Job Description

Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, member-focused electric distribution cooperative, striving to exceed our member s energy expectations in a changing world. We are an equal opportunity employer and we believe that diversity of ideas, perspectives and backgrounds are essential to our business. As a Dakota Electric employee you would be an essential worker that would have a hand in serving our members. For additional information about Dakota Electric please visit: dakotaelectric.com. Dakota Electric offers an extensive benefits package:

• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with an employer contribution of 6% of an employee\'s base wage, plus matching contribution up to 4%.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HSA and FSA
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Short-term disability and other voluntary benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness reimbursement
• Vacation, sick and personal leave

Job summary: The Distribution System Operators (DSO) are responsible for the overall coordination of electrical distribution system operations. This includes, but is not limited to maintaining equipment records, updating maps, reviewing system designs, dispatching crews, creating/reviewing/executing field work/switching, operating or monitoring the electrical system, and responding to member outages or concerns. The independent decisions made by the DSOs have a substantial impact on the safety, health, and quality of life of members, employees, and the general public. Clear and timely communication with emphasis on details and accuracy are extremely important in order to ensure safe and reliable delivery of electric service. The DSO will be required to work all shifts associated with having coverage in the control center 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year. Responsibilities:

• Comply with established Dakota Electric Association safety and operating rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Be accountable and responsible for reporting any un-safe practices and/or hazards to a senior DSO, control center manager or Vice President of Utility Services. Be committed to and actively involved in Dakota Electric s safety programs, initiatives and performance.
• Be visibly committed and actively involved in Dakota Electric s safety programs, annual initiatives and performance by attending mandatory safety meetings, safety training and wearing personal protective equipment when applicable.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the standard operating procedures (SOP) and execute job related tasks as applicable per SOP.
• Develop and maintain expert knowledge required to proficiently utilize the technical systems including but not limited to the automated crew call out (CCO), crew radio system, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Load Management (LM), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Outage Management System (OMS), Advanced Grid Infrastructure (AGi), Work Management (WM), Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), and Interactive Voice Response (IVR), required to safely and efficiently operate the distribution system.
• Operates and monitors remote controlled equipment including but not limited to switches, security cameras, voltage regulators, breakers, reclosers, capacitors and distributed energy resources (DER) using SCADA and other applicable software. These devices are key to ensuring safe, reliable and efficient delivery of electric service.
• Execute and monitor load control strategies ranging from campus generation to residential air conditioners/heaters, using SCADA and other load management software.
• Evaluate and review distribution system configuration changes such as new member developments, equipment modifications/changes, cable replacement projects, road/system improvement, and other projects initiated by the Engineering Services Department.
• Create, evaluate and approve planned and unplanned switching orders for all field personnel (this includes de-energizing/re-energizing substations). The operator is responsible for ensuring all procedures are in compliance with DEA s Technical Standards and SOPs.
• Execute all planned and unplanned switching orders in DEA s OMS system to maintain a real time electrical conductivity model of DEA s electric system.
• Utilizes DEA s OMS and other technical systems to analyze and predict outage conditions to support restoration efforts in coordination with crews and members. DSOs are responsible for accurately recording outage restoration steps and member outage history.
• Responsible for monitoring the operation status of the distribution generation connected to DEA s system. This includes but is not limited to responding to events/alarms, monthly exercising, testing, load control or system needs, and providing notification to generator accounts. Successful generation control has a significant functional (system reliability) and financial impact on Great River Energy (GRE), Dakota Electric, and our members.
• Initiate afterhours call outs and be responsible for the safe and efficient dispatching of crews to resolve outages, member concerns, equipment issues, and emergency situations.
• Assist members or employees dealing with power quality concerns. Provide direct support and/or initiate further investigation to bring resolution to the service-related concerns.
• Monitor, record, and communicate issues identified with the crew radio system. Gather concerns from field crews and communicate issues to our engineering department and GRE.
• In coordination with the Control Center Manager determines the need for and initiate the Contingency Recovery Plan under emergency system conditions.
• Maintains working knowledge of GRE s transmission system. Provide coordination and communication between GRE s control center and DEA during joint outages or projects.
• Reviews and recommends changes to the substation contingency plan to minimize the restoration time in the event of major equipment failure.
• Responsible for editing GIS to maintain up-to-date records, equipment data and mapping information essential for the safe and efficient operations of the distribution system.
• Monitors DEA s building and grounds security system, gated access, fire alarm system, UPS alarm system, etc. and takes appropriate actions according to applicable SOP.
• Perform related work as apparent or assigned.

(All duties should be considered essential functions per the Americans with Disabilities Act.) High school diploma or GED certificate plus two years additional technical and vocational training in electric line work or basic electricity required. Bachelor s or Associate s Degree with technical coursework or experience related to electrical technology, project management, or technical training preferred. Strong computer skills required along with knowledge of and experience with Microsoft office software applications.
A fully qualified DSO will have a minimum of six years experience within the engineering or operations area of an electric utility. Three years of that experience must be as a distribution system operator or related electric system operations environment.