Distribution Operator II

Entergy•Baton Rouge, LA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Distribution Operator II is responsible for ensuring safe and reliable operation of the electric distribution system. The role directs switching personnel, manages system configuration and monitoring, and communicates with field crews, substation personnel, contractors, industrial accounts, transmission control centers, and management to anticipate and mitigate reliability issues. Operators participate in continual training and simulations to build system knowledge and prepare for new scenarios. They respond to and restore the distribution system to safe operating conditions before, during, and after major disturbances. The position relies on experience and judgment to plan and achieve objectives. The position may be filled at the Distribution Operator Trainee, I, II, or Senior level depending on the candidate’s qualifications. The Distribution Operator II is expected to handle routine and more complex operator tasks with minimal oversight, analyze available data, draw conclusions, and act to operate Entergy’s distribution system. The role requires the ability to work a 24-hour rotating shift schedule, including nights and weekends, and may require additional hours, alternate locations, or additional duties during storms, outages, emergencies, or other situations deemed necessary by the company.

Requirements

For Distribution Operator II, preferred: 18 months of experience as a Distribution Operator I or equivalent work experience and/or Tier 2 Qualification.
Able to handle day-to-day tasks and more complex operator tasks with minimal oversight; analyze available data, draw conclusions, and act accordingly to operate the distribution system.
High school diploma or GED and at least 4 years of relevant technical or related military experience; or a 2-year technical degree and at least 2 years of relevant technical or related military experience; or a 4-year degree in a technical area.
Demonstrate and consistently practice Entergy employee behaviors related to respect, open and trusting interactions, diversity and inclusion, accountability, safety, flexibility, leadership, and communication.
Proficient interpersonal and communication abilities to build relationships and foster mutual trust and respect.
Apply analytical and technical skills to understand, communicate, and resolve issues in a dynamic work environment.
Manage multiple priorities and effectively prioritize competing issues while recognizing constraints and opportunities.
Communicate effectively with personnel at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrate people-management ability, including coaching individuals and holding them appropriately accountable.
Make and execute well-considered operational decisions in standard and emergency situations.
Possess technical and operational expertise to identify off-normal conditions according to industry standards.
Be capable of working rotating shifts and carrying out the essential responsibilities of the position.
Demonstrate advanced proficiency in computer skills.
Be open to alternative approaches and ready to implement changes when necessary.
Be able to work a 24-hour rotating shift schedule, including nights and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Relevant military experience, preferably in technical or electrical fields.
Experience with relays, substations, and control centers.
Background in power generation, transmission, or distribution operations.
Proficiency in electric transmission or distribution switching and engineering.
Operational and technical knowledge of substation equipment and ability to interpret one-line diagrams.
Demonstrated understanding of power flow and power-flow principles.
Experience with SCADA/control systems.
Familiarity with process operations or gas operations, including flows and systems.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate understanding of general operating instructions, the Entergy T&D Safety Manual, and the Switching, Tagging & Clearance policy.
Use independent judgment to assign and direct appropriate personnel for incoming trouble work and prioritize outages to make effective use of available resources.
Identify and help resolve technical, operational, and organizational challenges.
Oversee the after-hours call-out process, enter outage data into the OMS, and provide timely, accurate restoration updates to support personnel and customers.
Troubleshoot, diagnose, and initiate repairs for distribution-system issues, including supporting field responders with troubleshooting.
Analyze and respond promptly to system disturbances to restore the system to its normal configuration.
Oversee switching, tagging, and clearance processes to ensure safety standards are followed.
Manage field personnel and/or control devices through SCADA.
Develop, review, and approve planned switching procedures.
Implement contingency switching plans for customer outages involving the distribution substation and line system.
Coordinate and manage large switching projects involving substation and distribution-line resources.
Work with Operations Center personnel and maintain effective working relationships with other operations centers and service-center staff.
Provide exemplary internal and/or external customer service while restoring outages.
Identify when additional operations-center or local-office resources are needed to manage outage response and inform others.
Monitor all-weather tools and alert affected personnel about potential severe conditions.
Continuously monitor distribution-system parameters, including voltage, line flows, equipment loading, and alarms, and take appropriate corrective action.
Initiate and complete work orders, respond to field inquiries, update the OMS for outage-related scenarios, and answer and address emergency-line calls.
Provide Data Maintenance Support personnel with information about OMS updates, missing devices, incorrect predictions, and other issues.
Initiate and restore system emergencies, including automatic or manual load shedding and blackstart operations.
Take necessary actions and assume accountability for areas involving Cyber Security Assets.