Assistant System Operator

SOUTH CENTRAL POWER•Lancaster, OH

61d•Onsite

About The Position

South Central Power Company is hiring two Assistant System Operators at its Lancaster, Ohio location. The role supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the electric distribution system by monitoring system conditions, coordinating field resources, and facilitating communications among crews, employees, members, and external agencies. The position uses an Outage Management System (OMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Geographic Information System (GIS), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and related applications to support outage restoration, routine operations, and emergency response. The Assistant System Operator serves as a central communications resource, dispatching personnel, providing operational updates, maintaining awareness of field activities, and assisting with switching operations under authorized personnel’s direction. The role requires the ability to advance to System Operator within approximately two years. A System Operator has greater responsibility for safe and reliable system operation, greater independent decision-making authority, and increased compensation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
At least two years of experience in utility operations, dispatching, system operations, or a related field.
Working knowledge of electric distribution systems, equipment, and outage restoration practices.
Ability to make sound decisions and remain calm during outages, storms, and emergency situations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact professionally with a variety of stakeholders.
Ability to read and interpret maps, electrical diagrams, and system information.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Willingness and ability to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency restoration assignments as required.
Ability to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to progress into a fully qualified System Operator role.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in a technical field.
Experience using utility software systems such as SCADA, OMS, GIS, or AMI.

Responsibilities

Operate the two-way radio system to relay information, dispatch crews, provide locations and directions, and communicate operational updates to field personnel.
Monitor, document, and assist with operation of the SCADA system.
Maintain and update outage information in OMS, including outage status, estimated restoration times, damage assessments, and active crew assignments.
Support system mapping activities, including updating GIS records, area maps, digital map notes, and documentation related to system additions, retirements, and modifications.
Maintain awareness of the location and status of Cooperative crews, contractor line crews, and contractor tree crews to support safe and effective field operations.
Remotely operate system devices when authorized and under the direction of authorized personnel.
Use the company callout system to notify and mobilize personnel according to established procedures and operating requirements.
Coordinate with Member Services on disconnects, reconnects, service orders, power quality investigations, AMI-related activities, and field service requests.
Receive and process requests related to line repairs, street lighting, vegetation management, and other system maintenance activities.
Process Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) / 811 locate requests, including emergency locate situations and facility analysis as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.