Electric System Operator Trainee

Work Location: Butte, MT

Pay range: Union Rate $39.53 to $53.52 per hour depending on qualifications to meet level classification

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com

Internal candidates apply through iConnect.

About this position:

The Electric System Operator Trainee is responsible for operating the NorthWestern Energy electrical grid safely and reliably. They are responsible for scheduling, monitoring and control of energy flows on the transmission system and associated tie-lines with other utilities. They have the authority and responsibility to implement real-time actions to ensure stable and reliable operations of the bulk electric transmission system. They are responsible for monitoring and control of NorthWestern Energy resources and load to ensure uninterrupted electrical service to the customers. They are responsible for monitoring and operating Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) functions impacting NorthWestern Energy's Balancing Authority (BA) and Transmission system (TOP).

The Electric System Operator Trainee will be assigned on-the-job training on two of four operational desks and will advance through the trainee program based on skill progression in the position. Training assignments will be based on operational need and include:

High Voltage Desk - operational desk responsible for monitoring and control of all Bulk Electric System (BES) transmission functions
Low Voltage Desk - operational desk responsible for monitoring and control of all non-BES transmission functions
EIM Desk - operational desk responsible for monitoring and control of NorthWestern Energy's Energy Imbalance Market participation including Sufficiency Tests, participating units and market transmission energy flow
Scheduling Desk - operational desk responsible for NorthWestern Energy's Balancing Authority functions including generation dispatch, contingency reserves and tie-line schedules

The Electric System Operator Trainee will be required to complete a minimum of two desk qualification, NERC Certification and IBEW-44 Journeyman testing to complete the trainee program. Trainees will advance to a Journeyman Electric System Operator Level III position upon completing the training program.

We offer great benefits:

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,600 amazing people and serve over 800,000 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:

401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial health)
Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
Continuing education reimbursement
Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
Paid parental leave
Paid bereavement leave
Paid training opportunities
Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job:

Monitor and control NorthWestern Energy's transmission system and associated tie-lines to ensure system voltages and energy flows remain within operational limits. Utilize state estimation tools to identify grid reliability risks and develop operation plans. Implement real-time actions to ensure stable and reliable operations of the bulk electric transmission system during system normal and emergency conditions.
Coordinate switching and clearance procedures with field personnel. Develop switching plans and issue appropriate switching orders to field personnel. Issue and track transmission work authorizations including Clearances and Hot Line Holds to ensure public and field personnel safety.
Perform dispatch-related functions including monitoring and recording of energy flows, generator unit status, system load, and remaining load
Maintain NorthWestern Energy contingency reserves, enter NWE contingency events into EIM and coordinate NWE Reserve Sharing requests and deployments with Reserve Sharing partners.
Perform reliability based Energy Imbalance Market tasks to pass binding CAISO EIM Sufficiency Tests (Capacity, Balance, Flex Ramp) and take corrective actions for EIM Sufficiency Test failures. Monitor Transfer limits and EIM energy flows for each Intertie with other EIM participants through BAAOP.
Monitor the EIM solution in Real-Time and evaluate results for Market Infeasibilities, generation data errors, communication errors and other Real-Time issues which impact generation operations and EIM solution quality.
Communicate operational information with impacted utilities and agencies and complete required event reporting
Work 1 of 4 desks on demand (High Volt, Low Volt, Energy Imbalance Market or Scheduling) and progress to System Operator Electric Level III based on achieving certification on two desks and completing IBEW-44 Journeyman qualification, in approximately two years.
Meet and operate within NERC, FERC, and WECC standards, requirements, and guidelines
Perform all necessary functions for maintenance and revision of the map board
Proficiently perform Energy Imbalance Market tasks, Balancing Authority tasks or Transmission Operations tasks, and other duties as assigned.
Work a rotating twelve-hour shift cycle with overtime, weekend, and night work
Minimal travel is required for training or other purposes - up to 10%
All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:

Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
High school diploma or equivalent
Complete System Operator Electric apprenticeship or a combination of previous experience in similar field (e.g. engineering, journeyman lineman, generation operator) in conjunction with advanced Apprenticeship training
Previous electrical utility control center operating experience is preferred in any or all of these areas:
- Balancing Authority (BA) interchange and scheduling operations with knowledge of OATI/OASIS systems
- Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) operations with knowledge of BAAOP or similar programs
- Transmission Operator (TOP) functions including electric transmission line switching, clearance procedures, voltage control, and other tasks required to maintain reliability of an electrical grid
Must obtain NERC Certification (Balancing Authority Transmission Operator (BATOP) or higher) Current NERC BATOP (or higher) certification highly preferred
Commitment to safe working practices and knowledge of safety policies/procedures
Must be able to think clearly and function appropriately in high stress situations
Must be able to make decisions quickly and accurately
Must have good oral and written communication skills
Must have personal computer operating experience
Experience with Plant Information (PI) software desired
Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software desired.
Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs
Must be able to quickly learn specialized computer applications
Adapt to technological changes as they are implemented
Get Into Energy - Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus (click here to certify at no cost)

Requisition #4881

Posting Dates: November 12, 2025 through November 26, 2025

Department/Division: Transmission

Health History Questionnaire - Required

Drug Test: Required

Employment Physical: Not Required

Background Check: Required

Relocation Benefit: Negotiable

Telecommuting: None

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com.

NorthWestern Energy

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Electric System Operator Trainee