Electric System Operator

American Electric Power•Gahanna, OH

1d•$63,496 - $109,544•Onsite

About The Position

The Electric System Operator (Distribution Dispatcher) coordinates, regulates, and controls the real-time operation of the electric distribution system to provide reliable, safe, and efficient service. As part of the Distribution Control Center team, the role monitors SCADA and grid telemetry, makes decisions to isolate faults, restore service, and reconfigure feeders, and coordinates crews and contractors. The operator issues safe switching orders, manages outage priorities during storms and emergencies, and communicates status updates to operations leadership and stakeholders. The role offers hands-on experience with advanced grid controls and a career progression pathway through Distribution Dispatcher classifications. The position requires rotating shifts of 10–12 hours, which may change monthly, and high availability for call-out response. Due to call-out responsibilities, the employee must live or be willing to relocate within 45 minutes of the AEPOH Gahanna building at 700 Morrison Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. Employees must complete the required training and testing to progress through the classification pathway within the specified timeframes. The position involves working under pressure during critical system conditions and making decisions that can affect reliability, customer service priorities, personnel safety, equipment, revenue, and public perception.

Requirements

For the Distribution Dispatcher Associate level: a bachelor's degree in any field; or an associate degree in electrical or electronic technology; or a high school diploma with two years of technical customer support and service experience, including successful multitasking and handling multiple programs or screens.
For the Distribution Dispatcher and Distribution Dispatcher Senior levels: meet the stated education requirement, or have a high school diploma with two years of technical customer support and service experience, including successful multitasking and handling multiple programs or screens, in addition to the applicable work experience requirement.
For Distribution Dispatcher: at least two years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher Associate; successfully complete training and pass the Distribution Dispatcher examination.
For Distribution Dispatcher Senior: at least two years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher; successfully complete training and pass the Distribution Dispatcher Senior examination.
Maintain high availability for call-out response.
Live or be willing to relocate within 45 minutes of the AEPOH Gahanna building.
Complete the required training and testing to progress to the next level within two years for the Distribution Dispatcher Associate classification and within four years to the Distribution Dispatcher classification, or vacate the position.
Be able to work under pressure during critical system conditions and handle diverse situations simultaneously.
Obtain recommended results on the HireVue Dispatcher Worker Virtual Job Tryout pre-employment assessment.

Responsibilities

Promote and enforce the Company's Safety and Health programs.
Follow written company and department policies and procedures.
Demonstrate ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policy.
Operate company communication equipment effectively.
Monitor SCADA and grid telemetry and track crew locations and ongoing work on the distribution system.
Dispatch service personnel to respond to outages and emergencies.
Coordinate crews and contractors and issue safe switching orders.
Authorize the energizing and restoration of distribution facilities.
Manage outage priorities during storms and emergencies.
Maintain accurate outage records.
Maintain accurate records of abnormal and defective distribution equipment.
Communicate clear status updates to operations leadership and stakeholders.