Apprentice System Operator

Requisition ID # 167917 

Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Operations - Other

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: Fresno

 

 

Department Overview

Electric Distribution Operations / Control Center – Electric Distribution Operators direct delivery of electricity from substations to the customer at voltages up to 230,000 volts (Substation source) but primarily consisting of 4,000-to-21,000-volt electric distribution systems. The responsibilities of an Electric Distribution System Operator require the use of initiative, sound judgment, forward thinking, patience, and good communication skills in highly stressful environments. 

 

Position Summary

This is an IBEW Local 1245 represented classification, which has over 100 years of experience representing employees at PG&E. It is subject to collective bargaining.

An Apprentice Electric Distribution System Operator is a shift employee who is engaged in performing an Electric Distribution System Operator’s work as an assistant to and under the direct supervision of a Journeyman Electric Distribution System Operator. The Apprentice will participate in formal, informal and on-going training in both classroom and on the job environments, including the completion of going on the job training. 

 

Per letter agreement 19-10 this position requires a 5-year commitment within the Control Center while employed with PG&E.

 

The work location for this role will be headquartered in the Distribution Control Center in Fresno, CA with training to be completed at various locations, totaling up to 24 months.

 

PG&E is providing the hourly rate that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This position is subject to collectively bargained hourly wage rates and increases. The starting wage rate for this position is $47.98 per hour.  This wage rate is specific to the locality of the job. The wage rate is based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity. 

 

In the course of his/her training, the Apprentice will be required to perform the following activities: 

• Restore electric service after outages by re-routing power
• Direct the safe and efficient operation of electrical equipment to field resources via radio and telephone (customer interaction)
• Develop a demonstrated operational knowledge of electric distribution systems  
• Utilize multiple software applications, simultaneously, along with both electronic and paper maps, schematic/operating diagrams and information provided from the field to handle the following tasks:
• Analyze electric system conditions (both routine and emergency) to equally determine and then implement proper course of action(s) needed.
• Identify and mitigate potential hazards to both company personnel and the public for equipment within their area of responsibility.
• Monitor and operate field equipment remotely (SCADA)
• Communicate electric outage information to various entities.
• Research equipment via GIS mapping applications 
• Calculate load flows and adjust relay settings if needed (with input from operations engineering on either a real-time or previously identified basis). 
• Accurately log (document) daily operational information/ events/incidents and make proper notifications per established procedures
• Coordinate clearance requests to work on equipment with various departments and outside agencies
• Research and safely isolate equipment from all electric sources to allow for maintenance and repair on both a routine and emergency basis
• Maintain and update control center reference materials and operating drawings (electronic and paper maps, single lines, operating diagrams)
• Develop and continually demonstrate a thorough understanding of the applicable Standards, Procedures and Bulletins required to safely and efficiently operate the distribution electric system  
• Work mostly indoors in a Control Center environment.
• Work shift work, weekends and overtime as required.
• Some physical activities at training facilities 
• Educational and general qualifications must be such that s/he is considered capable of progressing to a Journeyman Distribution Electric System Operator at any of the Company’s distribution control centers. 

 

Responsibilities

• Independent decision-making skills required; Ability to rate information using personal judgment, training and/or standards that can