Apprentice System Operator

Requisition ID # 154533
Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Electric Operations
Work Type: Onsite
Job Location: Vacaville
Department Overview
The Electric Operations team Operations ensure the delivery of safe and reliable electric service to our customers. Electric Operations is responsible for every aspect of PG&E's electric distribution and transmission operations, including planning, engineering, maintenance and construction, asset management, business planning, restoration and emergency response.
Electric Operations/Control Center - Transmission System Operators (TSO's) safely control the electric grid that delivers power to PG&E customers. They monitor construction and maintenance, while directing all operational activity on power lines and substations. Transmission System Operators (TSO's) control flows of power at high voltages up to 500,000 volts. The responsibilities of a TSO require the use of initiative, sound judgement, 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.
An Apprentice System Operator is a shift employee who is engaged in performing an electric operator's work as an assistant to and under the direct supervision of a journeyman Operator. In the course of his/her training, they will be required to prepare and perform switching programs, to operate equipment, to keep records, to receive and dispatch calls by telephone and radio and certain switching operations. Educational and general qualifications must be such that she /he is considered capable of progressing to a journeyman Operator at any of the Company's transmission or distribution control centers.
The work location for this role will be headquartered in Vacaville, CA. To better represent the communities we serve, applicants who live within 50 miles of the headquarter location will be given preference.
The Apprentice will participate in formal training in both classroom and on the job environments, completion within 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 $46.25 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.
Responsibilities

• Promotes timely and accurate information of all outages, by working with field personnel to provide up-to-date information and meet established goals.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with employees and clients via radio and phone.
• Maintain knowledge of all dispatching procedures, complete all assigned training activities and perform ride-alongs and field visits.
• Work in a Control Center environment.
• Work shift work, weekends and overtime as required.
• Participates in formal or informal on-going training; within 24 months.
• Communicates in person, by phone, E-mail or by radio regarding substation operation, safety and security.
• May use Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) to monitor transmission systems and make changes to maintain safety & reliability.
• May use EMS (Energy Management System) along with other tools used to monitor the system.
• Restores electric systems as required.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must possess a High School diploma or GED

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License by day one of employment
• Ability to work flexible schedules, extended hours, nights, weekends, and/or overtime (scheduled or ad hoc)
• Must be able to wear company provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Ability to complete NERC certification within 24 months

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively via radio and phone
• Graduate from one of the following external training programs: PowerPathway® endorsed Bridge to Pre-Apprentice/Utility Worker, Certificate in Power and Electrical Systems, College of San Mateo; Electrical Transmission System Technology, Bismarck State College or equivalent degree/program.
• Experience performing data entry on a computer system; knowledge of basic office tool set (Word and Excel)
• Previous shift work experience
• Relevant Hiring Hall or PG&E work experience
• Electrical or electronic field experience through the military, a utility, municipality, or construction
• Electrical line experience
• To better represent the communities we serve, applicants who live within 50 miles of the headquarter location will be given preference

Pre-Employment Testing
PG&E Employees: You must have qualified on all prerequisite tests prior to submitting an application, and all secondary tests prior to interviewing. For more information on prerequisite and secondary exams, including study guides, please visit the Pre-employment testing program website.

• Industrial Skills Test
• Physical Test Battery
• Console Operator Basic Requirements Assessment
• Work Orientation Inventory-Physical/Technical Driving

Purpose, Virtues and Stands
Our Purpose explains "why" we exist:

• Delivering for our hometowns
• Serving our planet
• Leading with love

Our Virtues capture "who" we need to be:

• Trustworthy
• Empathetic
• Curious
• Tenacious
• Nimble
• Owners

Our Stands are "what" we will achieve together:

• Everyone and everything is always safe
• Catastrophic wildfires shall stop
• It is enjoyable to work with and for PG&E
• A healthy environment and carbon-neutral energy system shall be the reality for all Californians
• Our work shall create prosperity for all customers and investors

More About Our Company
EEO
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer that actively pursues and hires a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability status, medical condition, protected veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the job.
Employee Privacy Notice The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect on January 1, 2020. CCPA grants new and far-reaching privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information PG&E collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed through the following link: Employee Privacy Notice
PG&E will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in a manner consistent with all state and local laws.