Outage Coordinator

City of Lubbock • 402 Municipal Drive Lubbock, TX

1d

About The Position

The Outage Coordinator coordinates planned, unplanned, and emergency outages so field crews and system operators have accurate information, clear switching plans, and a shared restoration strategy. The role connects the control room with field operations, Engineering, ERCOT, Oncor, contractors, and other partners, using utility operational systems and system maps to support safe, efficient restoration of electric service.

The position monitors outage and system information, prepares and verifies switching plans and orders within assigned qualifications, and supports safe work sequencing and restoration. It also validates operational records and documentation, supports and coaches control-room personnel while preserving qualified on-duty System Operators’ independent real-time operating authority, and contributes to compliance reviews and reliability improvements.

This position works in a control-center or office environment and may require access to field or operational locations. Emergency, on-call, rotating, or extended hours—including nights, weekends, and holidays—may be required as necessary. The position is subject to NERC CIP-004 personnel risk assessment requirements, extensive background checks, and random drug screening.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an electrical, technical, or business-related discipline, or four years of equivalent practical experience in lieu of the degree.
• Either at least four years of experience as a NERC Certified System Operator, with progressively responsible experience at the System Operator IV level, or at least five years of experience as an Electric Lineman or Engineer, with progressively responsible experience in electric utility transmission, distribution, substation operations, line operations, electrical construction, system engineering, or a closely related field.
• Current NERC Transmission Operator (TO) or Reliability Coordinator (RC) certification, or ability to obtain certification within twelve months of appointment.
• Demonstrated experience with switching, outages, restoration, and field operations, including ability to interpret one-line diagrams and operational data.
• Knowledge of transmission and distribution operations and safe coordination of switching and restoration.
• Knowledge of SCADA, OMS, GIS, and operational data, and ability to maintain accurate system and outage information.
• Ability to interpret one-line diagrams, system conditions, equipment status, and operational constraints.
• Ability to communicate clearly and coordinate effectively with control-room, field, engineering, and external partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, organize competing priorities, and respond effectively during time-sensitive events.
• Meet NERC CIP-004 personnel risk assessment and ongoing requirements; complete required background checks, identity verification, and Personnel Risk Assessment, and satisfactorily repeat applicable requirements every seven years.

Nice To Haves

• Experience coordinating electric utility outages, restoration, or control-center activities.
• Experience working with SCADA, OMS, GIS, or related utility operational systems.
• Experience with NERC/ERCOT requirements, IRO-017 activities, or operational compliance documentation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate planned and emergency outages, switching plans, equipment status, and restoration activities with System Operations, field personnel, ERCOT, Oncor, Engineering, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor outage and system information using SCADA, OMS, GIS, DASMAP, one-line diagrams, and system maps to maintain operational awareness and accurate restoration status.
• Prepare and verify switching plans and orders within assigned qualifications, identify system conflicts or adverse impacts, and support safe work sequencing and restoration.
• Validate outage tickets, switching and hold tags, operational records, and related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Coach and support control-room personnel during switching, restoration, and emergency situations while maintaining the independent real-time operating authority of qualified on-duty System Operators.
• Analyze outage and operational issues, support NERC/ERCOT reviews and compliance documentation, and apply lessons learned to reliability and process improvements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior