Electric System Operator

American Electric Power•Gahanna, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Electric System Operator (Distribution Dispatcher) coordinates, regulates, and controls the real-time operation of the electric distribution system to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient service. As part of the Distribution Control Center team, the operator monitors SCADA and grid telemetry, makes decisions to isolate faults, restore service, and reconfigure feeders, and coordinates field crews and contractors. The role includes issuing safe switching orders, managing outage priorities during storms and emergencies, and communicating status updates to operations leadership and stakeholders. The position requires rotating shifts of 10–12 hours, which may change monthly, and high availability for call-out response. Employees must live or be willing to relocate within 45 minutes of the AEPOH Gahanna building in Gahanna, Ohio. Employees in the progression pathway must complete required training and testing to advance within specified time limits.

Requirements

For Distribution Dispatcher Associate: a bachelor's degree in any field, an associate degree in electrical or electronic technology, or a high school diploma plus 2 years of technical customer support and service experience, including successful multitasking and handling multiple programs or screens.
For Distribution Dispatcher: the listed education requirement, plus at least 2 years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher Associate; successfully complete training and pass the Distribution Dispatcher examination.
For Distribution Dispatcher Sr.: the listed education requirement, plus at least 2 years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher; successfully complete training and pass the Distribution Dispatcher Sr. examination.
For all levels, maintain high availability for call-out response and live or be willing to relocate within 45 minutes of the reporting location.
Complete required training and testing to progress to the next level within the Distribution Dispatcher Associate classification within 2 years and to the Distribution Dispatcher classification within 4 years, or vacate the position.
Work rotating shifts of 10–12 hours, which may change monthly.
Be able to work under pressure during critical system conditions and manage diverse situations simultaneously.
Make critical decisions affecting system reliability and service priorities.
Obtain recommended results on the HireVue Dispatcher Worker Virtual Job Tryout 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.
Track crew locations and ongoing work on the distribution system.
Dispatch service personnel to outage and emergency situations.
Authorize the energizing and restoration of distribution facilities.
Maintain accurate outage records.
Maintain accurate records of abnormal and defective distribution equipment.
Monitor SCADA and grid telemetry in real time.
Coordinate crews and contractors, issue safe switching orders, and manage outage priorities during storms and emergencies.
Communicate clear status updates to operations leadership and stakeholders.