DCC Operator I - Midwest

110 Duke Energy Business Services, LLC; Plainfield (IN); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a skilled operator to monitor and manage outage events across the distribution system. You will coordinate field resources, model OMS/DMS/SCADA data, and issue safety tags to ensure safe and efficient restoration.

In this 24/7 role, you’ll work with Grid Management, Senior DCC Operators, and leadership to minimize outage impact and optimize MW reductions. On-site, rotating shifts and on-call duties apply.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proven computer and technical aptitude.
• Knowledge of distribution equipment and operations.

Responsibilities

• Direct outage dispatching for feeders and associated assets.
• Review outage data and coordinate field resources to restore power.
• Model and verify outage info in OMS and DMS.
• Maintain accurate Distribution System model in OMS/DMS.
• Authorize and model HLT, Clearance, DNO, and Information tags.
• Direct switching as needed to optimize MWs from DMS.
• Monitor DSCADA and DMS alarms; respond to issues.
• Assist restoration during large outages and ensure data accuracy.

Skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Distribution systems knowledge

Education

High school Diploma/GED

Associate degree

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.

Required/Basic Qualifications

• High-school Diploma/GED
• Associate degree
• Previous Operator experience
• Good written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to deal with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated computer and technical aptitude.
• Knowledge of distribution systems, equipment, and operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Good written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to deal with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated computer and technical aptitude.
• Knowledge of distribution systems, equipment, and operations

Working Conditions

Onsite Mobility Classification – Work will be performed at a company facility.

On-site employees are also required to live within a reasonable daily commute to their assigned work location, not greater than 50 miles one way.

Office environment

Ability to work in a 24 X 7 rotating shift schedule.

Specific Requirements

• Applicants must earn a passing score on the System Operator/Power Dispatching test to be considered as a qualified candidate.
• Starting minimum pay is in mid $70,000 range.
• Travel Requirements 5-15%
• Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
• No Represented/Union Position
• No Visa Sponsored Position
• This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
• Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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