Distribution Operations Center Supervisor

Pedernales Electric Cooperative•Johnson City, TN

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The Distribution Operations Center Supervisor oversees staff in the 24/7 Dispatch Operations Center (DOC) and plans, coordinates, directs, and supervises switching and tagging, clearances, load monitoring, emergency restoration, reporting, and dispatch of personnel for outage, trouble, and emergency calls on the PEC electric distribution system. The supervisor coordinates DOC activities with District Field Operations and serves as switching director when assigned. The position is responsible for planning and scheduling shift coverage to support safe and reliable distribution system operations while controlling costs. It supervises outage restoration and operational communications, reviews system events and reporting, communicates updated policies and procedures, and ensures compliance. The supervisor also supports continuous improvement of outage management processes, systems, procedures, and tools, and trains new operators, including through OJT. The role requires 24/7 rotating shift coverage, including nights, weekends, holidays, and 10–12-hour workdays, as well as after-hours on-call duty. Work takes place in a secured control-room environment and intermittently in the field. The position may require travel and may involve working more than 40 hours per week. It is an exempt position with a fixed bi-weekly salary compensating for all hours worked during each pay period.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, or a related field; directly related experience may substitute for education.
Five years of experience in distribution control center operations.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of utility transmission and distribution system design, operations, maintenance, construction principles and practices, safety standards, and business processes.
Planning and organizational skills, including project and schedule management and familiarity with computerized trouble, work, materials-management, and scheduling tools.
Ability to function under the stress of emergency situations for extended periods.
Thorough knowledge of switching and tagging procedures and electric distribution system operations.
Thorough knowledge of applicable PC-based applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
Working knowledge of labor contracts.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with people at various organizational levels and external parties involved in electric distribution operations.
Ability to analyze electric distribution system problems and act accordingly.
Ability to effectively supervise and direct the work of others.
Ability to work rotating 24/7 shift coverage, including nights, weekends, holidays, and 10–12-hour workdays, and to be on call after hours.
Ability to travel as required.
Ability to stand, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, sit or stand for extended periods, and lift, carry, push, pull, or move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work in a secured control room and intermittently in the field, with exposure to moving mechanical parts and outdoor weather, wet or humid conditions, and possible work from ladders or in confined spaces.
Ability to work in conditions that may include high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, electrical-shock risks, and toxic or caustic chemicals.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience.

Responsibilities

Supervise DOC staff and switching requirements between system dispatchers and field personnel for the assigned shift.
Monitor, operate, and maintain the electronic dispatch system, including OMS/ADMS and SCADA equipment.
Plan, write, check, approve, direct, and issue clearances and permissions, and monitor switching, grounding, and tagging orders for the distribution system.
Receive and analyze OMS outage and non-outage events and trouble calls, initiate corrective action, and dispatch personnel according to established procedures.
Direct corrective action and communicate system problems and restoration progress to member services, T&D staff, engineering, management, and other appropriate personnel.
Lead and execute planned and unplanned outage estimated time of restoration (ETR) work and critical operational communications for situational awareness.
Monitor circuit and substation equipment loads and voltages during switching and peak periods to ensure loading parameters are not exceeded.
Participate in Single Contingency Load Loss Studies and risk mitigation analysis for sub-transmission and backbone distribution, and develop mitigation recommendations.
Support the emergency disaster plan and assist other regional districts with emergency storm restoration when assigned.
Monitor SCADA, substation, and system alarms.
Prepare, disseminate, and maintain operations center records and reports, including circuit and equipment loads, nomenclature, interruption reports, and emergency contact information.
Coordinate with ERCOT and the TCC for emergency load shedding under current Operating Procedures and Guides.
Support the Manager in reviewing shift workload, system configurations, and risks, and ensure appropriate notification when assigned-shift work cannot be completed.
Support the Manager with outage-management business processes, procedures, tools, and systems, recommending operational improvements as needed.
Train new Operators, including assisting with OMS/ADMS classes and instruction on switching and tagging procedures.
Operate PC-based systems and applications.
Coordinate dispatching with PEC personnel and external parties, including other utilities, government agencies, emergency services, and large-member plant engineers.
Plan and schedule shift coverage to ensure safe and reliable distribution system operation while controlling costs.
Review distribution system events and ensure proper reporting.
Communicate new and updated policies and procedures and ensure compliance.
Maintain the security of confidential information and stay current with technological advances.
Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance and perform other related duties as assigned.
Perform supervisory activities including training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendations for termination; communicate organizational policies and ensure subordinates understand their responsibilities.