Distribution Operator

Join The AES CorporationAre you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.AES Ohio serves approximately 500,000 customers across a 6,000 square-mile service area in Southwest-Central Ohio. This includes 14,800 miles of distribution lines and over 150 substations.Distribution OperatorUnder limited direction, the Distribution Operator controls and operates the company's distribution resources—including circuit breakers, switches, voltage regulating equipment, and other devices associated with the system. The role ensures compliance with PUCO regulations and AES safety and operating standards, while coordinating and directing all switching operations on the mainline distribution system.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesImplements real-time actions, up to and including shedding firm load under direction of the transmission System OperatorDirects all actions for safety and reliability of the distribution electric grid, including field crews, electrical equipment, and customers in matters that affect distribution grid reliabilityDirects all switching and tagging activities to achieve LOTO isolation on mainline distribution equipment for both scheduled and outage situationsResponds to distribution disturbances within established regulatory, industry, and company standards to assure a continuous supply of electricity to customersOn point to communicate to co-workers and management the status of abnormal system conditionsMonitors and utilizes reactive reserves to ensure system reliabilityMentor Distribution Operator Trainees through the Operator training program.Annually review and update department Standard Operating ProceduresUtilize the system model to simulate removing distribution elements from service and review resulting contingency analysis to prevent any real time violations which may occurResponsible for being knowledgeable of the procedures to transfer operations to the Back-up Control Center and implementing if necessaryAssist with outage scheduling – writing switch orders, coordinating resources, customer and, running load flow studies to evaluate outages and contingencies, planning projects and looking for conflicting outages, develop mitigation strategies for reliability concernsAssist with developing and maintaining department tools – support model updates, state estimator and contingency analysis troubleshooting, monitor and resolve solution cost or high iteration alarms, solve bad data problems, PI situational awareness displays, work with EMS staff on ADMS updates and model pushesDevelops and maintains knowledge of the Company's substation, distribution and transmission systems, relay protection schemes, safety requirements, electrical theory, field equipment capabilities and associated operating procedures and guidelinesQualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline is preferred but not required.Associate's degree with demonstrated aptitude in math and electrical theory accepted, especially when paired with relevant work experience in electrical utility operationsEquivalent combinations of education and experience will be consideredCompany-level training completion requiredSkillsStrong written and verbal communicationAbility to comprehend complex instructions and technical documentationProficiency in algebra, geometry, and electrical theorySkilled in using databases, spreadsheets, and word processing toolsAbility to make sound judgments and crucial decisions in short amounts of timeAbility to understand and assimilate complex technical informationAbility to work with little supervision and only general guidelines at timesAbility to operate grid operations systems and other computer platformsCapable of interpreting diverse data sets to ensure grid reliabilityAble to solve practical problems with limited standardizationAuthorized to take real-time actions and shed firm load during emergenciesResponsible for decisions impacting employee safety and equipment integrityAbility to perform physical tasks such as standing for extended periods and occasionally lifting up to 25 poundsAbility to work rotating shifts and respond effectively to changing system conditionsComfortable working in a control room environment with continuous monitoring responsibilitiesThis position follows a 12-hour rotating shift schedule, with the department providing 24/7 coverage.AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.