Distribution System Operator, Senior

Pedernales Electric Cooperative•Johnson City, TX

1d•$77,126 - $96,408•Onsite

About The Position

This position plans, coordinates, and directs switching and tagging; writes, checks, and issues clearances to field personnel; monitors loads; and coordinates emergency restoration and reporting for the electric distribution system. It coordinates these activities with LCRA, the PEC Transmission Control Center, and other regions when system conditions cross jurisdictional lines. The position supports real-time control system integrity and operational reliability, directs restoration activities during assigned shifts, and may assist the Shift Supervisor as Chief Operator. It uses SCADA, ADMS, and OMS systems to monitor and control the cooperative distribution grid, coordinate field work, manage outages, and maintain system records and reports. The role also provides technical direction and instruction to team members. Work is performed in a secured control room and intermittently in the field. The role requires shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, 10–12-hour workdays, after-hours on-call availability, and may involve working more than 40 hours per week. The position is based at PEC Headquarters in Johnson City, Texas.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Engineering Technology or a related technical field, or directly related work experience in lieu of education.
Five years of directly related experience.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of OSI SCADA, ADMS, and OMS platforms.
Knowledge of basic electricity and electrical theory.
Knowledge of electrical switching and tagging principles and requirements.
Knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code and electrical utility operating procedures.
Knowledge of radio-use etiquette.
Time-management skills and ability to manage changing priorities.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to listen to and understand information.
Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze, and resolve conflict and problems.
Ability to work effectively with different organizational levels and external parties involved in electric distribution operations.
Ability to act as a customer advocate by ensuring accurate and timely communication of estimated restoration times and restoration remarks.
Ability to work under the stress of emergency situations for extended periods.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, sitting or standing for long periods, and moving up to 25 pounds.
Ability to travel and work in a secured control room and intermittently in the field.
Availability for shift work that includes nights, weekends, holidays, 10–12-hour workdays, after-hours on-call, and potentially more than 40 hours per week.

Responsibilities

Assist with training and leading staff supporting 24/7 real-time control system integrity, operational reliability, and system availability.
May serve as Chief Operator, assisting the Shift Supervisor with shift workload, system configuration, risk, staffing, weather, and workload notifications.
Serve as switching authority when assigned by the Distribution Operations Center Manager.
Direct restoration activities during assigned shifts.
Ensure adherence to cooperative policies, operating instructions, and procedures.
Prepare accurate, safe, and current switching and tagging instructions for assigned operations.
Provide timely and accurate reporting on assigned operations.
Continuously monitor and control the cooperative grid and initiate service restoration during assigned shifts.
Respond to system failures or abnormalities and recommend corrective action.
Dispatch field personnel and communicate with dispatchers, engineers, and field crews.
Troubleshoot, analyze problems, and resolve them.
Analyze and validate data to maintain system integrity and support restoration.
Develop, approve, analyze, and generate daily reports.
Use SCADA, ADMS software, and hardware to control and monitor the cooperative distribution grid.
Use one-line diagrams to issue switching procedures.
Monitor conditions that could negatively affect reliability and anticipate and track conditions affecting operations.
Respond to emergencies.
Use the Outage Management System for outage dispatch and district updates, including pinging meters.
Monitor two-way radio communications for all districts, read one-line diagrams, and maintain system displays and graphics.
Prepare and approve switching orders to isolate work areas without causing power outages, using power-system switching one-lines.
Receive outage calls and dispatch personnel as necessary.
Maintain outage, substation, and system records and provide them to other departments as needed.
Coordinate and perform switching for authorized personnel.
Monitor and operate the SCADA system.
Notify and assist district personnel with outages and emergency conditions.
Calculate necessary power equations.
Follow applicable NERC policies and procedures.
Maintain the security of confidential information and stay current with technology advances.
Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance and perform other related duties as assigned.
Develop, mentor, and provide technical direction and instruction to team members.