Distribution Operator: Real-Time Grid Control & Reliability

aes; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

AES Ohio, part of The AES Corporation, serves about 500,000 customers in Southwest-Central Ohio with 14,800 miles of distribution lines and 150+ substations. Under limited direction, the Distribution Operator controls and operates distribution resources, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while coordinating switching and outages.

The role emphasizes real-time actions, reliability, and collaboration with field crews and EMS systems to support a stable, resilient electric grid.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical field preferred but not required.
• Associate degree with aptitude in math and electrical theory accepted with related experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Company-level training completion required.

Responsibilities

• Implements real-time actions, including shedding load under operator guidance.
• Directs safety and reliability actions for field crews and equipment.
• Directs switching/tagging for LOTO isolation on mainline gear.
• Responds to disturbances to maintain continuous electricity supply.
• Communicates status of abnormal conditions to team and management.
• Monitors reactive reserves to ensure system reliability.
• Mentor trainees through operator training program.
• Review and update department SOPs annually.
• Use system model to simulate removal of elements and study contingencies.
• Assist with outage scheduling and write switch orders.
• Develop and maintain tools for model updates and contingency analysis.

Skills

Grid operations

Real-time decision making

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Electrical theory

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Associate degree with math/electrical aptitude

Equivalent combinations of education and experience

Company-level training completion

Job description

AES Ohio, part of The AES Corporation, serves about 500,000 customers in Southwest-Central Ohio with 14,800 miles of distribution lines and 150+ substations. Under limited direction, the Distribution Operator controls and operates distribution resources, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while coordinating switching and outages.

The role emphasizes real-time actions, reliability, and collaboration with field crews and EMS systems to support a stable, resilient electric grid.