The Power Dispatchers work under limited supervision, communicate with customer service, distribution, maintenance and repair personnel within City Light, as well as outside utility staff and customers as necessary to exchange information. They work on developing strong safety methods and practices associated with dispatching work, in part, by conducting field visits to investigate problems, verify equipment status, properly identify locations of equipment failures and carry out related field duties. These positions are the most customer facing job within the System Operations Center with our customer-owners and will report to the Chief Power Dispatcher of distribution.

• Plans and executes switching to maintain the system's integrity so field crews may work safely on equipment and then returns the system to normal.
• Investigates alarms and calls from customers, substation operators, and police and fire dispatchers to determine whether power needs to be restored. Analyzes reports and data; plans and directs switching to restore outages; dispatches crews to make repairs; and informs appropriate departmental personnel about outages.
• Issues clearances, keeps or holds them open for routine and emergency requests after researching and planning switching sequences.
• Maintains various logs such as Power Dispatcher Logs, Service Dispatcher Logs, and clearances.
• Maintains and updates records, maps and drawings of the distribution system and equipment.
• Monitors the distribution system using computer monitoring systems and reports from substation operators.
• Answers customer calls regarding customer outages and any abnormal conditions. Dispatches crews after analyzing the situation or takes other appropriate action as necessary.
• Maintains and updates data and computer programs.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

• May be required to be on call 24 hours/day to respond to emergency situations.
• Required to work nights, evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Required to work rotating shifts.
• May be exposed to hostile or abusive customers who are telephoning the utility.
• Required to be at work station during the entire shift.

• Ability to work in a team environment, perform work and make quick decisions in high-pressure situations .

• 
  A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 (Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.