Distribution System Operator, Senior

About the Role

This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, directing switching and tagging; writing, checking and issuing clearances to field personnel; monitoring of loads, emergency restoration and associated reporting for the electric distribution system. Coordinates the above activities with LCRA and/or the PEC Transmission Control Center and other regions when system conditions cross jurisdictional lines.

Responsibilities

• Assist with training and leading staff that supports 24/7 real-time control system integrity to ensure the highest operational reliability and system availability.
• May serve in the status of "Chief Operator" to assist the Shift Supervisor in ensuring the workload of the shift and all applicable system configuration and risk are discussed and understood.
• Serve as switching authority as assigned by Distribution Operations Center Manager.
• Provide efficient direction of restoration activities during assigned shift.
• Ensure proper adherence to cooperative policies, operating instructions, and procedures.
• Provide accurate, safe, and current switching and tagging instructions for assigned operations.
• Monitor and control the cooperative grid, initiating restoration of service during assigned shift.
• Respond to system operation failures or abnormalities, recommend corrective action, and dispatch field personnel.
• Communicate with dispatchers, engineers, and field crews.
• Perform troubleshooting, problem analysis, and resolution.
• Analyze and validate data to maintain system integrity and perform restoration.
• Develop, approve, analyze, and generate daily reports.
• Use SCADA, ADMS software and hardware to control and monitor the cooperative distribution grid.
• Utilize one-lines for the issuance of switching procedures.
• Monitor conditions that could negatively impact reliability and respond to emergencies.
• Utilize Outage Management System (OMS) for outage dispatch and district updates.
• Monitor two-way radio communication, read one-lines, and maintain system displays and graphics.
• Prepare and approve switching orders to isolate work areas without causing power outages.
• Anticipate and track conditions that could affect operations.
• Receive power outage telephone calls and dispatch personnel as necessary.
• Maintain outage, substation, and system records and provide to other departments as needed.
• Coordinate and perform switching for authorized personnel.
• Monitor and operate the SCADA System, notifying and assisting district personnel on outages and emergency conditions.
• Calculate necessary power equations.
• Adhere to applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) policies and procedures.
• Maintain the security of confidential information.
• Stay abreast of advances in technology.

Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities

• Develop, mentor, and provide technical direction and instruction to team members.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Engineering Technology or related technical field.
• Five years of directly related experience (directly related work experience may substitute for education).
• Valid Texas Driver's License.

Skills

• Knowledge of OSI SCADA, ADMS, and OMS platforms.
• Knowledge of basic electricity and electrical theory.
• Knowledge of electrical switching and tagging principles and requirements.
• Knowledge of National Electrical Safety Code and electrical utility operational procedures.
• Knowledge of radio use etiquette.
• Skilled in time management and managing changing priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze, and resolve conflict and problems.
• Ability to work effectively with various levels of the organization and outsiders involved with electric distribution operations.
• Ability to act as a customer advocate by assuring accurate and timely information is communicated on ETRs and restoration remarks.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May require standing, reaching, stooping, and kneeling.
• May require sitting or standing for long periods.
• May require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or moving up to 25 pounds.
• May require travel, shift work (including nights, weekends, holidays, and 10-12 hour workdays), and after-hours on-call duties.
• Work is performed in a secured control room environment and intermittently in the field.
• Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions.
• May work from ladders in confined spaces and be exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; risk of electrical shock; and toxic or caustic chemicals.

Physical Office Location: PEC Headquarters - 201 S Ave F, Johnson City, TX 78636

Pay: $37.08 Minimum Starting Base Pay + KPI Bonuses. Midpoint of pay range: $46.35. Qualifications may warrant greater starting base pay within the full pay range. Individual base pay is determined by experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training.