Benjamin Murdock
Meridian
Summary
Senior Regional System Operator at Idaho Power Company with proven expertise in system monitoring and incident response. Enhanced operational efficiency through creating an entry level RSO guide, to help new operators understand the day to day scope of the job. Skilled in troubleshooting and decision-making, ensuring safety and reliability in high-pressure environments.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Regional System Operator
Idaho Power Company
09.2023 - Current
- Monitored electrical system performance and identified discrepancies to ensure operational efficiency.
- Created an entry level RSO guide to help new employees understand the scope of day to day operations and guidelines for best practices while executing planned and emergency switching.
- Operated and maintained control systems for sub transmission and distribution networks.
- Collaborated with Lineman, Troublemen and Substation Technicians to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and implement corrective actions.
- Monitor alarms and status of equipment to ensure reliability and compliance with safety regulations.
- Troubleshot system outages and determined best course of action to safely and quickly restore power.
- Quickly shut down equipment in emergency situations following protocols.
- Trained new staff on equipment operation and safety protocols to promote workplace safety culture.
- Conduct routine switching requests, issue hot line holds and clearances, ensuring proper upstream protection and all boundariesof a clearance are verified open and tagged.
- Analyzed system data to support decision-making processes during routine and emergency operations.
Equipment Operator I and II
Idaho Power Company
2017 - 09.2023
- Worked on a T&D line crew assisting with construction of transmission and distribution lines
- Worked on underground cable replacement crew
- Operated various prices of heavy equipment, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and operational standards.
- Conducted routine maintenance on machinery, enhancing reliability and performance.
- Assited on the ground as a second set of eyes to help ensure the safety of the people working in the air, and made ready tools and materials as needed to keep the job progressing efficiently.
Equipment Operator
Pacific Gas and Electric
04.2013 - 09.2017
- Acted as foreman of a crew during normal operations and during emergency situations.
- Maintained accurate logs on work done to ensure mapping is correct.
- Developed a training program to increase the pass rate in our yard from 15% to 95% for operator qualifications test that allowed us to operate the gas infrastructure.
- Operated heavy equipment around buried utilities to repair and upgrade gas and electric utilities in high stress environments safely and efficiently.
- Maintained logs for testing and calibration of day to day safety equipment to ensure compliance and safe operations of our work.
- Responded to gas leaks and dig-ins in a safe and efficient manner, to quickly mitigate public safety issues and restore service.
Education
High School Diploma -
Golden Valley High School
Merced, CANo Degree - General Education
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CASkills
- System monitoring
- Data center operations
- Incident response
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Critical thinking
Timeline
Senior Regional System Operator
Idaho Power Company
09.2023 - Current
Equipment Operator
Pacific Gas and Electric
04.2013 - 09.2017
Equipment Operator I and II
Idaho Power Company
2017 - 09.2023
High School Diploma -
Golden Valley High School
No Degree - General Education
Modesto Junior College