Protection & Control Operations Supervisor

American Electric Power; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a seasoned Protection & Control supervisor to oversee installation, operation, and maintenance of relay and protective equipment across transmission and distribution stations.

You will direct field activities to meet NERC standards, support outages, and manage capital projects with a focus on safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited institution in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology or related discipline with 5+ years in protection and control.
• Associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology or related degree with 8+ years in protection and control.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and coordinate daily activities of Protection & Control personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant work.
• Oversee review and application of relay and control schemes for reliable operation and protection of transmission/substation equipment.
• Manage planning, scheduling, testing, calibration, and maintenance for protective relays, control systems, RTUs, DAS, DMS, and fault recorders.
• Direct installation and commissioning of switchboards, control houses, and temporary protection systems for station construction and maintenance.
• Lead analysis of fault events, interruption reports, and data to identify relay performance issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure maintenance of relay settings, testing records, calibration data, and related documentation per regulatory requirements.

Skills

Team leadership

Collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering degree

AS in Electrical Engineering Technology

Job description

Job Summary

Responsible for supervising the installation, operation, and maintenance of relay and protective equipment for all distribution and transmission stations. Responsible for the field activities to ensure compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards. Also responsible to direct efforts during outages to return facilities to service and provide construction management and internal labor resources for transmission and distribution station capital projects.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

• Lead, direct, and coordinate the daily activities of Protection & Control personnel, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant execution of work assignments.
• Oversee the review and application of relay and control schemes to ensure the reliable operation and protection of transmission and substation equipment.
• Manage planning, scheduling, testing, calibration, and maintenance activities for protective relays, control systems, RTUs, DAS, DMS, and fault recorders.
• Direct the installation and commissioning of switchboards, control houses, and temporary protection and control systems supporting station construction and maintenance activities.
• Lead the analysis of fault events, interruption reports, and oscillography data to identify relay performance issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of relay settings, testing records, calibration data, BCT ratios, and related documentation in compliance with NERC, FERC, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the development of project cost estimates, labor forecasts, and resource planning for Protection & Control projects. Authorize contractor work and verify completed construction activities to ensure quality and compliance with specifications.
• Provide technical leadership and operational support during system disturbances, equipment failures, and storm restoration efforts to safely restore facilities to service.
• Partner with Technical Services and Operations teams develop, prioritize, and execute the annual Protection & Control maintenance plan, ensuring completion of established work objectives.
• Champion a culture of safety by holding employees and contractors accountable to the AEP System Safety Process and Zero Harm principles while ensuring compliance with all safety requirements.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and development opportunities to employees to support individual growth and team effectiveness.
• Coordinate activities with Engineering, Operations, Construction, and Technical Services teams to support system reliability and achieve business objectives.
• Support budgeting, workforce planning, and resource allocation activities to meet departmental and organizational goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance system reliability, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and overall work group performance.

What We’re Looking For:

Education and Work Experience requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor’s degree from an ABET accredited institution in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology or related discipline and typically requires five (5) years of related work experience in protection and control-related activities
• OR an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology or related degree and a minimum of eight (8) years of work experience in protection and control-related activities.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong teamwork skills which include collaboration.
• Lead, facilitate, and coordinate the work activities of others within the work group.

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-009

Compensation Range:

$116,255.00 - $151,132.50

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.