Substation Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers' lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. 

This is a full-time, on-site position located in Akron, OH.

Summary

The Substation Planner is responsible for providing planning, scheduling, technical support, and non-engineering services for Substation Operations and Construction. This position supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, and construction of electrical substations by coordinating resources, preparing work packages, managing work schedules, maintaining records, and supporting crews, contractors, and management.

The successful candidate will work closely with supervision, engineers, operations personnel, contractors, and external stakeholders to ensure work is planned and executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking to build a career in utility operations, substation planning, and project coordination while contributing to the safe and reliable delivery of electric service.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and promote a strong commitment to all aspects of safety.

• Plan and schedule substation maintenance, construction, and capital projects to support system reliability and operational goals.

• Provide reliable support to supervisors and foremen by coordinating work activities, staffing requirements, equipment, materials, switching orders, contractor resources, and work package documentation.

• Assist supervision in establishing work commitment dates and expedite project deliverables when practical and necessary.

• Coordinate with engineering, operations, contractors, property owners, and other stakeholders to support substation projects and maintenance activities.

• Manage work queues and track project status to ensure timely completion of assigned work.

• Maintain accurate records of facility additions, modifications, retirements, and updates to company mapping and asset management systems.

• Assist in preparing claim documentation and supporting project closeout requirements.

• Monitor work progress, track backlog, and provide management with status reports, productivity metrics, and workload forecasts.

• Conduct research, evaluate alternatives, and recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Compile technical reports and performance metrics to support compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Assist with regulatory inspection preparation, documentation, and corrective action tracking.

• Support work management and scheduling applications to assign and prioritize maintenance and construction activities.

• Collaborate with crews, contractors, and supervisors to review work scopes, equipment requirements, switching plans, and logistics.

• Process project-related invoices, reconcile accounts, and assist with construction cost tracking.

• Provide support for company asset management, outage management, scheduling, and GIS systems.

• Serve as a system administrator or subject matter resource for work management and mapping applications as assigned.

• Support emergency restoration efforts, storm response activities, and other system emergencies.

• Travel periodically to substations, construction sites, training facilities, and company locations as required.

• Attend and maintain all required safety, compliance, and technical training.

Working Conditions

• Combination of office and field work environments.

• Frequent visits to substations and construction sites.

• Occasional overtime, callouts, and storm restoration assignments.

• Exposure to varying weather conditions and active construction environments.

• Travel within the service territory may be required.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, Construction Management, or a related discipline preferred.

• In lieu of a degree, a minimum of three (3) years of relevant utility, substation, electrical construction, maintenance, planning, scheduling, or technical field experience is required.

• Working knowledge of electrical substations, transmission/distribution systems, and related equipment.

• Basic understanding of National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), National Electrical Code (NEC), and applicable utility standards.

• Knowledge of substation construction methods, maintenance practices, and work planning processes.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, schematics, construction prints, equipment manuals, and technical specifications.

• Understanding of safe work practices and company operating procedures.

• Ability to organize, analyze, and maintain technical and operational data.

• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.

• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.

• Experience with SAP, GIS, CAD, work management systems, outage management systems, or similar utility applications preferred.

• Valid driver's license required.

• Must possess the ability to travel to company facilities and substation locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Substation Operations, Construction, Maintenance, System Planning, or Electric Distribution.

• Knowledge of FERC, NERC, OSHA, and utility regulatory requirements.

• Experience with CASCADE, SAP, GIS, FEWS, EMS, CREWS, or equivalent utility software platforms.

• Project coordination or project management experience.

• Familiarity with electrical protection and control systems, transformers, breakers, switches, and substation equipment.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity
At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.
Safety
Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.
Position Classification

Non-Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team