Power Systems Dispatcher I/II - Matanuska Electric Association, Inc.

PURPOSE

The Dispatcher I/II/Senior performs the duties of a dispatcher in various capacities from entry level to senior level.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

The Power System Dispatcher I performs the below functions at an entry-learning capacity.

The Power System Dispatcher II performs the below functions proficiently and with very little supervision.

The Power System Dispatcher Senior has oversight of the operations and dispatch center activities and has mastered the below functions.

1.     Provide and responsible for technical information on switching procedures and status of the Association’s power system.

2.     Represent and communicate the Association’s interests when working with other Railbelt Dispatchers via SCADA, radio, and other means.

3.     Schedule power delivery and spinning reserve with other Railbelt utilities.

4.     Utilizes utility computer programs to determine economic loading of transmission circuits and turbine/generators.

5.     Regulate power sales and purchases based on reliability, economics, and directs scheduling of Association generation assets to meet load changes.

6.     Monitor system interconnection power interchange.

7.     Monitor systems transmission power flow and system generation power input.

8.     Monitor status of transmission switchyards and breakers

9.     Review system reliability before and after transmission switching.

10.   Monitor and manage Association facilities security: includes after-hours control of access to premises via closing and locking access gates at night and re-opening gates in the morning.  Report any concerns regarding security at any Association site to the appropriate internal and external personnel or agencies.

11.   Prepare and administer reports on Dispatch activities.

12.   Keep accurate and legible records of trouble calls, enters data as required and maintains other miscellaneous records.  Perform outage analysis to identify causes of recurring outages. 

13.   Provide information to appropriate parties for correction. 

14.   Provide information to the Chief Strategy Officer when outages occur concerning the status of outages and estimated restoration time.

15.   Promptly act to restore system power when failure occurs.  Dispatches line crews, as well as other employees, to trouble spots during outages to restore power. 

16.   Receive member trouble calls, determines cause of outages, and assigns work to available personnel.  Direct line crews, equipment, and additional personnel to locations during outages and trouble calls.  Act as the central coordination and reporting point for all personnel assigned and dispatched to such locations.

17.   Perform field checks to verify accuracy of one-line system diagrams, mimic board, and maps as changes in the system occur.

18.   Perform and provide program management of various duties to schedule and operate the Association’s generation assets.

19.   The Senior Dispatcher trains, coaches, reviews, approves, and signs all switch order for Association dispatch employees as well as other relevant processes/procedures.  The Senior Dispatcher provides technical information to given stakeholders on switching procedures and status of Association power system.

20.   Perform other duties as assigned and when appropriate.

21.   Promotes a safety culture in which safety is a value.  This culture is based on joint and individual engagement, ownership, and accountability regarding job safety and responsibility to perform work safely and adhere to safe work practices.

22.   Performs the essential functions of the position in a safe and efficient manner.

The above items are not intended to be all inclusive of the essential functions or requirements of this type of work as they are subject to change based on operating necessity.  The employee will also perform other related business duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Power System Dispatcher I Requirements – Entry Level

Qualified candidates are required to have: 

-         A high school diploma or equivalent.

-         A valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

-         Successful completion of:

§  A four (4)-year apprenticeship or similar training for positions such as lineman, substation operator, generation operator, meter relay technician.  The training provides an educational emphasis in electrical theory, math, high voltage power systems, safety rules, and grid electrical switching.

§  Or four years of relevant experience in electrical theory, math, high voltage power systems, safety rules, and grid electrical switching. 

-         Or a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

-         Or an associate’s degree in an applicable electrical discipline and two (2) years of relevant experience.

Preference may be given to candidates with:

-         Knowledge of Association and interconnected power systems facilities, including terrain and access.

-         Previous electric cooperative experience.

-         Knowledge of SCADA operation and programming, outage management systems, distribution and transmission protective relaying, proper lock out/tag out procedures for generation, transmission, and distribution.

-         Prior experience administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements.

Power System Dispatcher II Requirements – Intermediate Level

Qualified candidates are required to:

-         Meet the Power System Dispatcher I requirements and proficient in duties with very little supervision.

-         Complete the training required of a Power System Dispatcher I at the Association or have four (4) years of experience as a dispatcher in a similar situated position.

-         Have a valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

Preference may be given to those candidates with:

-         A bachelor’s degree in engineering.

-         Knowledge of Association and interconnected power systems facilities, including terrain and access.

-         Previous electric cooperative experience.

Senior Requirements – Advanced Level

Qualified candidates are required to:

-         Meet the Power System Dispatcher I / II requirements and master all such functions of a I / II.

-         Have at least four (4) years’ experience as a Power System Dispatcher II at the Association to include administering/interpreting collective bargaining agreements;

§  Or have ten (10) years of experience as a dispatcher or dispatch supervisor in the electric utility industry. 

-         Have a valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

Preference may be given to those candidates with:

-       A bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar field.

-       Knowledge of Association and interconnected power systems facilities, including terrain and access.

-       Previous electric cooperative experience.

-       Supervisory experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

·         Supports a culture of safety excellence through active involvement in safety improvement and promotes a sense of shared responsibility for safety.

·         Advanced operating knowledge of SCADA operation and programming, Outage Management Systems, distribution and transmission protective relaying, proper lock out/tag out procedures for generation, transmission, and distribution for the senior level.

·         Knowledge of SCADA operation and programming, Outage Management Systems, distribution and transmission protective relaying, proper lock out/tag out procedures for generation, transmission, and distribution for the II level.

·         Knowledge of SCADA systems, electronics theory, relays, meters, digital communications systems and mechanical concepts.

·         Knowledge of and assist in adhering to the safety practices of the Association safety manual, including electrical workers safety rules and clearance procedures.

·         Skill using a variety of software applications.

·         Skill in leadership; develop a strong work ethic within the groups supervised in a lead role.

·         Skill in safety performance including active safety leadership and advocacy.

·         Skill in collaborative leadership and organizational management.

·         Skill in relationship building.

·         Skill in attention to detail.

·         Skill in maintaining accurate and detailed numerical records and interpret station readings. 

·         Skill in effective and professional verbal and written communication.

·         Skill in self-motivating improvement based on successes and failures.

·         Skill in developing solutions to assignments.

·         Skill in problem-solving, decision-making and accountability within the team.

·         Ability to interact and effectively and calmly communicate with a wide variety of people; ability to respond in emergency situations.

·         Ability to provide clear directions and explicit, complete instructions and information using phones, two-way radios, brief notes, reports, or in person.

·         Ability to lead the corrective action and continuous improvement processes for the Dispatch section in a Senior role.

·         Ability to effectively delegate and collaborate with others to accomplish assignments in an II/Senior role.

·         Ability to facilitate cooperation between work groups and work functionally across all levels of the organization.

·         Ability to maintain complete confidentiality of given information.

·         Ability to assume responsibility for protecting life and property under normal and emergency conditions.

·         Ability to interpret station readings and work with and learn system-modeling programs.

·         Ability to use computer-monitoring systems.

·         Ability to motivate subordinates to take initiative and proactively seek out work during slow work periods in a lead role.

·         Ability to direct, instruct, and supervise multiple work crews.

·         Ability to think clearly; identify and solve problems in a thorough and logical manner.

·         Ability to work independently, efficiently and make well-reasoned decisions.

·         Ability to operate computers, familiarity with a Windows environment using Excel and Word software programs.

·         Ability to exercise independent judgment in maintaining the reliability and efficiency of the Association power system, supervising utility personnel and assuring contract compliance regarding assignment of contractor personnel.

·         Ability to change shifts on short notice or continue on duty in the absence of relief; work extra hours as assigned. NOTE:  The arrangement of these shifts is subject to change based on the needs of the Association.

·         Ability to assume responsibility for protecting life and property under normal and emergency conditions.

·         Embrace and embody the Association’s Core Values through decisions, actions, attitude, and behavior to directly contribute to the success of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

·         The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; this list is not inclusive of all the physical demands that may be required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·         Physical demand activity percentages:

-         Major occurs 60% or more of work time.

-         Moderate occurs between 20-60% of work time.

-         Minor occurs less than 20% of work time.

·         Physical demand requirements:

-         Ability to understand, read, and carry out written instructions.

-         Ability to understand, read, and verify documents electronically, verbally, or hard copy.

-         Major amount of communication, seeing up close, and working inside the building.

-         Moderate amount of sitting.

-         Minor amount of standing, walking, lifting up to 30 pounds, carrying, pushing, stair climbing, ladder climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, turning/twisting, bending at waist, handling of items, finger use, feeling/touching of items, eye-hand coordination, foot-hand-eye coordination, see items from afar, depth perception, and working outside.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

·         The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·         This position primarily works in an office setting; however, this position requires some outdoor travel to various Association field sites.  The incumbent must occasionally work in variable weather conditions including, but not limited to rain, high winds, temperatures in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, large amounts of snow, possibly over long periods of time and in darkness.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

This position is classified as an exempt, non-represented position.  Dispatch employees are expected to work widely varying amounts of time outside the normal shifts to assist in power restoration or other needs of the Association.

MEA requires a post offer substance abuse test. Any positive test result or refusal to consent will disqualify an applicant from employment.

MEA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

Individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in any portion of the application or interview process should advise MEA in advance by calling 907-761-9218.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To apply, please visit www.mea.coop to submit an application by the closing date.

Matanuska Electric Association, Inc.

163 East Industrial Way (P.O. Box 2929), Palmer, Alaska  99645

Telephone: (907) 761-9218/ Fax:  (907) 761-9264

MEA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Veterans/Disabled employer.

Benefits Include

• 401(k) matching 2%
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance - $100/month for entire family
• Life insurance 100% paid by MEA
• Long Term Disability 100% paid by MEA
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off starts at 3.385 hrs/wk
• 11.5 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement Defined Benefit plan/Pension