electricity distribution control room officer

The Electricity Distribution Control Room Officer is responsible for the operation of the ENERGEX High Voltage electricity network (Including 132kV, 110kV, 33kV and 11kV) over a designated area of jurisdiction. The Electricity Distribution Control Room Officer is required to safeguard the availability and performance of the ENERGEX high voltage electricity network.

safety

You must ensure that all work is performed in accordance with relevant standard work practices and non-compliances are reported.

	key accountabilities	measures
	Operate the ENERGEX high voltage electricity network. Effective network and load analysis and contingency planning.	Safety of people and safety of plant. Customer-care standards for restoration of supply. Adherence to HVIA procedures and ENERGEX operating practices manual. Security, reliability, quality and restoration of supply within ENERGEX customer care standards.
	Maintain operational records (network operations, audits).	Timeliness and accuracy. Meet customer requirements.
	Provision of high voltage access to the network	Timeliness. Conformance to process guidelines. Benchmark against best practice.

duties

The incumbent must be able to undertake all of the following duties, but will generally focus only on specific allocated duties at any given time.

• Follow established work practices and promote and maintain safety, whilst controlling environmental impacts and complying with legislative responsibilities. Identify and eliminate hazards and potentially dangerous situations.
  
  
• Write, check and authorise 132kV, 110kV, 33kV and 11kV planned and emergency switching sheets.
  
  
• Continuously monitor and control the ENERGEX high voltage network under normal and emergency conditions by :
  
  - Monitoring and assessing SCADA alarms and initiating appropriate corrective action (eg. reducing or shifting loads).
  - Remote control of high voltage network plant.
  - Co-ordination and direction of field staff.
  - Liaison with other control centres and major customers.
  - Following the documented practices of ENERGEX.
  
  
• Co-ordinate planned and emergency switching on the 132kV, 110kV, 33kV & 11kV electricity network to isolate faulty sections, ensure supply is restored / maintained and allow safe access for work crews.
  
  
• Compile and enter fault reports to allow monitoring of network performance.
  
  
• Authorise, monitor and give clearance for work on secondary systems (protection, communication circuits etc) to ensure ENERGEX high voltage electricity network is not put at risk.
  
  
• Maintain a current record of the network status in the designated area of responsibility, by updating system diagrams and other appropriate ENERGEX high voltage electricity network records, to ensure correct network manipulation can be executed.
  
  
• Respond to after hours and daytime overflow customer calls regarding "no supply and emergencies", evaluate the cause and initiate the appropriate remedial action.
  
  
• Prepare, maintain and select appropriate network contingency plans to facilitate restoration of supply in contingency situations.
  
  
• Carry out one or both of the following tasks as delegated:
  - Maintain computer databases and applications.
  - Undertake minor projects or technical investigations related to network operations, eg operating procedures.
  
  
• During system emergencies perform a designated support role eg. fault evaluation during storms, and assist in co-ordination of rotational load shedding.
  
  
• Provide technical advice to field crews regarding network status and procedures.
  
  
• Participate actively in recording and flow of information regarding network problems.
  
  
• Analyse network loads and capacity using available records and computer applications.
  

job dimensions and relationships

The Electricity Distribution Control Room Officer reports to the Network Access Team Leader, and works as a member of a small work team that is responsible for operation of the ENERGEX high voltage electricity network in designated area.

The incumbent regularly liases with:

• Asset Services staff regarding switching and network problems, and in response to after hours customer service calls.
• Other control centres. (Eg. Transmission Control Centre, Qld Rail, North Coast Control etc.).
• Emergency services - in times of accidents, fires, storms etc.
• Major customers regarding loss and quality of supply.
• Asset Services standby and field staff regarding planned and emergency switching.
• Technical staff from specialist areas required to attend to network equipment and control system problems.
  

The position has the freedom to take action to restore and maintain supply in accordance with ENERGEX operational procedures, and to initiate action (often after hours) to attend to various levels of network equipment problems. A considerable degree of judgement must be exercised in making these decisions, as established guidelines and procedures will not cover all scenarios that arise.

Assist in the provision of "on the job" training and coaching in ENERGEX network operations procedures to employees new to the department (relief, secondments, new recruitments etc).

special requirements and working conditions

• The incumbent may be required to participate in an after hours standby roster.
• ENERGEX's Network Operations Control Centre is a 24-hour operation. The incumbent may be required to undertake shiftwork.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly technical environment involving extensive use of computer systems.
• Infrequent and unpredictable overtime to adjust to additional work load due to storms etc.

education/certification

• An appropriate trade certificate eg. Electrical Fitter Mechanic.
• Associate Diploma of Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Authorisation as a Switching Coordinator up to 132kV.

specialised job knowledge/demonstrated ability

• Demonstrated commitment to improvements in safety performance, environmental performance and legal compliance.
• Extensive substation and overhead HV operating experience.
• Sound knowledge of protection systems and other substation equipment.
• Detailed knowledge of ENERGEX H.V.I.A. procedures and operating practices.
• Extensive field experience, including Overhead, Underground and Substation switching, and fulfilled role of Recipient.
• Demonstrated ability with ENERGEX computer systems used in control centres.
• Demonstrated ability to utilise software packages including spreadsheets and word processing.
  

critical competencies

Teamwork:	Ability to foster team spirit and build and maintain cooperative and productive relationships with other ENERGEX operations staff.
Initiative:	Ability to take or initiate action to deal with a wide variety of situations, many of which require "non-standard" solutions.
Communication Skills:	Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
Maturity:	Ability to adopt a calm and methodical manner when dealing with crisis situations.
Adaptability:	Ability to accommodate changes in the environment, organisation, technology and levels of responsibility.
Analysis and Judgement:	Ability to independently gather and organise relevant data and information and identify critical issues. Ability to reach sound conclusions based on available information.
Technical Knowledge:	Ability to work in a highly technical situation utilising various computer programs and commitment to maintain and update technical knowledge.

any other special requirements

Authorisation as a switching coordinator up to 132kV is required to competently perform the duties of the position. The acquisition of this authorisation may be arranged following a period of initial job training.

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