Grid Operations Technologist

Job Function

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Maintain the ORMS (Outage Management System) data and configuration utilizing GIS tools, database and ORMS tools and utilities including interfaces to intranet and internet websites for NOD (Network Operating Division). Work within high demand timelines and tight delivery times. Maintain activity logs. Verify data results for quality assurance. Provide real time connectivity and equipment updates of the Distribution and Transmission systems to support the Outage Management System. Assist in the collection and verification of data, Production of daily, weekly and monthly reports and communications, notifications for the transmission and distribution parties. Process Transmission Locates and Public Utility Coordinating Committee applications with respect to high voltage cables. Maintain and update various Web tools.

Job Description:

• Provide interpretation and analyze changes to the distribution network from Provincial Lines, Construction, Operating Planning and Controllers for modeling distribution circuits. Plan, organize and schedule work to meet required deadlines for client satisfaction.
• Provide effective recommendations in conjunction with the Supervisor of Data Collection or Operating Planning to resolve problems or derive solutions arising from incomplete or conflicting data or system limitations.
• Assist in evaluating the accuracy and benefits of various software packages and computerized systems that perform GIS, Transmission Locate and Outage Management functions.
• Arrange for commissioning and implementation of ORMS and NMS circuits in a production environment, coordinating timing with real time operations to minimize negative impact to the production system, determined by system conditions and weather. Perform post-implementation reviews.
• Contribute to the resolution of customer connectivity issues and investigate to determine required actions for resolving newly connected or disconnected customers. Perform Transmission and Distribution Customer Notifications. Provide supporting reports to appropriate parties.
• Design and maintain operating diagrams, area map and zone map renderings by extracting and revising appropriate layers from internal and external data and land base sources to optimize the quality of information without impacting system performance.
• Maintain all OMS data and configurations to ensure system interfaces properly including data transfer to intranet and internet sites for NOD.
• Design and implement virtual circuits to enable Stations Dispatch, Transmission Cable Locates, P&C and EMD dispatch and assist with this function as required.
• Create and implement equipment symbols and dynamic symbols, following Hydro One standards.
• Prepare correspondence dealing with technical issues. Participate in planning and review meetings. Prepare specifications, proposals, investigative reports, design documents, maintenance documentation, operating instructions, and user manuals. Investigate equipment outages and issues associated with customer damage claims, inquiries and related correspondence.
• Keep abreast of technology in the transmission/distribution GIS field including participation as a technical representative on internal and external committees, as required.
• Complete Transmission Cable Locates and review and complete Public Utility Coordinating Committee applications received from various utilities and contract agencies. Communicate concerns and proposals, as required.
• Develop and be responsible for the planning, writing and publishing of a variety of internal communication materials including employee newsletters, posters, and presentations to be distributed within.
• Perform other duties as required.

Selection Criteria:

Education:

• Requires a knowledge of computer information technology and GIS database principles and techniques to perform data management analysis.
• Requires a knowledge of computer technology to apply various software applications to develop and maintain GIS supporting graphic map data.
• Requires a good knowledge of English to communicate effectively with internal and external contacts and prepare technical reports.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of Grade XII in a Secondary, commercial or Technical School plus a three-year course of concentrated study in the appropriate subjects obtained in the Province of Ontario from a College of Applied Arts and Technology, Polytechnical Institute or Community College or by having the equivalent level of education.

Experience:

• Requires experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to model distribution network circuits using GIS systems.
• Requires an understanding of the Arc FM object model feature classes, object classes, relationships and connectivity rules and the intricacies of the CGI Pragma suite of tools and the Network Management System to effectively apply required updates to the Outage Response Management System (ORMS) and the verification of low-tension operating diagrams.
• Requires experience in NMS. Requires experience with the GIS database including the extraction of data from databases.
• Requires experience to be familiar with other electrical utility practices of managing outages and related customer service issues.
• A period of over four years, up to and including six years, is considered necessary to gain this experience.