Distribution Controller

Position Description

- Works under the guidance and direction of senior controllers to ensure the efficient, economic, and safe operation of the Santee Cooper distribution and sub-transmission systems.

- Supports senior operators during the daily work activities with field personnel and other groups.

- Monitors and uses data from numerous information systems and sources to assist during emergency and routine situations, on a 24-hour basis.

- Supports customer service activities after normal business hours.

- Dispatches personnel to help maintain equipment integrity, power quality, and system availability to more than 215,000 directly served customers in the Santee Cooper service territory.

Essential Job Tasks

- Under the direction of senior colleagues, monitors, analyzes, and controls substation equipment, line devices and capacitor banks by means of the Distribution SCADA system to meet system specifications (feeder loading, voltage levels, feeder VARS, etc.) of the Santee Cooper distribution and sub-transmission systems.

- Assists with writing field switching orders and coordinating switching activities with other departments. Issues hot line work permits and capacitor work permits.

- Reviews and evaluates all scheduled distribution switching operations.

- Under the direction of senior colleagues, works with System Control to coordinate transmission switching that may affect any Santee Cooper distribution facilities.

- Enters trouble report and outage information into the Outage Management System to be used for determining outage restoration percentages, equipment issues, identifying recurring problems, maintenance purposes, and system reliability indices for the Santee Cooper distribution system.

- Utilizes the Distribution Outage Management System (OMS) to receive and evaluate reports of power problems and outages for all retail customers in the Horry-Georgetown and the Berkeley Divisions. This includes analyzing the details to determine the extent and nature of the problem, helping to coordinate the restoration activities, and helping to provide a safe resolution.

- Assists with updating and revising diagrams and maps of the Santee Cooper distribution and sub-transmission Systems, including: Single Line Electrical Diagrams, Geographical Maps, Substation Diagrams, and a Dynamic Mapboard.

- Develops, maintains, and updates databases for Lifeline Customers, standby personnel, equipment issue tracking, employee information, and contractors.

- Under the direction of senior controllers, communicates with internal and external customers, such as contractors, developers, retail/commercial/industrial customers, inspectors, landowners, other utilities, and the general public, to coordinate scheduled and emergency work.

- Assists with the after-hours customer service activities, including new accounts, account transfers, and the restoration of power to customers whose service has been disconnected for non-payment.

- Communicates any issues with appropriate personnel.

- Continuously monitors weather conditions and helps with identifying when a threat may exist that could affect system reliability.

- During extreme weather events that may pose a substantial threat, supports senior controllers with tracking and providing weather updates to key personnel, per departmental directives and/or the Emergency Action Plan procedures.

- Works toward completing all training to further develop the skills needed to advance as a Distribution Controller. This training includes distribution system operation courses, corporate and departmental guidelines, and various procedures related training. Successful competency will be demonstrated through passing tests and handling increasingly complex situations with the help and guidance of senior staff members.

- Performs various tasks and support initiatives to improve system processes, data integrity, training, or other areas as directed by the Manager or Senior Controller.

Position Requirements

- *Will consider Distribution Controller I or II

Distribution Controller I

- Associate's Degree in Engineering + 4 years electric utility related experience or High School Diploma/GED + 6 years electric utility related experience.

- Must perform well in crisis situations, and possess the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in such situations.

- Must be able to work shift schedules, including 12-hour rotating shifts and overtime as necessary per Corporate policy.

Compensation Information:

$59,280 - $74,090 (min. - mid.)

Distribution Controller II

- Associate's Degree in Engineering + 6 years electric utility related experience or High School Diploma/GED + 8 years electric utility related experience.

- Must perform well in crisis situations, and possess the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in such situations.

- Must be able to work shift schedules, including 12-hour rotating shifts and overtime as necessary per Corporate policy.

Compensation Information:

$74,010 - $92,500 (min. - mid.)

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.