Power Dispatcher

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 256,234,000 - 274,142,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle City Light is seeking Power Dispatchers to join the System Operations Center, a 24-hour operation that controls hydroelectric projects and municipal power systems in Seattle. You will coordinate with field crews, customer service, and substation operators to exchange information and ensure reliable service.

This role emphasizes strong safety practices, accurate record keeping, and quick decision-making under pressure.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as Assistant Power Dispatcher or equivalent.
• Washington State Driver's License or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute switching to maintain system integrity for safe field work and return to normal.
• Investigate alarms and outages; direct switching and dispatch crews; inform departments.
• Issue clearances and manage routine and emergency requests after planning switching sequences.
• Maintain Power Dispatcher Logs, Service Dispatcher Logs, and clearances.
• Update records, maps and drawings of the distribution system and equipment.
• Monitor the distribution system using computer monitoring systems and reports from substation operators.
• Answer customer calls about outages and abnormal conditions; dispatch crews or take action.

Skills

Team collaboration

Decision making

Safety awareness

Customer service

Education

Electrical Apprenticeship (4-year)

Job description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Seattle City Light has an opportunity for safety-focused, detail-oriented Power Dispatchers to join the System Operations Center. The System Operations Center is a 24-hour operation and plays a critical function in the real-time operation of Seattle City Light (SCL) hydroelectric projects and municipal electric power systems.

The Power Dispatchers work under limited supervision, communicate with customer service, distribution, maintenance and repair personnel within City Light, as well as outside utility staff and customers as necessary to exchange information.

They work on developing strong safety methods and practices associated with dispatching work, in part, by conducting field visits to investigate problems, verify equipment status, properly identify locations of equipment failures and carry out related field duties. These positions are the most customer facing job within the System Operations Center. This position will report to the Chief Power Dispatcher.

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:

• Plans and executes switching to maintain the system's integrity so field crews may work safely on equipment and then returns the system to normal.
• Investigates alarms and calls from customers, substation operators, and police and fire dispatchers to determine whether power needs to be restored. Analyzes reports and data; plans and directs switching to restore outages; dispatches crews to make repairs; and informs appropriate departmental personnel about outages.
• Issues clearances, keeps or holds them open for routine and emergency requests after researching and planning switching sequences.
• Maintains various logs such as Power Dispatcher Logs, Service Dispatcher Logs, and clearances.
• Maintains and updates records, maps and drawings of the distribution system and equipment.
• Monitors the distribution system using computer monitoring systems and reports from substation operators.
• Answers customer calls regarding customer outages and any abnormal conditions. Dispatches crews after analyzing the situation or takes other appropriate action as necessary.
• Maintains and updates data and computer programs.

Required Qualifications: In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Requires a total of two years performing the work of an Assistant Power Dispatcher. Such experience must have included training in the duties of an Assistant Power Dispatcher (Scheduling). (Equivalent education, training and experience which provide demonstrated possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered including successful completion of the Navy Nuclear Electrician Mate and Navy Nuclear Electronics Technician six-year programs).

Current Washington State Driver's License or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• May be required to be on call 24 hours/day to respond to emergency situations.
• Required to work nights, evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Required to work rotating shifts.
• May be exposed to hostile or abusive customers who are telephoning the utility.
• Required to be at work station during the entire shift.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Completion of four-year accredited Electrical Apprenticeship program plus two years of journey-level experience in SCL's Constructor, Lineworker or Network Cable Splicer classification.
• Ability to work in a team environment, perform work and make quick decisions in high-pressure situations.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or withoutnotice

Emergency Response Commitment:

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

The full salary range for this position is $89.54 to $95.90 per hour.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will beprovidedan opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.