Power System Operator Trainee Jobs in Columbus, OH

South Central Power Company, Ohio's largest electric cooperative, has an immediate opening for two Assistant System Operators at our Lancaster, Ohio location.

The Assistant System Operator supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the electric distribution system by monitoring and analyzing system conditions, coordinating field resources, and facilitating communications between crews, employees, members, and external agencies. This position interacts with an Outage Management System (OMS), a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, a Geographic Information System (GIS), an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and other related applications to support outage restoration, routine operations, and emergency response activities. The Assistant System Operator serves as a central communications resource, dispatching personnel, providing operational updates, maintaining situational awareness of field activities, and assisting with switching operations under the direction of authorized personnel. The ability to advance to System Operator within approximately two years is required. The System Operator role carries increased responsibility for the safe and reliable operation of the electric system, greater independent decision-making authority, and a corresponding increase in compensation.

What you'll be doing:

• Operate the two-way radio system to relay information, dispatch crews, provide locations and directions, and communicate operational updates to field personnel.
• Monitor, document, and assist with operation of the SCADA system.
• Maintain and update outage information within OMS, including outage status, estimated restoration times (ETORs), damage assessments, and active crew assignments.
• Support system mapping activities, including updating GIS records, area maps, digital map notes, and documentation related to system additions, retirements, and modifications.
• Maintain awareness of the location and status of Cooperative crews, contractor line crews, and contractor tree crews to support safe and effective field operations.
• Remotely operate system devices, as authorized and under the direction of authorized personnel.
• Utilize the company callout system to notify and mobilize personnel in accordance with established procedures and operating requirements.
• Coordinate with Member Services to support disconnects, reconnects, service orders, power quality investigations, AMI-related activities, and field service requests.
• Receive and process requests related to line repairs, street lighting, vegetation management, and other system maintenance activities.
• Process Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) / 811 locate requests, including emergency locate situations and facility analysis as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What the job requires:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in a technical field preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience in utility operations, dispatching, system operations, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of electric distribution systems, equipment, and outage restoration practices.
• Ability to make sound decisions and remain calm during outages, storms, and emergency situations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience using utility software systems such as SCADA, OMS, GIS, or AMI preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, electrical diagrams, and system information.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Willingness and ability to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency restoration assignments as required.
• Opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to progress into a fully qualified System Operator role.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package. Apply today!

EEO – Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

South Central Power Company is a drug free workplace.

We do not offer visa sponsorship or accept candidates on work visas at this time.