System Operator

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)! NOVEC's mission is to create value for its members, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable electricity and quality products at competitive prices.

NOVEC is a locally owned electric distribution system headquartered in Manassas, VA. NOVEC provides reliable electric service to more than 180,000 homes and businesses in Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. NOVEC's service reliability is the best in the region with a 99.99% average system reliability.

As a leader on the high-tech frontier, NOVEC is using proven, cost-effective technology to improve productivity and reliability, reduce expenses, and increase cybersecurity – a national priority. Today’s technology includes what the industry calls "smart grid", as well as fiber optics, and mobile workforce.

We are currently looking for a System Operator who will address and respond to customer inquiries and complaints on service disturbances, formulate service restoration plans, coordinate activities for normal maintenance or emergency repairs, analyze outage data and recommend system updates to improve service reliability and ensure efficient, economical, and reliable electric service that exceeds customer expectations while maintaining the highest level of customer service.

This position is part of a 2-year apprenticeship program.

Initially, for the first 6 months, the training schedule will most likely be 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday (4 days, 10 hours per day). After the first 6 months, the selected candidate will be qualified to take a shift. The shift is unknown at this time. The selected candidate must be flexible to work the necessary shift needed at the time (whether it is day, night and/or weekend hours).

• Assist in monitoring and analyzing outages.
• Dispatch planned work and outages to NOVEC and contract crews.
• Enter outage information and updates in Outage Management System to provide a complete and accurate outage history.
• Under direction of the supervisors or System Operator III, monitor and operate NOVEC distribution system using SCADA and Smart-Grid devices. Write and execute switching orders.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers to provide exceptional customer service.
• Monitor security and fire alarms, and serve as point-of-contact for emergency and hazardous field conditions.

All levels of experience are welcome to apply! Selected candidate will enter apprentice program based on education and experience below:

High School Diploma or GED with a mathematical or technical background is required. Associates degree in engineering or electrical technology is preferred. Two years of experience in a technical customer-service oriented position is required. Previous experience in an emergency response or crisis management environment is highly desired.

High School Diploma or GED with a mathematical or technical background and completion of necessary requirements of the System Operator Apprenticeship Program is required. Associates degree in engineering or electrical technology is preferred. One year of experience as a System Operator is required. Directly related or equivalent experience may be substituted for required experience.

High School Diploma or GED with a mathematical or technical background and successful completion of the System Operator Apprenticeship Program is required. Associates degree in engineering or electrical technology is preferred. Three years of experience as a System Operator is required. Directly related or equivalent experience may be substituted for required experience.

• Ability to operate a computer and related software systems such as MS Office, Outage Management System and future software as needed to record, update or analyze information.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate to and interpret information…