Subtransmission & Distribution System Control Operator Apprentice

Position Summary

This position is responsible for critical tasks that ensure the safe and reliable operation of NPPD’s jointly operated sub-transmission system (<115 kV) and the distribution retail system (<15 kV), including executing and directing real-time actions using sophisticated software tools such as the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) to monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve complex emergent scenarios, while maintaining precise communication and coordination with NPPD’s Joint Sub-Transmission Customers.

Education, Training and Experience

Requires a technical school degree in a related electrical field, or a high school diploma/GED plus three years of related electrical experience.

Related Experience: Includes utility line work, substation operations, commercial, residential, or industrial electrical work, utility power plant operations, electrical engineering, telecommunications, electronics, utility system control, power system planning, and electric utility engineering technician roles.

A bachelor’s degree in a related field may be considered as a substitute for up to three years of the required related electrical experience.

Other relevant work experience or demonstrated performance that shows the applicant has the skills and ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered in place of the specified education or experience requirements.

Applicants will be placed into the Sub transmission & Distribution System Control Operator Progression Program. 

Licenses and/or Certifications

Must meet the probationary requirements of NPPD’s Sub transmission & Distribution System Control Operator Progression Program and qualify as an Operator II within one year.

Must obtain NPPD switching and clearance holder certifications.

Must establish and maintain an acceptable NERC security background check.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Successfully complete per NPPD standards, classroom and on the job training to become System Control Operator ll qualified utilizing NPPD’s Sub-transmission & Distribution System Control Operator Progression Program and Operator Training Design.  

Coordinate, write, review, and execute switching of sub-transmission and distribution lines and associated substation equipment in a manner that will not jeopardize the safety of personnel and equipment by utilizing human performance tools and checks.

Evaluate contingency conditions, validate 115 kV line paths, and leverage arcing kVA studies and phase angle calculations to shape reliable switching strategies. During loop splitting operations, balance system voltage and VAR flow to reduce arcing risk, confirm that load shifts occur without violating equipment limiting factors, and is guided by historical load trends and seasonal load variation patterns.

Monitor line and substation equipment and react to changes in system requirements due to variations in system load conditions and other factors while ensuring they are operated within established limits and guidelines. This includes response to emergency conditions such as loss of transmission, sub-transmission, distribution lines, and/or substation facilities. Remain abreast of the status of the high voltage transmission system (NPPD and neighboring systems) that impacts the sub-transmission and distribution systems.

Assess and mitigate unplanned outages across the joint sub transmission and NPPD distribution systems by applying SCADA based fault interrogation, advanced outage management platforms, and real time telemetry to isolate abnormal system conditions and coordinate restoration strategies. Monitor statewide radio emergency traffic to detect emerging system events and verify field conditions, while issuing timely urgent customer notifications and completing high visibility tasks such as preparing outage reports and maintaining accurate outage detail tracking.

Verify that electronic switching maps within NPPD’s outage management and SCADA systems are continuously updated, accurate, and fully synchronized with real world switch and device configurations.

Implement and optimize NPPD’s distribution load control functions and associated settings to support efficient system performance and reliable load management.

Expected to live within 30 minutes of the Kearney Control Center, in the event of a call-in for emergency switching. This position is responsible for an extremely critical part of NPPD's operations and is expected to be available in the event of emergencies.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies