Distribution Control Center (DCC) Operator I

Duke Energy; Garner (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a Senior Distribution Control Center (DCC) Operator to monitor outage events, coordinate field resources, and maintain accurate OMS/DMS models for optimal MW reductions. This role requires strong technical aptitude, safety awareness, and the ability to work in a fast-paced 24/7 environment.

Successful candidates will pass the SOPD II test and complete Operator Training Certification, progressing from Operator I to II, with an eighteen to twenty-four month development path.

Qualifications

• High-school Diploma/GED.
• Associate degree or technical-based degree preferred.
• Experience as an operator or utility experience preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct outage dispatching for feeder level outages and below and assist with substation outages.
• Authorize, record and model tags in OMS/DMS and maintain an accurate distribution model.
• Monitor SCADA and DMS systems, and remotely operate circuit breakers, reclosers, and regulators.
• Assist in directing restoration efforts for large outages and develop emergency switching orders.

Skills

Verbal communications

Written communications

Distribution systems knowledge

Computer/technical aptitude

Education

High-school Diploma/GED

Associate degree

Technical-based degree

Job description

Position Summary

Join a team at the heart of grid reliability and customer impact, where your decisions help restore power and keep communities running. The Distribution Control Center (DCC) is the hub that monitors and controls the electric distribution system, coordinates switching and restoration activities, as well as completes device commissioning and modeling to safely and reliably serve customers.

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 and contributing to emergency and storm response operations.

This role serves as vital support 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, troubleshoot and analyses 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, Sr DCC Operator, or designee directs and models switching activities in order to maintain an accurate distribution model of the system for the best optimization for megawatts (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 SCADA 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 SCADA 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree
• Technical-based degree
• Previous Operator experience
• Utility Experience

Additional 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

• Office environment
• If training and experiences will take place in a non-office environment, the individual provides work boots as specified.
• Ability to work in a 24 X 7 rotating shift schedule
• Overtime and being on-call may be needed to meet business needs.
• 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. There may be times that this position will be required to report to a different work location to meet business needs.

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

Not required

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) No

Represented/Union Position No

Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a 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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