Grid Coordinator

About the role

The Grid Coordinator is responsible for the continuous safe, stable, reliable, economical, and environmentally sound operation and/or maintenance of an assigned functional area within Grid Operations for the AES Indianapolis Distribution area. This role provides supervision, leadership, and training to direct reports, offers technical advice for complex projects, and ensures compliance with NERC, FERC, RFC, IURC, and MISO requirements. The Grid Coordinator directs field personnel through switching operations involving the mainline distribution system and the Bulk Electric Transmission System, and assists Transmission System Operations during normal and emergency conditions.

Responsibilities

• Makes complex operating, engineering, and economic decisions to restore customer service following system emergencies, coordinating efforts with the Transmission Control Center and Distribution Operations Control Center.
• Maintains a work environment that promotes customer service, safety, and professional development for employees.
• Directs the preparation and execution of contingency plans for operating the distribution system during natural disasters, civil disturbances, and other critical situations.
• Plans and arranges work schedules to meet both unscheduled and regular work, participating in long-range company planning.
• Directs departmental personnel, reviews records and reports, and participates in work to meet normal and emergency conditions.
• Represents the company to customers during off-hours, handling matters related to company business and service operation.
• Works closely with the Customer Service Team during regular working hours.
• Forecasts and controls a significant portion of the operation and maintenance budget.
• Receives, analyzes, schedules, and assigns emergency and routine work to maintain electric service continuity, ensuring equipment is not overloaded.
• Initiates and issues switching orders to repair and restore electric service on overhead and underground distribution systems, including customer switchgear and breakers.
• Reads, interprets, analyzes, and corrects distribution and street lighting maps, using knowledge of line fuse coordination and circuit operations.
• Interprets and relays maps and operating records to assist field personnel, ensuring shared safety responsibilities.
• Compiles and prepares reports related to Distribution Operations.
• Maintains a Grid Operations log, recording abnormal conditions, outages, and safety authorizations.
• Receives, relays, and records communications from intra-company, inter-company, police, and fire departments.
• Performs timekeeping, payroll work, and processes case jobs and damage claims.
• Operates two-way radio in accordance with FCC regulations and AES Indiana Distribution Operations working rules.
• Directs field switching operations performed by authorized personnel, including Substation Inspectors/Switchmen, Electricians, Linemen, and others.
• Assists in monitoring system conditions, recommending and directing actions to remedy reliability issues.
• Complies with all company safety and health policies applicable to work performance.

Requirements

• High school graduate.
• High degree of electrical and mechanical aptitude.
• Available for all System Operations shifts (24/7).
• Ability to pass NERC Certification exam within 6 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Accredited post-secondary education in an engineering or technology-related field.
• Current NERC Certification.
• Electric utility experience in transmission and/or distribution operations.
• Computer proficiency and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a real-time operations environment on all shifts and as a team member.
• Understanding of power substation equipment, power system electrical fundamentals, and the ability to interpret substation one-line diagrams and electrical schematics.
• Proficient in the English language.
• Electric utility job-related experience or training.