Distribution System Operator

POSITION CONCEPT
Responsible for analyzing, coordinating, dispatching and documenting trouble, and switching tasks and using independent judgment to responsibly direct field personnel to respond to system problems, customer problems and requests within Tampa Electric's distribution system.

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATOR
Performs complex technical assignments; Has decision-making responsibility requiring discretion and independent judgment with limited direction from Senior Distribution System Operator (DSO)/DCC Supervisor.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assure that safety awareness is a way of life by verifying actual circuit configurations by checking primary maps in the Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), and through clear and concise radio and/or phone communication with field forces before issuing energized work permits (EWP) and/or switching instructions. Monitor location of field forces throughout the shift, and make sure that they are in the clear while working in an area or on a circuit that has experienced a circuit operation or other anomaly. Assure that switching, tagging, and other information and instructions are received correctly over the radio and/or phone by requiring that field forces repeat through three-way communication of the information and instructions given.2. Use customer information, location and type of damage, primary circuit maps, ADMS, Energy Management System (EMS), and other resources to analyze trouble incidents, determine the problem and responsibly direct field personnel with appropriate action to resolve.
3. Monitor ADMS, and CAD for information and alarms to recognize present and potential customer problems, outages, or trouble with the distribution system, and use judgment to take appropriate actions to deploy field forces to resolve.
4. Install, and remove energized work permits and take back any energized work permit released.
5. Document results of field visits to trouble call locations and report all unusual electrical system and customer problems to the DCC Supervisor/DCC Manager.
6. Coordinate and responsibly direct service area crews as needed to resolve system and/or Customer problems during normal/abnormal hours and storm conditions.
7. Receive and enter customer calls into ADMS as needed to support Customer Inquiry during abnormal hours; use current cut-off information to determine whether and under what conditions to restore service.
8. Decide the appropriate response and utilize ARCOS automated call-out program to call-in crews for emergency work. Call-out Troubleshooters, other DSOs, and Supervisors, as needed during emergencies.

SUPERVISION
Direct Supervision: No direct reports, but indirectly supervises Troubleshooters, Substation Personnel, Transmission and Distribution Line Crews.
Indirect Supervision: The DSO has authority to direct Troubleshooters, Substation Personnel, Transmission and Distribution Line Crews as needed to restore service and/or resolve distribution system problems.

RELATIONSHIPS
Key Internal: Directly reports to the DCC Supervisor, and has daily contact with the System Restoration Supervisors. Has daily contact with other DSO's, Planner Analysts, Line Supervisors, Field Personnel, Customer Experience, All Service Areas, Substation Operations, System Operations, Mapping Services, and the DCC Manager. Has frequent contact with the Operations Engineer, Risk Management and the ECC Director.Key External: Frequent communication with Customers, Emergency Agencies, and TEC utility contractors.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
Champions Safety, Health and the Environment Drives Business Excellence for Customers
Builds Collaborative Relationships
Develops People and Teams
Thinks Strategically and Exercises Sound Judgment

QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Required: Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
Preferred: Related college, technical degree, lineworker or substation electrician is preferred
Experience
Required: Experience in one of the following is required:
1. Minimum one year of experience as a Journeyman Lineworker, Troubleshooter, Substation Electrician;
2. Minimum of two years of experience, working as a Control Center Plant Operator, as a Combined Cycle Specialist or an IGCC Process Specialist;

3. Minimum of two years of experience performing the duties and responsibilities of the Tampa Electric Dispatcher;
4. Minimum of three years of experience at another electric utility performing the duties and responsibilities equivalent to a Tampa Electric Dispatcher;
5. Minimum two years of related Tampa Electric experience performing the duties and responsibilities of technical positions such as: Cable Splicer, Distribution Design Technician, or Planner/Scheduler;6. Minimum three years of related utility experience performing the duties and responsibilities of technical positions such as: Cable Splicer, Distribution Design Technician, or Planner/Scheduler;
7. Minimum of two years of related degreed engineering experience in an electric utility;
Preferred: Experience with computer applications such as ADMS, CAD, GIS and WorkPro programs

SENIOR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATOR
Acting independently, performs all duties and responsibilities of Senior DSO without restrictions. Provide work direction to DSO(s).

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Perform Duties & Responsibilities of a DSO. Provides leadership in the Distribution Control Center directing all restoration and maintenance work.2. Write and issue distribution, substation, Underground Commercial Distribution, Distribution Network, and airport and load transfer switching.
3. Provide direction to the DSO for issuing switching and energized work permit instructions, review DSO switching, and support training of DSO(s).
4. Other complex Grid Modernization Projects, assignments and studies as needed.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
ExperienceRequired: Experience in one of the following is required:
1. Experience performing the duties & responsibilities of the TEC DSO; Complete the additional training modules for DSO including: Underground Commercial Distribution, Airport, Distribution Network, and Substation Switching. Successfully demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the switching desk independently.
2. Minimum of two years of direct work experience at another electric utility performing the duties and responsibilities equivalent to a TEC Distribution System Operator
Additional Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Required: Working knowledge of Tampa Electric or similar electric distribution system; Must have demonstrated success in managing ADMS and EMS applications for restoration; Demonstrated initiative and independence in work assignments and potential for assuming greater responsibilities; knowledge/ability in originating and issuing distribution, substation, underground commercial distribution and/or distribution network, and load transfer switching.
Preferred: Strong working knowledge of underground and overhead switching

WORKING CONDITIONS
Must work a rotating schedule which covers 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Significant overtime is required. Job is performed indoors in an office environment. Must be able to work in high stress situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ REQUIREMENTS
Position requires working extended hours and shifts can involve more than five consecutive days.