Electric System Operator

American Electric Power; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power in Tulsa, OK is seeking an Electric System Operator level candidate to oversee outage dispatching and restoration documentation. The role includes prioritizing work, issuing switching orders, and coordinating with field crews and transmission operations.

Relocation assistance may be available. The position requires SOPD testing, strong safety practices, and the ability to work under pressure during critical conditions, with overtime and weekend shifts common.

Qualifications

• Experience as Electric System Operator or Distribution Dispatcher Sr.
• Must pass SOPD test (test batteries info and tips available at aep/testprep).
• Good safety record and knowledge of electrical safety procedures.
• Dependable with strong responsiveness to business needs.
• Excellent attendance; able to identify line colors; team player.

Responsibilities

• Safely dispatch outages to field personnel and document restoration process.
• Prioritize routine and emergency work to meet customer needs.
• Communicate instructions clearly via radio, phone, and written communications.
• Update and maintain mapping systems (paper or electronic).
• Provide leadership to dispatchers and write switching orders for substations and lines.
• Operate SCADA during switching procedures and interface with transmission operations.
• Participate in safety meetings and foster a positive work culture.

Job description

Job Summary

**This is a single position posted at multiple levels. The description below is based on Electrical System Operator level. Additional skills and experience required for other levels. Successful candidate will be offered the level commensurate with skills and experience.

Responsible to safely dispatch customer outages to multiple field personnel, including analyzing outage data and accurately documenting the restoration process.

Job Description

Relocation assistance may be available for right candidate

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Prioritize routine and emergency work to meet the needs of our internal and external customers.
• Clearly and precisely communicate verbal instructions using radio and telephone systems, as well as provide clear written communications through various applications.
• Update and maintain paper or electronic mapping systems.
• Must be able to work under pressure during periods of critical system conditions.
• Provide training and leadership to dispatchers in lower grade levels.
• Responsible for producing and issuing switching orders for routine and emergency work involving distribution substations or lines.
• Operate Scada during routine and emergency switching procedures.
• Responsible to write operational procedures for switching substation and distribution feeders.
• Interface with transmission operations.
• Provide a leadership role in substation and distribution feeder outage recovery.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Be able to quickly respond for emergency overtime.
• Planned, holdover and call out overtime is expected frequently.
• A high acceptance rate for overtime is required.
• Participate and assist in planning team safety meetings.
• Foster and maintain a positive work culture.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous experience as an Electric System Operator or Distribution Dispatcher Sr. as defined in AEP's Distribution Dispatch Development Program.
• Successful completion of the System Operations/Power Dispatch (SOPD) test.Additional information related to the test batteries and a review of Employment Testing Information and Tips may be helpful. A link to this material may be found at aep.com/testprep.
• Good safety record and knowledge of electrical safety procedures and AEP's Accident Prevention Manual.
• A work history that demonstrates dependability and responsiveness to business needs.
• An excellent attendance record. Satisfactory hearing and the ability to identify line colors.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and be a team player.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Effectively manage multiple tasks in a high stress environment for extended periods of time.
• Must have computer literacy skills and the ability to learn new computer programs.
• An attitude and desire to listen to and satisfy internal and external customers.
• Shift work of days, evenings, and midnights, including on weekends and holidays.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required for the purpose of outage restoration, interaction with the districts, or for training needs.
• The successful candidate may be subject to a criminal history background check.

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

U070-841

Compensation Range:

$59.44 - $59.44

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.