Distribution Operator I-Sr

Entergy Corporation; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Entergy is seeking a Distribution Operator II to ensure safe and reliable operation of the electric distribution system in Baton Rouge, LA. The role involves directing switching, system configuration, monitoring, and communicating with field crews and control centers to restore outages quickly.

This onsite position requires extensive experience, with opportunities for progression to Trainee/I/Sr based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with at least 4 years of relevant work experience.
• Or, a 2-year degree in a technical area with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in electrical distribution operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understanding of operating instructions, safety manual, and switching/clearance policies.
• Allocate and direct personnel for trouble work; prioritize outages to use resources efficiently.
• Identify and help resolve technical, operational, and organizational challenges.
• Oversee after-hours call-out; input outage data into OMS; provide restoration updates.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair distribution system issues; respond to disturbances.
• Oversee switching, tagging, and clearance; manage field personnel via SCADA; review switching plans.
• Coordinate large switching projects involving substations and distribution lines.
• Maintain relationships with Operations Center and service staff; escalate as needed.
• Monitor weather tools and alert personnel about severe conditions.
• Monitor real-time system parameters and take corrective actions.
• Initiate and complete work orders; respond to field inquiries; update OMS.
• Provide information to Data Maintenance Support about OMS updates and issues.
• Initiate and restore system emergencies, including load shedding and blackstart operations.
• Possess accountability for cybersecurity-related areas as needed.
• Able to work a 24-hour rotating shift, including nights and weekends.

Education

High School Diploma or GED with 4+ years of relevant work experience in a technical field or related military experience

2-year technical degree in electrical technology/electrical engineering technology with at least 2 years of relevant work experience

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Job Title: Distribution Operator II

Work Place Flexibility: Onsite

Legal Entity: Entergy Services, LLC

This position can be filled as a Distribution Operator Trainee, I, II, or Sr depending upon the candidate's qualifications**

Job Summary/Purpose

Responsible for ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the electric distribution system, this role encompasses directing switching personnel, system configuration, and system monitoring. Effective communication with field crews, substation personnel, contractors, industrial accounts, transmission control centers, and management is essential, particularly when monitoring system conditions to anticipate and mitigate potential reliability issues. Distribution Operators undergo continual training to enhance their system knowledge and utilize simulations to practice new scenarios, broadening their expertise. They are tasked with responding to and restoring the electric distribution system to safe operating conditions before, during, and after major disturbances. This position relies heavily on extensive experience and judgment to plan and achieve objectives.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of general operating instructions, the Entergy T&D Safety Manual, and the Switching, Tagging & Clearance policy
• Utilize independent judgment to allocate and direct suitable personnel for incoming trouble work; prioritize outages to maximize the utilization of available resources.
• Identify and help resolve technical, operational, and organizational challenges.
• Oversee the after-hours call-out process, accurately input outage data into the OMS, and furnish Entergy support personnel and customers with timely and precise restoration updates.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and initiate repairs of electrical distribution system issues, including providing troubleshooting support for field responders. Analyze and respond promptly in cases of system disturbances to restore the system to its normal configuration.
• Oversee Entergy’s switching, tagging, and clearance processes to ensure safety standards. Manage field personnel and/or control devices via SCADA. Develop, review, and approve planned switching procedures. Implement contingency switching plans to address customer outages within the distribution substation and line system.
• Coordinate and manage large switching projects involving substation and distribution line resources.
• Interacts with Operations Center personnel and maintains effective working relationships with other operations centers and service center staff. Demonstrates exemplary internal and/or external customer service in the process of restoring outages. Identifies and informs others when additional operations center or local office resources are required to manage outage response.
• Monitors and utilize all-weather tools and alerts affected personnel regarding potential severe conditions.
• Continuously monitor Distribution System parameters, including voltage, line flows, equipment loading, and alarm conditions, in real time, and implement appropriate corrective actions as necessary.
• Responsible for initiating and completing work orders, providing information in response to field inquiries, and updating the OMS for outage-related scenarios; answer and address calls on the emergency line.
• Provide information to Data Maintenance Support personnel about updates, missing devices, incorrect predictions, and other issues in OMS.
• Initiate and restore system emergencies, including load shedding (automatic or manual) and blackstart operations.
• Execute actions and assume accountability as necessary for areas involving Cyber Security Assets
• Able to work a 24-hour rotating shift schedule, including nights and weekends.

Minimum Requirements

Distribution Operator I:

• Tier 0 – 2 Qualifications must be obtained within the first 12 months of employment.
• Failure to obtain the required qualifications within the specified time frame will result in termination of employment for this position.
• No prior work experience is required, depending on the level of education. This is an entry-level position with assignments and learning activities designed to develop operator skill sets for applied competencies and tasks.

Distribution Operator II

Preferred: 18 months of experience as a Distribution Operator I or equivalent work experience and/or Tier 2 Qualification.

Qualifications: Capable of handling all day-to-day tasks as well as more complex operator tasks with minimal oversight. Expected to analyze available data, draw conclusions, and act accordingly to operate Entergy’s Distribution System.

Distribution Operator, Sr

Preferred: 18 months of experience as a Distribution Operator II or equivalent work experience and/or Tier 3 Qualification.

Qualifications: Possesses substantial technical expertise in specialized areas regarding distribution operations. Capable of completing the most complex tasks with minimal to no oversight. Demonstrates strong customer service skills when completing tasks.

Note: In-family progression may occur before or after the minimum experience requirement based on performance and approval from the DOC Manager or higher authority.

Transferable Equivalent Experience

• Relevant military experience, preferably in technical or electrical fields.
• Experience with relays, substations, and control centers.
• Background in power generation, transmission, or distribution operations.
• Proficiency in Electric Transmission or Distribution switching and engineering.
• Operational and technical knowledge of substation equipment and the ability to interpret one-line diagrams.
• Demonstrated understanding of power flow and power flow principles.
• Experience with SCADA/Control Systems.
• Familiarity with process operations or gas operations of flows and systems

Minimum Education Required Of The Position

• High School Diploma or GED with at least 4 years of relevant work experience in a technical field or related military experience.
• OR, a 2-year degree in a technical area, preferably electrical technology, electrical engineering technology, or similar, with at least 2 years of relevant work experience