Distribution System Operator jobs in Germantown, MD

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative!

We are currently looking for a System Operator who will address and respond to customer inquiries and complaints on service disturbances, formulate service restoration plans, coordinate activities for normal maintenance or emergency repairs, analyze outage data and recommend system updates to improve service reliability and ensure efficient, economical, and reliable electric service that exceeds customer expectations while maintaining the highest level of customer service.

Essential Job Functions will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in monitoring and analyzing outages.
• Dispatch planned work and outages to NOVEC and contract crews.
• Enter outage information and updates in Outage Management System to provide a complete and accurate outage history.
• Under direction of the supervisors or System Operator III, monitor and operate NOVEC distribution system using SCADA and Smart-Grid devices. Write and execute switching orders.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers to provide exceptional customer service.
• Monitor security and fire alarms, and serve as point-of-contact for emergency and hazardous field conditions.

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or GED with a mathematical or technical background is required. Associate's degree in Engineering or Electrical Technology is preferred. Two years of experience in a technical customer-service oriented position is required. Previous experience in an emergency response or crisis management environment is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to operate a computer and related software systems such as MS Office, Outage Management System and future software as needed to record, update or analyze information.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate to and interpret information for internal and external customers verbally using a radio device or telephone.
• Ability to learn the electrical operating system and switching and tagging procedures. Proper use of one-line schematics, and SCADA.
• Knowledge of proper procedures in emergency situations. Ability to interact with all customers in a professional manner to represent NOVEC in a positive nature and to provide exceptional service.

Other Important Information:

• This position is part of a 2-year apprenticeship program.
• Training and Work Schedule:
  • Initially, for the first 6 months, the training schedule will most likely be 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday (4 days, 10 hours per day). After the first 6 months, the selected candidate will be qualified to take a shift. The shift is unknown at this time. The selected candidate must be flexible to work the necessary shift needed at the time (whether it is day, night and/or weekend hours).

What we offer:

• Competitive pay
• Premier health benefits, including an onsite wellness center
• Survivor and Disability benefits
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% base salary match and an additional match of your contribution at a rate of 50% up to the first 12%
• Life insurance
• Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave
• Educational Assistance
• Annual Company Events

If you're ready to take the next step towards advancing your career, apply today! NOVEC is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. We do not provide sponsorship or relocation for this position.