Distribution System Operator/Associate DSO

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that provides power to rural Wright County and western Hennepin County. The cooperative has been a corporate citizen to the area since 1937 and currently serves more than 59,000 electric accounts. 

We are in the process of building out a new state-of-the art control center that will optimize operations and manage our evolving electric grid.  WH will make significant investment in deployment of advanced grid technologies over the next 4 years.  It is estimated our current infrastructure will double in the next 10 years, and we are expecting large load growth in the coming decade.  This is the future of the electric distribution system, and we are looking forward to the added capabilities and expertise we are building to manage our future growth.

Part of our growth plan is to hire a Distribution System Operator (DSO)/ Associate DSO to serve as the switching authority overseeing the operation, control, maintenance, monitoring, and optimization of the distribution network, including substations, transformers, and distribution lines. The DSO/Associate DSO will be responsible for writing switch plans, performing outage analysis, managing major storm events, and assisting in various data reporting functions. The DSO/Associate DSO will play a critical role in maintaining grid stability, managing peak demand, and supporting the transition to a smarter, more sustainable energy system. Other duties include (but are not limited to) distribution equipment and generator run time analysis utilizing SCADA information and alarms, reliability and power quality reporting using the Cooperative’s Outage Management System (OMS) and Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) as well as wholesale power usage via power supplier information.

How to apply: Please submit an application on our company careers page: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3942215/Wright-Hennepin-Cooperative-Electric-Association/Distribution-System-Operator-Associate-DSO

Hours: This position will work during daytime hours Monday-Friday and will be included in the 24/7 on-call rotation every 4 weeks.

Pay & Benefits: $40-60/hour depending on qualifications.  WH offers a comprehensive health insurance plan including medical, dental, and vision coverage. WH also offers a generous company 401K match and contributions to a Health Savings Account. Employees have the potential to receive an annual bonus. Paid time off and paid holidays are provided. Other benefits include tuition reimbursement programs, flexible spending account access, dependent care FSA, and more. 

Location: This is a full-time in-office position located at our company headquarters in Rockford, Minn. Rockford is located 15 miles west of Plymouth on Hwy 55. 

Job Requirements

Candidates who meet the following requirements will be considered for a Distribution System Operator (DSO) position.  

• 2+ years of system operator experience OR Journeyman Lineman experience
• 2-year technical degree in power operations OR 2+ years of system experience (dispatch, utility, power, or similar.)

Candidates who meet the following requirements will be considered for an Associate DSO position

• 2-year technical degree in electric utility or other technical area (power limited, electric, low voltage, or similar)
• 2+ years of experience in an electric utility
• Ability to complete the DSO apprentice program within 3 years

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for DSO and Associate DSO

• Ability to work on-call, nights and weekends on a rotational basis (17 weeks/year on average)
• Knowledge of electrical distribution systems and equipment
• Ability to remain calm and make decisions in stressful and/or complex situations
• Experience with electrical distribution systems, mapping, and construction techniques
• Data analytics, experience using databases and highly proficient in Excel
• Proficiency in Access database
• Openness to change in terms of process and systems
• Ability to work in a flexible work environment, can multi-task and move between regularly changing priorities
• Strong communication skills, ability to interact directly with members, line crews and management
• High attention to detail
• Problem solving ability