i have a location where the operator station
is unplugged and not operable, at times and causes
a secondary group extensions to ring instead.
where in the programming can i find this
group, and what issues arise when the programmed operator is disabled?

Could be part of a hunt group or call forwarding or a ringing pickup key.
The operator extension is where recalls (transfer ,hold) go back to.Usually the zero destination on a voicemail system.Programs the system speed dials.
You can set up more than 1 operator maybe that would help you.

i have looked for a hunt group and forwarding path, i it not programmed for this ring group
ringing pickup key would not seem right as
all exts are ist, im still looking for this mystery ringing group, thanks for the suggestions, it all helps

Is it possible there is already a second operator station defined that is also in a pickup group with other non-operator stations?
From the B screen, hit O for Operator programming and hit I to increment through the Operators... if the B-H Operators are defined, you may have a starting point. I'd check the key programming for the primary operator and any secondaries to see if they have a pickup group key (90x).