Authority to take or direct timely and appropriate real-time actions, without obtaining approval from the higher level personnel within own operating authority vicinity. During emergency operating conditions, has additional independent authority to shed firm load to prevent or alleviate Operating Security Limit violations without higher-level approval.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to accept the mental and physical rigors of rotating shift work, constantly changing system conditions, and varying operating guidelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Plant control room environment.

24/7/365 Shift Rotation Coverage

Employees in Services Company may be responsible for providing services to various Holding Company subsidiaries and affiliates.

SAFETY AND ADA STATEMENT

Safety Statement:

Safety is a core value at (TXNM Energy/PNM/TNMP) and our vision, "everyone goes home safe", reflects our commitment to promoting an environment conducive to learning, improving and building safety practices. Our safety value is built upon the belief that every employee deserves to work in an environment free from harm.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement:

If you require assistance with the job application process due to a disability, please contact HR ADA Analyst, at 505-241-4627.