Distribution System Operations Real-Time Reliability Coordinator

American Electric Power; New Albany (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator to monitor real-time DER impacts and coordinate actions across DDCs, SCC, and Transmission to maintain distribution reliability. This on-site role is based in New Albany, Ohio, reporting into the DSO operations team.

You'll perform real-time assessments, identify constraints, and support grid services investments, including DERMS and Volt/VAR optimization, while advancing coordination practices and documentation.

Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent.
• High School diploma with two years experience operating a civil or military power system.
• Must satisfactorily complete HireVue Dispatcher Worker assessment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, assess, and communicate real-time impacts of DERs/DERAs on distribution system reliability; includes voltage, loading, protection coordination, backfeed, and operating limits.
• Coordinate with DDCs, SCC, Transmission, and other partners to incorporate DER impacts into switching, restoration, planned work, grid services, and other real-time operating actions.
• Identify DER-related system constraints, emerging reliability risks, and mitigation strategies; communicate recommendations clearly during normal and critical system conditions.
• Perform real-time and look-ahead reliability assessments and contingency analyses to support operational decision-making.
• Support DER/DERA grid service operations, including voltage support, load management, restoration support, resiliency applications, and evolving market participation needs.
• Maintain accurate operational records and support process, tool, and documentation improvements for DERMS, ADMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR, and related capabilities.

Skills

Fast-paced operations adaptation

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Travel/relocation willingness

Education

2-year technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent

High School diploma + 2 years power system experience

Job description

Job Summary

The DSO Real-Time Reliability Coordinator provides real-time evaluation and coordination of DER impacts to support reliable DDC operations. This role works across DDCs, the SCC, Transmission, engineering, planning, applications, and external stakeholders to identify reliability risks, communicate system constraints, recommend mitigation strategies, and support DER-enabled grid services. The Coordinator level is expected to perform core duties with increasing independence while helping mature DSO operational models, tools, documentation, and coordination practices.

Job Description

What you’ll do:

• Monitor, assess, and communicate real-time impacts of DERs/DERAs on distribution system reliability, including voltage, loading, protection coordination, backfeed, and operating limits.
• Coordinate with DDCs, SCC, Transmission, and other partners to incorporate DER impacts into switching, restoration, planned work, grid services, and other real-time operating actions.
• Identify DER-related system constraints, emerging reliability risks, and mitigation strategies; communicate recommendations clearly during normal and critical system conditions.
• Perform real-time and look-ahead reliability assessments and contingency analyses to support operational decision-making.
• Support DER/DERA grid service operations, including voltage support, load management, restoration support, resiliency applications, and evolving FERC Order 2222/market participation needs.
• Maintain accurate operational records and support process, tool, and documentation improvements for DERMS, ADMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR, and related capabilities.

What we’re looking for:

DSO Real Time Reliability Coord SG6

Education:

• Two (2) year Technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent
• OR High School and two (2) years experience operating a civil or military power system
• This job requires "recommended" test results from HireVue Dispatcher Worker Virtual Job Tryout. This assessment is completed online, is untimed, and typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Please refer to the Employment Test Prep section of our website https://www.aep.com/careers/testprep/.

Experience:

• In addition to the experience requirements included in the education requirements, Six (6) months or more experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity. External experience in dispatching, system operations, or reliability coordination will be evaluated.

Must satisfactorily complete all required training, qualification requirements, and testing to progress to the next level within the DSO Real-Time Reliability Coordinator progression framework within the established timeframe or vacate the position.

License/Certifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator Senior SG7

Education:

• Two (2) year Technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent OR High School and two (2) years experience operating a civil or military power system.
• This job requires "recommended" test results from HireVue Dispatcher Worker Virtual Job Tryout. This assessment is completed online, is untimed, and typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Please refer to the Employment Test Prep section of our website https://www.aep.com/careers/testprep/.

Experience:

• In addition to the experience requirements included in the education requirements, Two (2) years or more experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity.
• External experience in dispatching, system operations, or reliability coordination will be evaluated.

License/Certifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator Principal SG8

Education:

• Two (2) year Technical degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering or equivalent OR High School and two (2) years’ experience operating a civil or military power system.
• This job requires "recommended" test results from HireVue Dispatcher Worker Virtual Job Tryout. This assessment is completed online, is untimed, and typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Please refer to the Employment Test Prep section of our website https://www.aep.com/careers/testprep/.

Experience:

• In addition to the experience requirements included in the education requirements, Four (4) years or more experience in distribution operations, transmission operations, dispatching, system operations, reliability coordination, DER operations, technical customer support/service, or another relevant utility operations capacity.
• External experience in dispatching, system operations, or reliability coordination will be evaluated.

License/Certifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• Certifications associated with NERC, EPRI, or RTO/ISOs may be required as the AEP DSO and industry requirements evolve

In addition:

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operations environment, communicate clearly, follow instructions, and make sound decisions during critical system conditions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including operations personnel, customers, management, technical writers, and subject matter experts.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, accept on-call responsibilities, respond to callouts, and occasionally travel for training or cross-exposure opportunities.
• Must successfully complete required training, testing, and progression requirements established by the business.
• Must reside within, or be willing to relocate within, two hours of the reporting location if required by the business.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of distributed energy resources (DERs), distributed energy resource aggregations (DERAs), virtual power plants, utility grid operations, real-time protection and control, cybersecurity, and DER communications.
• Familiarity with ADMS, DERMS, distribution automation, FLISR, Volt/VAR optimization, overcurrent coordination, islanding strategies, wholesale energy markets, RTO/ISO operations, and FERC Order 2222 impacts on distribution operations

Where you’ll work:

This role sits on site in New Albany, Ohio

What you’ll get:

DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator SG6 ($74,551-$93,188)

DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator Senior SG7 ($87,633-$109,544)

DSO Real Time Reliability Coordinator Principal SG8 ($98,993-$128,689)

In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

American Electric Power (On-Site)

$74K- $128K / Year

#LI-Onsite

#AEPCareers

#realtime

#distributionsystemoperations

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-006

Compensation Range:

$74,551.00 - $128,688.00

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.