Electric System Operator

AEP Ohio; Gahanna (OH); On-site; USD 63,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Electric System Operator (Distribution Dispatcher) at AEP Ohio in Gahanna coordinates real-time operation of the distribution grid to ensure reliable, safe service. You monitor SCADA, isolate faults, restore service, and coordinate crews with a focus on safety and customer satisfaction.

This role offers hands-on experience with advanced grid controls and a clear path for career growth in utility operations, with opportunities to advance to higher classifications and earnings of $100,000+

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in any field or an associate degree in electrical or electronic technology, or a high school diploma with 2 years of technical customer support experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher Associate.
• Must live within 45 minutes of the AEPOH Gahanna location or be willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Promote and enforce the Company's Safety and Health programs.
• Adhere to written company and department policies and procedures.
• Maintain ethical standards and support the Corporate Compliance Policy.
• Operate company communication equipment.
• Track crew locations and ongoing work on the distribution system.
• Dispatch service personnel to respond to outage and emergency situations.
• Authorize energizing and restoration of distribution facilities.
• Maintain accurate outage records.
• Maintain accurate records of abnormal and defective equipment for distribution facilities.

Education

Bachelor’s degree (any field)

Associate degree in electrical/electronic technology

HS Diploma + 2 years technical customer support

Job description

Job Description

What We're Looking For:

Job Posting End Date

08-25-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

The Electric System Operator (Distribution Dispatcher) is responsible for coordinating, regulating, and controlling the real‑time operation of the electric distribution system to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient service to customers. This role monitors system conditions, executes switching orders, responds to outages and emergencies, and communicates with field crews, engineers, and other utility personnel.

Job Description

As a member of our Distribution Control Center team, you’ll be the nerve center of the distribution grid—monitoring SCADA and grid telemetry in real time, making rapid decisions to isolate faults, restore service, and reconfigure feeders to keep power flowing. You’ll coordinate crews and contractors, issue safe switching orders, manage outage priorities during storms and emergencies, and communicate clear status updates to operations leadership and stakeholders. This fast-paced role combines technical problem solving, decisive action, and teamwork—where every shift delivers visible impact on reliability, safety, and customer satisfaction—offering hands‑on experience with advanced grid controls and a clear path for career growth in utility operations.

What You'll Do:

• Promote and enforce the Company's Safety and Health programs.
• Be knowledgeable and adhere to written company and department policy and procedures.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policy.
• Effectively operate company communication equipment.
• Track crew locations and ongoing work on the distribution system.
• Dispatch service personnel to respond to outage and emergency situations.
• Authorize the energizing and restoration of distribution facilities.
• Maintain accurate outage records.
• Maintain accurate records of abnormal and defective equipment for distribution facilities.

What We're Looking For:

Dist. Dispatcher Assoc.:

Education requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field,
• OR associate degree in electrical or electronic technology,
• OR High School Diploma with 2 years of experience with technical customer support and service, including successful multi-tasking and handling of multiple programs/screens.

Dist. Dispatcher:

Education requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field,
• OR associate’s degree in electrical or electronic technology,
• OR High School Diploma with 2 years of experience with technical customer support and service, including successful multi-tasking and handling of multiple programs/screens in addition to experience listed below.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher Assoc.
• Successfully complete training and pass the examination for a Distribution Dispatcher

Dist. Dispatcher Sr.:

Education requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field,
• OR associate’s degree in electrical or electronic technology,
• OR High School Diploma with 2 years of experience with technical customer support and service, including successful multi-tasking and handling of multiple programs/screens in addition to experience listed below.

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Distribution Dispatcher.
• Successfully complete training and pass the examination for a Distribution Dispatcher Sr.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (ALL Levels):

• Entry-level hires in the Distribution Dispatcher role have opportunities to advance into progressive positions at regular intervals through our job progression pathway. With strong performance and successful progression, employees can expect to reach earnings of $100,000+ within five years.
• Rotating shift work required.
• 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/
• Must maintain a high availability for call-out response.
• Due to call-out responsibility, applicants must live within or be willing to relocate to within 45 minutes of the reporting location.
• Must satisfactorily complete required training and testing to progress to the next level within the Distribution Dispatcher Associate classification within 2 years and to the Distribution Dispatcher classification within 4 years or vacate the position.
• Promotion and/or equity adjustments within the classification will be made in salary upon successful completion of the required training and testing.
• Must be able to work under pressure during periods of critical system conditions and deal with diverse situations simultaneously.
• Critical decisions must be made affecting reliability and priority of service to customers.
• Failure to issue correct instructions could affect personnel safety, welfare of the general public, equipment damage, loss of revenue and adverse publicity.

Drive Time Requirement:

• Successful candidate must live or be willing to relocate within 45 mins of the AEPOH Gahanna building (700 Morrison Road Gahanna, Ohio 43230)

What You'll Get:

Dist. Dispatcher Assoc.: $70,000 to start

Dist. Dispatcher: $74,551 - $93,188

Dist. Dispatcher Sr.: $87,633 - $109,544

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

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!

#AEPOH

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-005

Compensation Range:

$63,496.00 - $109,543.00

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.