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Power Distributor/Dispatcher

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AVG. SALARY

$107,890

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EDUCATION

Post-secondary training +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Power Distributors and Dispatchers Career Video

About This Career

Coordinates, regulates, or distributes electricity or steam.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Production pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Responds to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and routes current around affected areas.
  • Prepares switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
  • Controls, monitors, or operates equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
  • Coordinates with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
  • Distributes or regulates the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
  • Records and compiles operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.
  • Manipulates controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
  • Calculates load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
  • Tracks conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjusts equipment to meet any anticipated changes.
  • Directs personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Rotating shift work
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Control Operator
  • Distribution Dispatcher
  • Distribution System Operator
  • Electric System Operator
  • Power System Dispatcher
  • Power System Operator
  • System Operator
  • Transmission System Operator

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support