Senior Distribution System Operator

Eversource Energy•Manchester, NH

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Distribution System Operator oversees control center staff who maintain the systems integrity and initiate corrective action, prioritize and expedite network operations and repairs, prepare electrical system clearances and accurately maintain records, and ensures that work is conducted in a safe manner in accordance with policies, work methods, standards, switching and tagging and operating procedures. This role is responsible for providing guidance and oversight of on-shift Distribution System Operators. It involves interacting with internal and external customers to meet service and information needs and resolve complaints. Working in conjunction with the call center and field personnel, the Senior Distribution System Operator is accountable for managing customer commitments through outbound communication of information. They coordinate notification of reportable incidents to internal and external customers and stakeholders as appropriate. This position collaborates with field personnel to problem solve and develop effective response plans to outage situations, evaluates restoration alternatives, and determines the optimum plan to restore the system and provide status information to customers. The Senior Distribution System Operator calls crews to address field problems and directs field forces in restoration, maintenance, and electrical clearance activities. They oversee load control and switching and tagging responsibilities of the shift, and coordinate switching operations for area generating facilities. Additionally, they coordinate planned work across processes to fulfill related service level agreements, achieve company objectives, and obtain appropriate work distribution. This role analyzes requests for system outages and assesses risk to determine whether the outage will affect customer service and/or the systems integrity. The Senior Distribution System Operator maintains awareness of weather conditions that could adversely affect Eversource operations, disseminates this information to appropriate locations, and modifies operating plans as required. They prepare and distribute information regarding customer service, system conditions, and historical situations to internal and external customers and stakeholders. In the absence of non-union Supervisory personnel, this role assumes overall shift responsibilities for proper and consistent application of all established operating procedures, guides, and instructions. This is a union represented position, and anyone entering this position will be required to become a member of the union.

Requirements

Knowledge of utility Transmission and Distribution system design, operations, maintenance, and construction principles and practices, safety standards and business processes.
Planning and organizational skills.
Project and schedule management skills including computerized trouble, work and materials management and scheduling tools.
Ability to use PC desktop applications (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel).
Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, business administration, related discipline or equivalent experience.
Minimum of seven (7) years related dispatching experience, including work in distribution, generation station operations, electrical maintenance, power system protection and control, or equivalent operations experience.
OR three (3) years experience in the SOC Distribution System Operator position with a proven leadership track record, including supporting needed shift coverage.
Must successfully pass all required pre-employment assessments.
Must be available to work emergency restoration assignment as required.
Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.
Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license required.
Ability to analyze system operating conditions, interpret system data and implement corrective action.
Ability to perform multiple simultaneous activities, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
Ability to articulate job-related information to employees and effectively address performance issues constructively.
Must become a member of the union.

Nice To Haves

Proven leadership track record (if applying with 3 years of experience).

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and oversight of on-shift Distribution System Operators.
Interact with internal and external customers to meet service and information needs and resolve complaints.
Manage customer commitments through outbound communication of information in conjunction with the call center and field personnel.
Coordinate notification of reportable incidents to internal and external customers and stakeholders.
Collaborate with field personnel to problem solve and develop effective response plans to outage situations.
Evaluate restoration alternatives and determine the optimum plan to restore the system and provide status information to customers.
Call crews to address field problems and direct field forces in restoration, maintenance, and electrical clearance activities.
Oversee load control and switching and tagging responsibilities of the shift.
Coordinate switching operations for area generating facilities.
Coordinate planned work across processes to fulfill related service level agreements, achieve company objectives, and obtain appropriate work distribution.
Analyze requests for system outages and assess risk to determine whether the outage will affect customer service and/or the systems integrity.
Maintain awareness of weather conditions that could adversely affect Eversource operations and disseminate this information.
Modify operating plans as required based on weather conditions.
Prepare and distribute information regarding customer service, system conditions, and historical situations.
Assume overall shift responsibilities in the absence of non-union Supervisory personnel.
Respond to emergency situations as part of the employee's role, potentially involving an Emergency Restoration assignment outside of normal responsibilities, hours, and location.