Dispatch Operator 1Department: Dispatch Employment Type: Full Time Location: Main Office Reporting To: Substation, Measurement and Dispatch Supervisor Description Maintains central communication link with DU customers by dispatching employees for normal maintenance or emergency repairs to utility systems and related equipment. Key Responsibilities A commitment to safety, providing reliable utility services, protecting public health and providing excellent customer service are the responsibilities of all job positions at Decatur Utilities. We believe that teamwork, open communication, honesty, integrity, fairness, diversity and respect for each other are essential traits to perform all job duties.
- Receives and dispatches utility trouble calls and assists in the restoration of utility service to the general public.
- Enters individual trouble calls for residential, commercial and industrial customers in OMS, maintains the outage database, tracks service restoration efforts, sets service restoration priorities and assigns crews to specific trouble areas. Follows up with customers to ensure service has been restored.
- Reports significant outage information to Management and the Board of Directors as required.
- Enters reported street light and security light failures and generates service orders for repairs to appropriate DU employee for correction. Enters completed repairs in the database for tracking and reporting purposes.
- Maintains utility infrastructure and outage databases for GIS and OMS applications. Runs GIS and OMS reports and applications interfaces as needed. Identifies and corrects data exceptions to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Maintains utility infrastructure on system wall maps and charts to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Communicates adverse weather conditions to employees.
- Monitors in-house security systems for DU facilities.
- Maintains safety log-in sheet for Plants and Main Office employees on appropriate shifts.
- Monitors and assists with authorized access to DU training facilities.
- Monitors gas and electric SCADA workstations.
- Operates and maintains office standby power source.
- Writes electric system switching instructions under supervision of Dispatch Operator II.
- Coordinates the restoration of commercial and industrial outages.
- Implements DU Emergency Load Curtailment Plan when instructed by TVA.
- Assists in updating and implementing DU Emergency Response Plan as directed.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- High School diploma or GED
- Minimum of 2-4 years work-related experience.
- Must complete and score at least a 4 on the following WorkKeys Assessments: Applied Math, Locating for Information, and Reading for Information, and score a 2 for Observation.
- Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, memos, work order drawings,one-line diagrams, and schematics.
- Ability to prepare reports and routine business correspondence. Ability to effectively communicate one-on-one with customers, co-workers and supervisors via telephone and two-way radio.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Access & Excel) and GIS and OMS applications as required to perform job tasks.
- Available to work scheduled and unscheduled times to accommodate work demands and emergency situations (this includes weekends, shift work and holidays); must be knowledgeable of DU service area and city services and able to work alone and react appropriately to routine outages and emergency situations; maintain professional business appearance and image during normal business hours; subject to random drug testing and driver's license checks; and perform all job tasks in a safe and professional manner.