Job Description

Senior Electric Distribution System Operator

Relocation to Colorado Springs is required with relocation assistance available to the successful candidate.

The starting pay rate for this job is $65.15 followed by an increase to $68.42 after probation (six months).

Colorado Springs Utilities provides electricity to more than 260,000 customers across the Front Range. As a Senior Electric Distribution System Operator, you will help to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient real-time operation of our electric distribution system serving our community. You will monitor and control system conditions using SCADA, OMS, and other tools to maintain load balance, voltage profiles, and system configuration across our 34.5kV sub-transmission and 12.5kV distribution systems. Additionally, you will coordinate closely with field personnel and engineering to direct switching, issue clearances and hotline orders, and safely isolate equipment for planned and emergent work.

Please note that this job requires working rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during system events, and supporting storm response and emergency operators as needed. Additionally, as this is a Senior-level position, while you will be working under general supervision, you will be required to make critical and independent decisions in a fast-paced environment under potentially stressful conditions.

What Else Will You be Doing?

• Analyze distribution system conditions and respond to outages, faults, and abnormal events
• Evaluate and approve planned outages based on system conditions and operational risks
• Maintain accurate operating logs, switching records, and event documentation, and prepare reports
• Assist and collaborate with Field Engineering to ensure ongoing system stability and performance
• Identify and mitigate system risks through proactive system monitoring and control actions
• Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to operators and ensure all procedures are understood

Who You Are

• Experience working in a transmission or distribution system operator capacity, or in a control room environment
• Knowledge of electric generation, transmission, distribution, and control room operations
• Experience using SCADA or other energy management systems, and outage management systems
• Knowledge of distribution system mapping and switching and load restoration principles
• Ability to use computers and software applications
• Commitment to safety

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary work. Even though the weight lifted may be of only negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those is negligible. Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions within an office working environment.

Our Commitment to Our Employees

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness