Distribution System Operator

Power up a career with us. Our people are our greatest investments. 

Be the light to help us keep our customers connected.  If you are interested in a career and not just a position, Tampa Electric is the place to be Tampa Electric offers competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth and development in a friendly and professional work environment. We embrace diversity and the inclusion of all. We believe our differences, unique perspectives and talents are our strengths and integral to the success of our company.

We're honored to serve approximately 780,000 customers across West Central Florida and safely provide them with clean, affordable and reliable electricity. We've been doing it for more than 100 years, and there's so much more ahead.  

Join our team of energy experts as we build on that legacy through innovation, continued solar investments, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions all while keeping top-notch customer service at the center of all we do. 

Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a family of energy companies which also includes TECO Peoples Gas and New Mexico Gas Company. Emera provides energy to residential and commercial customers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, with career opportunities available in all of these locations. 

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. (10%)
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;

1. Minimum of two years of experience performing the duties and responsibilities of the Tampa Electric Dispatcher;
2. Minimum of three years of experience at another electric utility performing the duties and responsibilities equivalent to a Tampa Electric Dispatcher;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. 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. (60%)
2. Write and issue distribution, substation, Underground Commercial Distribution, Distribution Network, and airport and load transfer switching. (25%)
3. Provide direction to the DSO for issuing switching and energized work permit instructions, review DSO switching, and support training of DSO(s).  (15%)
4. Other complex Grid Modernization Projects, assignments and studies as needed.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                        

Experience

Required:            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.

TECO offers a competitive Benefits package

Competitive Salary *401k Savings plan w/ company matching * Pension plan * Paid time off* Paid Holiday time * Medical, Prescription Drug, & Dental Coverage  *Tuition Assistance Program * Employee Assistance Program * Wellness Programs * On-site Fitness Centers * Bonus Plan and more

STORM DUTY REQUIREMENTS....Please make sure to read below  Responding to storms will be considered a condition of employment.

TECO Energy and its companies serve a role in providing critical services to our community during an emergency. Team members are required to participate in the response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our TECO Energy customers. Team members are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities. Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company's rules and procedures.

TECO Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TECO Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is unable to perform the essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodations.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities for all individuals, employment decisions at TECO Energy will be based on skills, knowledge, qualifications and abilities.

Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Statement

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

ADA policy

It is the policy of TECO Energy to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified disabled individuals who are employees and applicants for employment, unless it would cause undue hardship. The corporation will adhere to applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines, including, but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1970s.

Application accommodations

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation in the application process five business days prior to the time accommodation is needed.

Pre-employment physical exams may be required for positions with bona fide job-related physical requirements regardless of disability.