Electric System Operator

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

About The Position

Responsible for safely dispatching customer outages to multiple field personnel, analyzing outage data, and accurately documenting restoration. This is a single position posted at multiple levels; the description is based on the Electrical System Operator level, and the successful candidate will be offered a level commensurate with skills and experience. The role prioritizes routine and emergency work, communicates instructions through radio, telephone, and written applications, and maintains paper or electronic mapping systems. It requires working under pressure during critical system conditions and providing training and leadership to dispatchers in lower grade levels. The operator produces and issues switching orders, operates SCADA during switching procedures, writes operational procedures for substations and distribution feeders, interfaces with transmission operations, and leads outage recovery. The role includes shift work on days, evenings, and midnights, including weekends and holidays. Planned, holdover, and call-out overtime is expected frequently, and quick response to emergency overtime and a high acceptance rate are required. Occasional overnight travel may be required for outage restoration, district interaction, or training.

Requirements

Previous experience as an Electric System Operator or Distribution Dispatcher Sr. as defined in AEP's Distribution Dispatch Development Program.
Successful completion of the System Operations/Power Dispatch (SOPD) test.
Good safety record and knowledge of electrical safety procedures and AEP's Accident Prevention Manual.
Work history demonstrating dependability and responsiveness to business needs.
Excellent attendance record.
Satisfactory hearing and ability to identify line colors.
Demonstrated ability to work well with others and be a team player.
Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a high-stress environment for extended periods.
Computer literacy and ability to learn new computer programs.
Willingness and desire to listen to and satisfy internal and external customers.
Ability to work days, evenings, and midnight shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Ability to respond quickly to emergency overtime; a high acceptance rate for overtime is required.

Responsibilities

Prioritize routine and emergency work to meet internal and external customer needs.
Communicate verbal instructions clearly and precisely using radio and telephone systems, and provide clear written communications through various applications.
Update and maintain paper or electronic mapping systems.
Provide training and leadership to dispatchers in lower grade levels.
Produce and issue switching orders for routine and emergency work involving distribution substations or lines.
Operate SCADA during routine and emergency switching procedures.
Write operational procedures for switching substations and distribution feeders.
Interface with transmission operations.
Provide a leadership role in substation and distribution feeder outage recovery.
Respond quickly for emergency overtime and accept planned, holdover, and call-out overtime frequently.
Participate in and assist with planning team safety meetings.
Foster and maintain a positive work culture.
Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.