Distribution Operator

AES•Dayton, OH

23h

About The Position

The Distribution Operator controls and operates AES Ohio’s distribution resources under limited direction, including circuit breakers, switches, voltage-regulating equipment, and other devices associated with the distribution system. The role coordinates and directs switching operations on the mainline distribution system and ensures compliance with PUCO regulations and AES safety and operating standards. The operator is responsible for actions affecting grid reliability, employee safety, equipment integrity, and continuity of electricity supply to customers. This position works in a control room with continuous monitoring responsibilities and follows a 12-hour rotating shift schedule as part of a department providing 24/7 coverage. The operator responds to abnormal system conditions and disturbances, coordinates outage and switching work, uses system models and grid-operation tools to assess reliability, supports department tools and procedures, and mentors Distribution Operator Trainees.

Requirements

Completion of company-level training is required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to comprehend complex instructions and technical documentation.
Proficiency in algebra, geometry, and electrical theory.
Skill using databases, spreadsheets, and word-processing tools.
Ability to make sound judgments and crucial decisions in short amounts of time.
Ability to understand and assimilate complex technical information.
Ability to work with little supervision and general guidelines at times.
Ability to operate grid-operations systems and other computer platforms.
Ability to interpret diverse data sets to ensure grid reliability.
Ability to solve practical problems with limited standardization.
Ability and authorization to take real-time actions and shed firm load during emergencies.
Responsibility for decisions affecting employee safety and equipment integrity.
Ability to perform physical tasks, including standing for extended periods and occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work rotating shifts and respond effectively to changing system conditions.
Comfort working in a control-room environment with continuous monitoring responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline is preferred but not required.
Associate’s degree with demonstrated aptitude in math and electrical theory is accepted, especially when paired with relevant work experience in electrical utility operations.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Implement real-time actions, including shedding firm load when directed by the transmission System Operator.
Direct actions affecting the safety and reliability of the distribution electric grid, including those involving field crews, electrical equipment, and customers.
Direct switching and tagging activities to achieve LOTO isolation on mainline distribution equipment for scheduled work and outages.
Respond to distribution disturbances in accordance with regulatory, industry, and company standards to help maintain continuous electricity supply.
Communicate the status of abnormal system conditions to co-workers and management.
Monitor and use reactive reserves to support system reliability.
Mentor Distribution Operator Trainees through the Operator training program.
Review and update department Standard Operating Procedures annually.
Use the system model to simulate removing distribution elements from service and review contingency analysis to prevent potential real-time violations.
Know the procedures for transferring operations to the Back-up Control Center and implement them when necessary.
Assist with outage scheduling by writing switch orders, coordinating resources and customers, running load-flow studies, evaluating outages and contingencies, planning projects, identifying conflicting outages, and developing reliability mitigation strategies.
Assist with developing and maintaining department tools, including supporting model updates; troubleshooting the state estimator and contingency analysis; monitoring and resolving solution-cost or high-iteration alarms; solving bad-data problems; maintaining PI situational-awareness displays; and working with EMS staff on ADMS updates and model pushes.
Develop and maintain knowledge of company substation, distribution, and transmission systems; relay protection schemes; safety requirements; electrical theory; field equipment capabilities; and related operating procedures and guidelines.