Job Description

PURPOSE:  The Dispatcher position is responsible for operation and dispatching throughout the MEA power system. This position coordinates or directs the “real time” operation of electrical transmission and distribution facilities throughout the cooperative’s service area, including maintaining adequate specified voltage levels and other specified operating parameters.

While the Dispatcher must comply with MEA’s general dispatching policies, the position also requires an individual capable of exercising considerable independence of judgment. With respect to work crews and crew foremen, this position is responsible for assignment of work, direction of work forces and work crews, requirement of nighttime call-outs, authorization for overtime, and other direction in response to the dispatching needs of the utility.

Responsibilities include proper implementation of company policies and directing company and contractor personnel to properly represent management and its policies in in-house, customer/member, and other public relationships.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

1.       Maintains voltage levels by ordering the transfer load, adjusting regulators, and changing taps of transformers when appropriate. Performs work using a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and computer terminals.

2.       Controls the loading of distribution, transmission, and substation equipment by operating or ordering the operations and substation plant equipment in a manner that supports maximum economy of operation. Maintains the dispatcher diagram board. Determines switching methods and administers clearance procedures.

3.       Analyzes abnormal system conditions in order to solve problems relating to the continuity of service and restoration of generation, transmission, and customer loads.

4.       Works with system planning engineer and Supervisor of Dispatch and Meter Relay on load studies concerning the upgrading of MEA distribution and transmission circuits. Assists as requested with system planning, load forecasting, and power billing.

5.       Orders both pre-arranged and emergency switching, controlling power switching devices at all substations.

6.       Takes prompt and appropriate action to restore system with power when failure occurs. Dispatches lineman and line crews, as well as other employees, to trouble spots during outages to restore power. Receives consumer trouble calls, determines cause of outages and other trouble calls, and assigns work to available personnel. Directs and locates line crews, equipment, and additional personnel to a given location or locations during outages and trouble calls. Acts as the central coordination point and reporting point for all personnel assigned and dispatched to such locations.

7.       Issues clearances and hold orders on electrical facilities for the protection of MEA and contractor personnel.

8.       Coordinates with other management personnel in regard to critical operation problems, including major outages. Provides information to Corporate Communications in the event of major outages for the purpose of preparation of news releases. Plans and schedules equipment outages under the direction of the Supervisor of Dispatch and Meter Relay.

9.       As directed by management, represents MEA with respect to interfacing with system dispatchers from other interconnected power systems, to include arranging with these other utilities for the use or operation of interconnected facilities.

10.    Keeps accurate and legible records of trouble calls and enters data into program daily by completing the operating logs; and maintains other miscellaneous records as requested.

11.    Responsible for administration of discipline in the event of a disciplinary incident which involves employees under the control or responsibility of the Dispatcher. Positions covered include foremen, leadmen, line crew personnel, meter relay technicians, or other personnel assigned to a line crew or a trouble call. When such an incident arises, the Dispatcher will work with the appropriate supervisor to conduct an investigation of the incident and administer appropriate discipline, which may include suspension, discharge, and other disciplinary actions. Dispatcher is also responsible for the removal of a contractor crew or contractor employee, subject to the Supervisor of Dispatch and Meter Relay’s direction.

12.    Performs field checks to verify accuracy of one-line system diagrams, mimic board, and maps as changes in the system occur.

13.    Responsible for monitoring MEA headquarters facilities security. Duties include closing and locking access gates at night and re-opening gates in the morning. Reports any concerns regarding security at any MEA site to Energy Services Manager, or other personnel or agencies, as directed.

14.    Provides, maintains, and is accountable for a safe work environment for staff and ensures compliance with company work rules and safety policy.

The above list of essential functions is not intended to be all-inclusive, as the employee will also perform other normally-related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management personnel.

MEA is a locally-regulated transmission and distribution cooperative which serves approximately 38,200 customer/members with over 47,300 active accounts along more than 3,350 miles of energized line from Talkeetna to Eagle River, north to south, and Petersville to Sheep Mountain, west to east. MEA is Alaska's oldest and second-largest electric cooperative, and is owned and operated by its members. Headquartered in Palmer, Alaska, MEA is a progressive and growing utility, serving the fastest-growing population area in Alaska.

 The town of Palmer is nestled in the lush Matanuska-Susitna Valley, surrounded by the majestic Chugach Mountain Range. Today, MEA's service area is 3,360 square miles in Southcentral Alaska, nearly the same size as the 2.2 million acre Yellowstone National Park. MEA serves an area twice as large as Delaware and three-fifths the size of Connecticut.  

Job Requirements

Qualified candidates are required to have a high school education, or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates who can show successful completion of an apprenticeship program or other training program for such positions as lineman, substation operator, generation operator, meter relay technician, electrical engineering, electrical technician, journeyman electrician, or other such directly related positions. These programs provide an educational emphasis in electrical theory, math, high voltage power systems, safety rules, and electrical switching, which is desirable.

While there is no requirement regarding directly-related work experience in the electrical utility industry, preference will be given to those candidates with two to four years of such directly related work experience.  Preference will also be given to applicants whose resume indicates a thorough knowledge of how high voltage electricity is handled and whose background evidences the ability to take initiative and to work successfully with minimal supervision.

Knowledge of geographical location of MEA and interconnected power systems facilities, including terrain and access, is desirable.

NOTE:  Complete achievement of certain of the above specifications may not be required if, in the opinion of the MEA hiring supervisor, a particular candidate possesses significant offsetting characteristics, such as past accomplishments, experience, education, or estimate of future potential.  Should an applicant be deficient in certain educational achievements, offsetting experience may be substituted or vice versa.

APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Contact Person: Heidi L. Kelley, HR Manager

Email Address: hlkelley@matanuska.com

Phone: 907-761-9219

Fax: 907-761-9264

Apply URL: http://mea.coop