Electrical Distribution Operations Center (DOC) Field Planner/Senior

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

 

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

 

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.  

Summary

The DOC Field Planner/Senior DOC Field Planner will ensure adherence to APS' operating practices and procedures, and verify the distribution system is being optimized. They will coordinate and oversee work activities of various APS functional areas and interconnected utilities to ensure that the outage restoration is completed in a timely manner. Provide technical support to local operations, maintenance, construction and management and Distribution Operations Center personnel. Senior level DOC Field Planners will assist in training and provide mentorship to DOC Field Planners.  

Minimum Requirements

DOC Field Planner Minimum Qualifications:

- High School diploma/GED and five (5) years' experience with APS working as a Journeyman Lineman, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Engineer,
- OR equivalent experience where extensive knowledge of the transmission and/or distribution systems operations, maintenance and/or construction is obtained.
- Must have the ability to work independently and be self-directed in establishing priorities and adapting to change. 
- Working knowledge of electrical theory and operation of an interconnected electric distribution system, lines and substation equipment, protective schemes and relays, general safety practices and the APS accident prevention manual. 
- Demonstrated ability to quickly assimilate and evaluate information to determine the scope of unplanned system outages, and formulate viable options to isolate the problem and reconfigure the system in order to restore service.
- Must be able to perform field evaluations as to the extent of damage, and direct field personnel in the priority and required sequencing of activities needed in the completion of permanent repairs in order to return system to its normal configuration. 
 

DOC Field Planner Senior Minimum Qualifications:

- High School diploma/GED and five (5) years' experience with APS working as a DOC Field Planner
- OR ten (10) years of equivalent experience with an extensive knowledge of the distribution systems operations, maintenance and construction.
- Preferred knowledge, skills, or qualifications: Working knowledge of electrical theory and operation of an interconnected electric distribution system, lines and substation equipment, protective schemes and relays, general safety practices and the APS Accident Prevention Manual. Demonstrated ability to quickly assimilate and evaluate information to determine the scope of unplanned system outages, and formulate viable options to isolate the problem and reconfigure the system in order to restore service. Must be able to coordinate field evaluations as to the extent of damage, and direct field personnel in the priority and required sequencing of activities needed in the completion of permanent repairs in order to return system to its normal configuration. Experience with the following applications is preferred: Transmission Outage Application, Advanced Distribution Management System, Geographic Information System, OSIsoft PI. A valid Arizona driver's license is required. May also require the administration of a test.

Major Accountabilities

1) Formulate and execute switching orders to safely and efficiently reconfigure circuits to allow for planned construction and maintenance of distribution facilities.

2) Provide assistance to construction, operations and maintenance personnel to determine necessary equipment needs and outages for planned work. Ensure timely and clear communications are delivered to customers, external agencies and internal departments.

3) As subject matter expert, provide guidance and support to operation center during storms and emergency situations to assist in system restoration. Ensure that restoration efforts support the integrity of the electrical system.

4) Participate in discussion and provide input into projects where an Operations aspect exists.

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