Distribution System Operator

TECO Energy•Tampa, FL

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Distribution System Operator (DSO) analyzes, coordinates, dispatches, and documents trouble calls and switching tasks within Tampa Electric’s distribution system. Using independent judgment and limited direction from a Senior DSO or DCC Supervisor, the operator directs field personnel responding to system issues, customer problems, and service requests. The role requires verifying circuit configurations and communicating clearly with field crews to support safe work, monitoring system alarms and crew locations, and coordinating service restoration and maintenance activities. The operator uses customer information, circuit maps, ADMS, EMS, CAD, and other resources to investigate incidents and determine appropriate responses. Duties also include issuing and managing energized work permits, documenting field findings, entering customer calls, deciding when service can be restored, and calling out crews for emergency work. The position has authority to direct troubleshooters, substation personnel, and transmission and distribution line crews as needed. A Senior Distribution System Operator performs DSO duties independently and provides leadership in the Distribution Control Center. Senior duties include directing restoration and maintenance work, issuing distribution and substation switching, and supporting DSO instruction, review, and training. Additional assignments and studies related to grid modernization may also be required. The position is performed indoors in an office environment. Operators work a rotating schedule covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week; significant overtime and extended shifts, sometimes exceeding five consecutive days, are required. The role involves high-stress situations and participation in emergency and storm response is a condition of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet at least one required experience pathway: one year as a Journeyman Lineworker, Troubleshooter, or Substation Electrician; two years as a Control Center Plant Operator, Combined Cycle Specialist, or IGCC Process Specialist; two years performing Tampa Electric Dispatcher duties; three years performing equivalent dispatcher duties at another electric utility; two years in a related Tampa Electric technical role such as Cable Splicer, Distribution Design Technician, or Planner/Scheduler; three years in an equivalent related technical role at another utility; or two years of related degreed engineering experience at an electric utility.
For Senior DSO duties, experience performing TEC DSO duties, completion of additional DSO training modules covering Underground Commercial Distribution, Airport, Distribution Network, and Substation Switching, and demonstrated ability to perform switching-desk duties independently; alternatively, at least two years of direct experience performing equivalent Distribution System Operator duties at another electric utility.
For Senior DSO duties, working knowledge of Tampa Electric or a similar electric distribution system.
For Senior DSO duties, demonstrated success managing ADMS and EMS applications for restoration.
For Senior DSO duties, demonstrated initiative and independence in work assignments and potential to assume greater responsibilities.
For Senior DSO duties, knowledge or ability in originating and issuing distribution, substation, underground commercial distribution and/or distribution network, and load-transfer switching.
Work a rotating schedule covering 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and significant overtime.
Work extended hours and shifts that may involve more than five consecutive days.
Work in high-stress situations.
Participate in emergency and disaster response and recovery activities, including storm response.

Nice To Haves

Related college or technical degree, lineworker experience, or substation electrician experience.
Experience with computer applications such as ADMS, CAD, GIS, and WorkPro.
Strong working knowledge of underground and overhead switching.

Responsibilities

Verify circuit configurations using primary maps in ADMS and communicate with field forces before issuing energized work permits or switching instructions.
Monitor field-force locations and ensure personnel are clear when working in areas or on circuits affected by an operation or anomaly.
Use three-way communication to confirm that field forces correctly receive switching, tagging, and other instructions.
Analyze trouble incidents using customer information, damage details, circuit maps, ADMS, EMS, and other resources, then direct field personnel to resolve them.
Monitor ADMS and CAD information and alarms to identify actual or potential customer problems, outages, and distribution-system trouble, and deploy field forces as appropriate.
Install and remove energized work permits and take back permits that have been released.
Document results of field visits and report unusual electrical-system or customer problems to the DCC Supervisor or DCC Manager.
Coordinate and direct service-area crews to resolve system or customer problems during normal and abnormal hours and storm conditions.
Enter customer calls into ADMS as needed during abnormal hours and use current cut-off information to determine whether and under what conditions service can be restored.
Determine the appropriate emergency response and use the ARCOS automated call-out program to call in crews, troubleshooters, other DSOs, and supervisors as needed.
As a Senior DSO, perform DSO duties independently and provide leadership in the Distribution Control Center for restoration and maintenance work.
As a Senior DSO, write and issue distribution, substation, Underground Commercial Distribution, Distribution Network, airport, and load-transfer switching.
As a Senior DSO, guide DSOs on switching and energized-work-permit instructions, review DSO switching, and support DSO training.
Complete other complex grid-modernization projects, assignments, and studies as needed.