Power Distribution System Operator I - EXAM

City of Columbus•Varies by position, OH

About The Position

Under immediate supervision, is responsible for monitoring detection systems, such as the Outage Management System (OMS), and documenting the day-to-day operations of the power distribution and transmission control system; performs related duties as required.

Requirements

  • One (1) year of experience in electrical work.
  • Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

  • Significant college coursework (twelve (12) semester or fifteen (15) quarter hours) in power distribution, electrical systems, electrical engineering, or a closely related field may substitute for the experience.
  • Proof of completion of the classroom curriculum for a vocational educational program in power distribution or electrical theory may substitute for the required experience.
  • North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) System Operator Certification may substitute for the required experience.

Responsibilities

  • Monitors and operates the Outage Management System (OMS) to detect and respond to power distribution outages.
  • Troubleshoots and promptly acts on OMS incidents to locate the trouble; assists the field crews in troubleshooting outages by providing available information; calls in emergency utility locating tickets; assists in determining if possible damage/problem should be repaired on an emergency basis or during regular work hours.
  • Enters trouble tickets and outage information into computerized work management system(s); monitors progress on trouble tickets and provides accurate restoration information, as needed.
  • Answers questions and collects and relays information via phone and two-way radio to others.
  • Responds, orally and in writing, to a high volume of communications from the public sector, general public, and emergency entities during normal and emergency situations.
  • Dispatches field crews to identify, diagnose, and repair problems on the transmission and distribution system.
  • Records and maintains up-to-date real-time reported power outages, problems in distribution of power supply, and crew locations.
  • Prepares and maintains daily operations and crew logs; assists in the preparation of major outage reports for system reliability history and statistics.
  • Performs call-outs for field crews, system operators, and/or supervisors during off-hours emergencies.
  • Monitors the transmission and distribution Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and notifies supervisor or management of unusual conditions and alarm statuses; learns to operate SCADA.
  • Actively tracks locations of field personnel to serve as central control for the Division's lock-out/tag-out system and to secure safety for crews and others working on or near energized circuits.
  • Follows prescribed safety rules at all times.
  • Monitors and responds to concerns in ancillary systems such as the Interactive Voice Response (IVR), telephone, radio, fire alarm, and security systems.
  • Assists the GIS section in updating power system record maps.
  • Manually takes readings in the field for controls of the distribution/transmission system in order to facilitate emergency operations and when SCADA is unavailable; may manually operate controls in the field.
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