Distribution System Operator I - PA Distribution Operations - Erie

FirstEnergy • Erie, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an open position with the FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. The role involves monitoring the day-to-day operations of the regional distribution system, including outage restoration during emergency or abnormal conditions with timely and accurate documentation. The operator will recommend operational improvements, communicate system events, and provide excellent customer service. A key part of the role is operating various systems such as SCADA, EMS, OMS, EDOA, and RDO notifications, as well as radio and telephone systems. The operator must analyze and act promptly during system disturbances to restore normal configuration, provide technical analysis, monitor systems, and schedule/authorize distribution equipment outages and load transfers. Developing detailed scenarios for contingency outages, assigning and directing switching activities, monitoring system and weather conditions, and coordinating staffing for emergencies are also responsibilities. The position includes completing training to progress to the Regional Distribution System Operator level and requires a basic understanding of bargaining unit agreements. The role requires working nights, weekends, extended days, or scheduled days off when system or weather conditions warrant.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or greater in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related certification from an ABET accredited institution.
• Equivalent working experience with demonstrated understanding to operate the distribution system will be considered, in lieu of above stated educational requirements (minimum of 4 years of related work experience).
• Knowledge of Transmission and Distribution operation, maintenance and construction practices, procedures, work methods, materials, equipment and tools to operate the distribution system.
• Capable of effective performance in problem solving, multi-tasking and teamwork.
• Demonstrate effective performance in prioritizing work for efficient and safe operations.
• Possess knowledge of, or ability to learn Transmission and Distribution System Operations, maintenance and construction practices, procedures, work methods, materials, equipment and tools to operate the distribution system.
• Possess reading and comprehension skills to effectively interpret switching requests, engineering drawings, schematics, equipment instruction manuals, standards and procedures used to develop distribution switching orders.
• Possess skills in the development, collection, organization, and analysis of information from a variety of sources to develop switching orders and recommendations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with customers, supervisors, peers, employees, and contractors involved with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the T&D facilities.
• Demonstrate a questioning attitude to learn, produce results and develop relationships and have enough maturity to exercise independent judgment on moderately complex projects and assignments.
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills to make quick assessments and deliver well-thought decisions, when situations occur that require independent judgment.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, specific mainframe and PC applications.
• Ability to remain professional and maintain a calm demeanor in high stress, high volume work environment.
• Able to remain professional in high-stress, high-volume work environment.
• Must reside within a 60-minute proximity of the reporting location due to job related requirements.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring the day-to-day operations of the regional distribution system.
• Outage restoration during emergency or abnormal conditions with timely and accurate documentation associated with the distribution system.
• Recommending operational improvements and communicating system events to appropriate personnel.
• Demonstrating sound internal and/or external customer service.
• Operating the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, Energy Management System (EMS), PowerOn Outage Management System (OMS), Energy Delivery Outage Application (EDOA) and Regional Dispatch Operations (RDO) notifications as well as radio and telephone systems.
• Analyzing and acting promptly in cases of system disturbance so that the system can be restored to a normal configuration.
• Providing technical analysis, monitoring systems, scheduling and authorizing distribution equipment outages and load transfers.
• Developing detailed scenarios to identify operating problems caused by contingency outages.
• Assigning and directing switching activities and work assignments to field personnel.
• Monitoring system and weather conditions.
• Coordinating staffing requirements by calling additional resources to handle emergencies.
• Completing training and development to progress to the Regional Distribution System Operator level.
• Possessing basic understanding of bargaining unit agreements with field labor.
• Required to work nights, weekends, extended days or scheduled days off when system or weather conditions warrant the need.

Benefits

• competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• a company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree