Coordinator

AEP; New Albany (OH); On-site; USD 99,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power in New Albany, OH seeks a DSO Real-Time Reliability Coordinator Principal to lead complex DER/DERA coordination and develop operational practices for reliability and resilience. You will partner with internal and external stakeholders to optimize real-time actions and grid services, including voltage support and restoration efforts.

The role requires a technical degree or equivalent experience, 4+ years in distribution operations, and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent, or High School with two years’ power system experience.
• Four years or more experience in distribution or system operations, reliability coordination, or related utility roles.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Certifications such as NERC, EPRI, or RTO/ISO may be required as the role evolves.

Responsibilities

• Monitor real-time impacts of DERs/DERAs on distribution reliability, including voltage and loading.
• Coordinate with DDCs, SCC, Transmission and partners to incorporate DER impacts into real-time actions.
• Identify DER-related constraints and communicate mitigation strategies.
• Perform real-time and look-ahead reliability assessments to support decisions.
• Support DER/DERA grid services operations and resiliency initiatives.
• Maintain accurate operational records and contribute to tool/documentation improvements in DERMS/ADMS.

Skills

Communication

Decision making

Team collaboration

DER knowledge

Operations coordination

Education

Two-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering

High School plus 2 years relevant power-system experience

Tools

DERMS

ADMS

FLISR

Volt/VAR

Job description

Coordinator### CoordinatorApply: New Albany, OH: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: November 21, 2026 (11 days left to apply): R20995**Job Posting End Date**11-21-2026Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.**Job Summary**The DSO Real-Time Reliability Coordinator Principal serves as a subject matter expert and strategic reliability resource for AEP's centralized Distribution System Operations (DSO) function. This role leads complex DER, DERA, and ADER coordination activities; develops work practices, procedures, training, and operational documentation; and partners with internal and external stakeholders to improve technology, processes, and operating models. The Principal level represents AEP in industry groups, gathers best practices, provides industry advisory support, and helps shape the future of DER-enabled distribution operations while supporting system reliability and resilience.**Job Description****What you’ll do:*** Monitor, assess, and communicate real-time impacts of DERs/DERAs on distribution system reliability, including voltage, loading, protection coordination, backfeed, and operating limits.* Coordinate with DDCs, SCC, Transmission, and other partners to incorporate DER impacts into switching, restoration, planned work, grid services, and other real-time operating actions.* Identify DER-related system constraints, emerging reliability risks, and mitigation strategies; communicate recommendations clearly during normal and critical system conditions.* Perform real-time and look-ahead reliability assessments and contingency analyses to support operational decision-making.* Support DER/DERA grid service operations, including voltage support, load management, restoration support, resiliency applications, and evolving FERC Order 2222/market participation needs.* Maintain accurate operational records and support process, tool, and documentation improvements for DERMS, ADMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR, and related capabilities. **What we’re looking for:****DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator Principal SG8***Education:** Two (2) year Technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent OR High School and two (2) years’ experience operating a civil or military power system.* This job requires \"recommended\" test results from **HireVue Dispatcher Worker**Virtual Job Tryout. This assessment is completed online, is untimed, and typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Please refer to the Employment Test Prep section of our website https://www.aep.com/careers/testprep/.*Experience:** In addition to the experience requirements included in the education requirements, Four (4) years or more experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity.* External experience in dispatching, system operations, or reliability coordination will be evaluated.*License/Certifications:** Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.* Certifications associated with NERC, EPRI, or RTO/ISOs may be required as the AEP DSO and industry requirements evolve *In addition:** Experience as a Distribution Dispatcher Level 3.2.1 or Electric System Operator preferred for this role* Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operations environment, communicate clearly, follow instructions, and make sound decisions during critical system conditions.* Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including operations personnel, customers, management, technical writers, and subject matter experts.* Willingness to work rotating shifts, accept on-call responsibilities, respond to callouts, and occasionally travel for training or cross-exposure opportunities.* Must successfully complete required training, testing, and progression requirements established by the business.* Must reside within, or be willing to relocate within, two hours of the reporting location if required by the business.* *Preferred Qualifications:** Knowledge of distributed energy resources (DERs), distributed energy resource aggregations (DERAs), virtual power plants, utility grid operations, real-time protection and control, cybersecurity, and DER communications.* Familiarity with ADMS, DERMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR optimization, overcurrent coordination, islanding strategies, wholesale energy markets, RTO/ISO operations, and FERC Order 2222 impacts on distribution operations In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees. **Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do**At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!American Electric Power (On-Site)#LI-Onsite#AEPCareers#realtime#distributionsystemoperations**Compensation Data****Compensation Grade:**SP20-008**Compensation Range:**$98,993.00 - $128,688.00The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.