Associate Dispatcher

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

Delta Utilities is seeking an Associate Dispatcher is responsible for monitoring gas emergencies and gas meter orders for company and contract service technicians. This position works cooperatively with the Contact Center, Receivables Management, Field Operations, and emergency agencies to coordinate efficient and timely scheduling of emergency and non-emergency meter order work. Analyze and respond to changes in priority and resourcing 24 hours/7 days, 365 days/year to ensure the best possible emergency response time and most productive routing and scheduling. 

***Shift schedule as follows:

• 6am-3pm or 3pm to 11pm
• Rotating Weekends -- work 3 weekends out of the month

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Non-Emergency:

Monitors gas meter order work for company and contract employees. Support the oversight of the meter order management resources, assisting in the review and revision of technician routes, order distribution, and resource allocation to ensure that work is completed efficiently and within prescribed time frames. Communicate with Field Operation Technicians and Supervision to provide contingency plans to re-balance work as required and keep informed of schedule changes. Manage current and future customers and Delta Utilities generate work orders to maximize productivity, control costs, and meet regulatory Minimum Gas Service Standards appointment compliance. Monitor meter order work for performance and adherence to daily schedules and report anomalies to Performance Management and Field Supervision. 

Emergency Response:

Process incoming customer and emergency agency (911 fire & police) calls for potential natural gas related emergencies. Increase customer safety and satisfaction by clearly communicating safety precautions and capturing detailed facts to enable response by field personnel. Evaluate priority and urgency of gas emergency orders to ensure customer safety and response by field personnel. Match resources and orders to meet company targets for primary emergency response. Responsible for third party damaged communications to internal and external customers up to executive leadership. Monitor incoming emergencies, recognizing increased incident severity and initiating proper notifications to Field Operations and upper management.

Respond with urgency to all emergency calls, such as gas leaks, outages, and other unsafe situations, and convey the urgency to field operations for rapid response. Field incoming calls efficiently to meet department metrics.

May be required to work extended hours for undetermined time frames due to operational demand. 24x7x365 rotational schedule includes working weekends, and holidays.

Functional/Technical Competency Requirements: Must be able to use PC desktop applications, Microsoft Office software, excellent keyboard, analytical, communication (written and verbal), planning, and organizational skills. Must possess the ability to learn and use new PC applications. Must be capable of managing multiple tasks and work in a dynamic environment where priorities change rapidly. Must demonstrate ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operating, and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and maps. Must have the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Customer focus and skills to process calls professionally, effectively, and expediently.

Key Customers: External customers including emergency 911 agencies (fire, police) and other utilities; Contact Center, Field operations personnel, Contractors, Receivables Management, and Damage Prevention.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education required of the position

• High School Diploma or equivalent knowledge of English, basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and calculation of fractions and/or percentages), grammar and punctuation.
• Preferred: Associate's degree and / or relevant experience as described in the main accountabilities. 

Minimum experience required of the position

• Requires a minimum of 1+ years' experience as a gas distribution Dispatcher utilizing Mobile Data system. Other natural gas distribution experience to be considered in lieu of dispatching experience. 

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities preferred of the position

• Must possess a strong background in teamwork skills and demonstrate the ability to produce desired results and maintain composure in a rapidly changing high stress environment.
• Experience in the utility industry, customer service, dispatch, scheduling, emergency response or field operations in a 24x7 regulated environment is preferred.
• Able to demonstrate proficiency with an integrated work order system such as SAP ESD, CCS, MPA, OSS, Service Suite, Oracle, OFS and WACS. 
• Able to transfer technical knowledge to others and teach effectively.
• Able to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and effective listening skills.
• Able to demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills by conveying accurate information to customers, co-workers and vendors.
• Able to solve problems and make sound decisions.
• Able to use personal computer software proficiently such as spreadsheets, word processing and electronic mail.
• Able to prioritize and schedule tasks, pay attention to detail and demonstrate good organizational skills.
• Able to work successfully in a team environment.
• Able to learn quickly the geographic area.
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of gas distribution construction and operations.
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of basic gas properties (i.e., how it smells, how it is transported, its effects and its dangers).
• Able to adapt quickly to changing priorities and shift focus appropriately.
• Able to communicate at all levels of the organization, including communicate operational, procedural, and other front-line employee concerns to management effectively and communicate process changes and other company information to front line employees effectively. 

Any certificates, licenses, etc. required for the position

• None 

Notice:  As a safety sensitive position, compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) drug and alcohol regulations is required, including but not limited to pre-employment drug testing and background screening.

Physical Requirements

• Able to operate a personal computer, either desktop or laptop.
• Able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Able to operate a copy machine, fax machine, calculator, telephone and other miscellaneous office equipment.
• Able to exert up to 10 Lbs. of force occasionally, and /or a minimal amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push or otherwise move objects. 

Working Conditions

The Physical Demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Accountabilities and Essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, within your scope of responsibilities.
• Job duties are performed in a normal and clean office environment with normal noise levels.
• Work is predominately done while standing or sitting.
• The ability to comprehend, document, calculate, visualize and analyze are required.
• Able to work daily in all types of weather conditions.
• Able to work regular hours, with occasional overtime.
• Able to handle emergency situations, including possible exposure to gaseous atmospheres on occasion.
• Able to work rotating shifts, if required.
• Able to respond to emergency calls and/or callouts and occasionally return to work while off duty.
• Able to wear and operate personal protective equipment, such as respirator, safety glasses, hardhat, gloves, protective footwear and earplugs daily.
• Able to be included in random drug screen pool required for DOT drivers and DOT safety sensitive positions.
• May be required to remain in the service area during emergency events and assume responsibilities assigned by the company to aide in restoration efforts.

 

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a natural gas utility headquartered in New Orleans that provides safe, reliable natural gas services across Louisiana and Mississippi. We understand the value of dependable energy and our important role in building stronger, more resilient communities. Delta Utilities is a $1.7 billion organization that represents 600,000 customers and is among the top 40 natural gas utilities in the United States. 

Delta Utilities acquired CenterPoint Energy's natural gas utility operations in Louisiana and Mississippi in April 2025 and acquired Entergy's natural gas utilities in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in July 2025. 

Delta Utilities is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, and the New Orleans City Council. We work closely with our regulatory agencies to deliver safe and reliable natural gas service and maintain fair rates for our customers.

Learn more at 

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.

 

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