Distribution System Operations Real-Time Reliability Coordinator

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

3d•$74,551 - $128,689•Onsite

About The Position

The DSO Real-Time Reliability Coordinator provides real-time evaluation and coordination of distributed energy resource (DER) impacts to support reliable distribution dispatch center (DDC) operations. The role works across DDCs, the system control center (SCC), Transmission, engineering, planning, applications, and external stakeholders to identify reliability risks, communicate system constraints, recommend mitigation strategies, and support DER-enabled grid services. At the Coordinator level, the role performs core duties with increasing independence while helping mature DSO operational models, tools, documentation, and coordination practices. The posting covers three progression levels: Coordinator SG6, Senior SG7, and Principal SG8. Each level has education and experience requirements, and employees must complete required training, testing, and progression requirements. The position is based on site in New Albany, Ohio. The role requires willingness to work rotating shifts, accept on-call responsibilities, respond to callouts, and occasionally travel for training or cross-exposure opportunities. The employee must reside within, or be willing to relocate within, two hours of the reporting location if required by the business.

Requirements

For the Coordinator SG6 level: a two-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent, or a high school education and two years of experience operating a civil or military power system.
For the Coordinator SG6 level: at least six months of experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity, in addition to any experience included in the education requirement.
For the Senior SG7 level: a two-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent, or a high school education and two years of experience operating a civil or military power system.
For the Senior SG7 level: at least two years of experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity, in addition to any experience included in the education requirement.
For the Principal SG8 level: a two-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent, or a high school education and two years of experience operating a civil or military power system.
For the Principal SG8 level: at least four years of experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity, in addition to any experience included in the education requirement.
External experience in dispatching, system operations, or reliability coordination will be evaluated.
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Must achieve recommended results on the HireVue Dispatcher Worker Virtual Job Tryout.
Must successfully complete required training, testing, qualification, and progression requirements within the established timeframe.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operations environment, communicate clearly, follow instructions, and make sound decisions during critical system conditions.
Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including operations personnel, customers, management, technical writers, and subject matter experts.
Willingness to work rotating shifts, accept on-call responsibilities, respond to callouts, and occasionally travel for training or cross-exposure opportunities.
Must reside within, or be willing to relocate within, two hours of the reporting location if required by the business.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of distributed energy resources (DERs), distributed energy resource aggregations (DERAs), virtual power plants, utility grid operations, real-time protection and control, cybersecurity, and DER communications.
Familiarity with ADMS, DERMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR optimization, overcurrent coordination, islanding strategies, wholesale energy markets, RTO/ISO operations, and FERC Order 2222 impacts on distribution operations.
Certifications associated with NERC, EPRI, or RTO/ISOs may be required as AEP DSO and industry requirements evolve.

Responsibilities

Monitor, assess, and communicate real-time impacts of DERs and DERAs on distribution system reliability, including voltage, loading, protection coordination, backfeed, and operating limits.
Coordinate with DDCs, SCC, Transmission, and other partners to incorporate DER impacts into switching, restoration, planned work, grid services, and other real-time operating actions.
Identify DER-related system constraints, emerging reliability risks, and mitigation strategies, and communicate recommendations during normal and critical system conditions.
Perform real-time and look-ahead reliability assessments and contingency analyses to support operational decision-making.
Support DER and DERA grid service operations, including voltage support, load management, restoration support, resiliency applications, and evolving FERC Order 2222 and market participation needs.
Maintain accurate operational records and support process, tool, and documentation improvements for DERMS, ADMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR, and related capabilities.
Complete required training, qualification requirements, testing, and progression requirements.