Power System Field Operator

Power System Field Operator – Roles & Responsibilities

Primary Purpose:

To ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the power distribution system through permit support, hazard identification, field inspections, isolation walkdowns, and regulatory compliance. This role is critical in maintaining safe work execution, system integrity, and operational excellence.

Core Responsibilities:

Permit Management

• Participate in daily permit meetings to review and validate permit requests and isolation plans.
• Issue and authorize permits in the field, ensuring isolations are installed, verified, and documented.
• Perform isolation walkdowns to confirm alignment with the approved permit and isolation procedure.
• Ensure permit agreements follow company standards and meet electrical safety code requirements.
• Communicate permit scope, energy source boundaries, and hazard controls to all affected parties.

Field Operations & Inspections

• Conduct regular operator field checks and equipment health tours to verify safe and reliable operation.
• Identify hazards, unsafe conditions, and process deviations; apply or escalate mitigations as required.
• Complete field walkdowns before, during, and after work execution to confirm system status and readiness.
• Identify, tag, and report abnormal conditions, including oil leaks, high temperatures, and equipment wear.

Equipment Monitoring & SAP Reporting

• Monitor system components (e.g., transformers, breakers, relays, cables) and log key data during inspections.
• Initiate and track SAP notifications for identified deficiencies, faults, or required maintenance.
• Follow up on outstanding notifications to ensure timely resolution and proper close-out.
• Document all findings, actions, and readings in company systems according to procedures.

Switching & Emergency Support

• Support planned and unplanned switching operations as directed by the Power Systems Control Room.
• Execute field switching steps safely and verify electrical statuses before issuing or closing permits.
• Assist in fault isolation, power restoration, and contingency actions during emergency events.
• Validate field device alignment with system configuration and schematics before switching.

Field Tours, Walkdowns, and Identification

• Perform and participate in scheduled field tours to identify emerging risks, improvement areas, and compliance gaps.
• Verify equipment labeling, signage, and barriers are in place and accurate.
• Conduct isolation walkdowns with crews and validate field installations match permit documentation.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance safety and system reliability during site presence.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all work, documentation, and field actions comply with applicable regulatory codes (e.g., CSA Z462, OH&S, NERC, ISO).
• Stay up to date with changes in electrical and safety standards and apply them in field execution.
• Support compliance reporting, audits, and investigations by providing accurate, timely field data and records.
• Participate in environmental, safety, and operational reporting as required (e.g., spills, near misses, non-conformances).

Communication & Coordination

• Serve as a key link between the permit office, control center, frontline crews, and maintenance teams.
• Provide clear and timely updates on field progress, isolation status, permit conditions, and emerging risks.
• Participate in pre-job briefs, tailgate meetings, and toolbox talks to support work planning and hazard awareness.

Scope of Responsibilities: Turn Around Operations Coordinator.

The Turnaround Operations Coordinator will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following tasks:

• Pre-Turnaround Operations Planning and Procurement: Responsible for planning and procuring necessary items such as tags, safety supplies, and small tools for pre-turnaround operations.
• Contractor Management: Assist with contractor kick-off and safety orientation, as well as mobilization field coordination.
• Detailed Planning Review: Collaborate with lead planner/scheduler to review detailed plan, identifying and defining operations preparation requirements and timing, and adding missing elements as necessary.
• Isolation Planning PlayBook: Develop isolation plans for equipment undergoing maintenance or construction.
• Permitting Coordination: Estimate permit manpower requirements, assist in developing a permitting strategy, and coordinate permitting activities with planning.
• Communication: Communicate TA preparation status, timing, and key elements to operations department personnel.
• Safety Oversight: Ensure safe work practices are identified for all jobs in the assigned work area. Keep operations managers informed of any abnormal conditions or situations that arise.
• Progress asset update: Follow the schedule closely, track the progress of all work in the assigned area, and provide daily updates. (Maintenance accountable)
• Look-ahead Coordination: Utilize the look-ahead schedule to coordinate with field execution and prepare for upcoming work or outages.
• Equipment Readiness: Ensure equipment is ready as scheduled for construction and maintenance activities.
• Facilitate Risk reviews and follow up to ensure all Operating areas are coordinated and ready for outages
• Coordinate and communicate Down stream load list and process risk to operating areas to identify the appropriate mitigation
• Inspection and Repair Assistance: Assist Reliability and Process Engineering with inspection and repair definition for apparatus.
• Quality Assurance Spot Inspections: Conduct general construction and maintenance quality assurance inspections and provide feedback to the Area Construction/Maintenance Manager.
• Equipment Close-out Approval: Provide equipment close-out approval per site PSSR/PSCR requirements shared with the Operations Specialist.
• Procedure Modification: Modify procedures for shutdown and startup as necessary, and review and approve procedure modifications.
• Interface Coordination: Act as the interface between Operations and Maintenance during the execution phase, ensuring smooth collaboration and communication between all areas and all departments.
• Shift Continuity: Provide operations continuity and consistency across shifts, ensuring seamless transition and alignment of operational activities.
• Work Notification Screening: Work with OMC Responsible for screening operations work notifications, ensuring that they are appropriately prioritized and assigned for TA Planning and execution.
• Close out of TA ensure all TCN work Gets identified correctly and added to the next window, work with Reliability to ensure SOW is identified for the next event and scope freeze windows have all corrective preventative and Project work identified.