DCC Operator I - Midwest

Duke Energy; Harrison (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a System Operator/Power Dispatching professional to support outage management, grid stability and restoration efforts. The role focuses on monitoring, analyzing and directing field resources while ensuring accurate real‑time data across OMS, DMS and SCADA systems.

It involves critical decision making in a 24/7 environment with training toward Operator II. Candidates will participate in an extensive Operator Training Certification program, with 18–24 months of classroom,

Qualifications

• Pass the SOPD II test.
• Complete Operator Training Certification program and progress to Operator II.
• 18–24 months of classroom, on‑the‑job and simulator training.

Responsibilities

• Direct outage dispatching for feeder level outages and below.
• Review outage information and dispatch field resources to restore power.
• Review, update and ensure correct outage information in OMS and DMS.
• Authorize and model HLT, Clearance, DNO and Information tags.
• Monitor DSCADA and DMS alarms and coordinate responses.
• Assist in directing restoration during large outages.
• Provide fault location analysis if not provided automatically.

Skills

SCADA

OMS

DMS

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Position Summary

Join a team at the heart of grid reliability and customer impact, where your decisions help restore power and keep communities running. In this critical, fast-paced role, you will play a key part in restoring power and supporting grid reliability by monitoring, analyzing, and managing outage events across Duke Energy's distribution system. You will evaluate outage data, coordinate and direct field resources, and ensure accurate, real-time information is captured to support efficient restoration efforts at the feeder level and below. Working closely with the technical Grid Management team, Senior DCC Operators, and DCC Operations leadership, you will also assist in substation restoration as needed. You will be responsible for modeling work within OMS, DMS, and/or SCADA systems, and controlling the Distribution grid. A critical responsibility as the grid Control Authority includes the issuance of safety and operational tags such as HLTs, Clearance, Do Not Operate, and Information Tags. All switching and tagging activities under the distribution control authority will be fully managed by this role, to ensure safe and efficient response to planned and emergent work impacting the distribution grid.

Successful candidates will thrive in high-pressure environments and are energized by problem-solving during critical events. You will play a vital role during abnormal conditions and large-scale outages, providing essential support to DCC Operators and contributing to emergency and storm response operations. This role serves as a vital support to DCC Operator II during abnormal or emergency events, requiring sound judgment and the ability to perform under pressure. This opportunity offers exposure to complex grid operations in a 24/7 environment, with rotational shifts and on-call responsibilities that directly support service reliability when it matters most. To be considered for this role, candidates must successfully pass the System Operator/Power Dispatching (SOPD) II test. Once selected for this role, all Operator I positions must successfully pass the Operator Training Certification program and progress to Operator II. The Operator Training Certification program typically takes eighteen to twenty-four months and consists of classroom instruction, on-the-job (OJT) training, and simulator training and assessments.

Responsibilities

Direct outage dispatching for feeder level outages and below and assist with substation outages. Review outage information and dispatch appropriate field resources to restore power, troubleshoots and analyzes problems to provide possible fault locations and direct restoration efforts. Review, update and ensure correct outage information is modeled in the Outage Management System (OMS) and Distribution Management System (DMS). Also, ensure that the Distribution System model is kept accurate in OMS and DMS to ensure the best optimization. Authorize, record and model in the OMS and DMS: Hot Line Tags (HLT), Clearance tags, Do Not Operate (DNO) tags, and Information tags. Under supervision and direction of Supervisor or Sr DCC Operator directs and models switching activities in order to maintain an accurate distribution model of the system for the best optimization for MWs from DMS. Periodically review tags in the system to ensure tags are removed promptly and that the system model and data are accurate. Monitor DSCADA and DMS systems including remotely opening and closing Feeder Circuit Breakers, Reclosers, and Regulators under normal and emergency situations. Install and remove HLTs remotely. Monitor alarms from DSCADA and DMS and assist with determining appropriate response (e.g. low/high voltages, transformer load/temperature alarms, abnormal feeder lockouts, etc.) and provide notification/reports to others. Assist in directing restoration efforts associated with large outages (e.g. feeder lockouts, substation outages, transmission line interruptions, etc.) and ensure that the OMS and DMS models are kept accurate for distribution system optimization to achieve MW reductions if called for on the Distribution System. Assist in developing and calling out emergency switching orders to isolate faults and restore power associated with these large outages. Provide possible fault locations, and if not provided automatically, perform the analysis to determine a predicted fault location.