Outage Communications Specialist (P1)-3

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Outage Communication Specialist

SUMMARY

The outage communications role, referred to as OCS (Outage Communications Specialist), is a newer role to PGE. Created in 2022, the focus of the OCS is to manage and summarize communications both internally and externally regarding outages. Internally they are a single source of ‘truth’ for what’s happening in the field and the status of restoration efforts, including managing estimated restoration times (ERT’s). Externally, they support our ability to give our customers a better overall sense of what is happening and when they can expect their power to be restored. The team tracks planned and unplanned outages until power is restored to affected customers. By watching over these activities and managing accurate communications on the status of the outage, cause codes, and ERT’s, affected customers and PGE employees involved in the restoration work can more easily track the status and progress of the work. Beyond outage communications the team also support critical Wildfire and outage data validation functions. 

The communications role is a 24/7 staffed role from within the Distribution Control Center, on site at our Integrated Operations Center in Tualatin, OR. The Outage Communications Specialist will go through a multi-week onboarding and qualification period with capability assessments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Outage Management - Uses the Distribution Outage Management System (OMS) to schedule distribution planned customer outages, manage Estimated Restoration Times (ERT), prepare and review switching sheets, and communicate with various departments and crews.

Process Configuration Changes - Notifies PGE Mapping Department of device mapping corrections and assists with processing permanent primary distribution system configuration changes.

Unplanned Outage/Emergency Response - Performs real-time updates in OMS for unplanned outages, assists with customer callbacks, and prepares communication updates on outages.

System Monitoring - Actively monitors and provides updates in various systems for Planned Outage Events, ensures safety, reliability, efficiency, and compliance requirements are met.

Reporting and Tracking - Responds to data requests, analyzes data, develops reports, and compiles metrics related to departmental and system performance.

Internal/External Relations - Interacts with various departments and groups for both planned and unplanned outage events.

Knowledge Sharing - Conducts peer-to-peer training.

We're hiring for a position open to both entry and associate level candidates. The level will be determined based on the successful applicant's qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills during the interview process.

Responsibilities for the Entry Level position: 

• Uses the Distribution Outage Management System (OMS) to schedule distribution planned customer outages from Crew Coordination. 
• Uses OMS to manage Estimated Restoration Times (ERT) which involves reviewing assigned ERT assigned by the system, validating the assets associated with the outage, confirming resource (material/human/equipment) availability and assignment, and forecasting appropriate ERTs based on scenario analysis. 
• Uses the OMS to prepare, review & update distribution planned customer outage switching sheets involving secondary voltage for accuracy and schedule according to Crew Coordination and Work Order Owners request. 
• Contacts customers regarding same day changes associated with planned outages.  
• Issues, monitors, and updates planned outage status, in the Outage Management System, in real time, to capture accurate outage duration and customer impact. 
• Notifies PGE Mapping Department of device mapping corrections needed. 
• May be required to perform real-time updates in OMS for secondary voltages for unplanned outages. May assist with customer callbacks. 
• Works closely with Distribution Control Center staff including Distribution System Operators and Repair Dispatch to interpret the situation and pull relevant information together. 
• Prepares communication updates on outages to inform PGE employees as well as