Team Leader, Distribution Operations

AES Indiana Distribution Operations Team Leader

Job Description

Position Summary

The AES Indiana Distribution Operations Team Leader directly leads and oversees the Distribution Operations Control Center. The role supports safe, reliable, economical, and environmentally responsible distribution system operations by coordinating real-time operations, switching, outage response, service restoration, employee development, and compliance activities. During routine, abnormal, and emergency conditions, the Team Leader provides technical direction and coordinates with field operations, engineering, transmission operations, customer service, and other internal stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Makes complex operating, engineering and economic decisions involving the restoration of customers' electric service following system emergencies and coordinates the distribution system effort with the Transmission Control Center and the Distribution Operations Control Center.
• Provides day-to-day supervision, leadership, and training. Offers technical advice and guidance for difficult projects and prioritizes, directs, monitors, and evaluates the performance of direct reports. Prepares, controls, and administers project budgets to support operational performance, cost efficiency, and reliability.
• Maintains a work environment that promotes good customer service to both internal and external stakeholders, striving to economically meet customer requests within the timeframe requested.
• Maintains a safe, professional work environment that offers employees challenging and meaningful work and opportunities to develop their skills and talents.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Distribution Operations Control Center.
• Develops and maintains complex rotating work schedules.
• Reviews and approves employee timekeeping records.
• Manages or oversee's operational supply inventory and tracking.
• Monitors assigned work orders through completion.
• Provides quality-control oversight for control center processes and documentation.
• Communicates and coordinates with Lines, Trouble, Engineering, Customer Service, and Service Connections.
• Maintains working knowledge of transformers, voltage regulators, circuit breakers, capacitors, switchgear, reclosers, and overhead and underground distribution circuits.
• Ensures the preparation and execution of contingency plans for operating the distribution system during natural disasters, civil disturbances, and other critical situations.
• Directs, plans, and arranges work schedules to meet regular and unscheduled operational needs. Participates in long-range Company planning with other departments and organizations outside Customer Operations.
• Assist during emergency operating conditions by supporting actions necessary to protect system integrity, prevent loss of life, minimize equipment damage, and support timely service restoration.
• Coordinates distribution system operations with AES Indiana Transmission and Distribution Operations personnel.
• Monitor OMS, ADMS, outage management tools, one-line diagrams, alarms, and other control center applications to support situational awareness and operational decision-making.
• Learn and apply applicable AES Indiana internal operating requirements related to distribution operations.
• Participates in training, simulations, procedure reviews, system studies, event reviews, and other development activities required to maintain Team Leader proficiency and support operator qualification and development.
• Perform other duties, special assignments, and operational support tasks as assigned by System Operations leadership.

Key Competencies

• Safety Focus: Demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting employees, contractors, customers, the public, and the electric system.
• Operational Discipline: Follows procedures, validates information, maintains accurate records, and applies a questioning attitude during real-time operations.
• Situational Awareness: Monitors system conditions, recognizes abnormalities, and communicates concerns promptly to qualified personnel.
• Communication: Uses professional, precise, and repeatable communication with control center personnel, field crews, leadership, and external entities.
• Learning Agility: Actively develops technical knowledge, seeks feedback, completes training requirements, and progresses toward operator qualification.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with System Operations, field organizations, engineering, reliability, generation, and emergency response partners.

Working Conditions

This position is based in a real-time operations control center and requires rotating shifts to support continuous 24/7 system operations. The Distribution Operations Team Leader must maintain focus during routine, abnormal, and emergency conditions; respond to alarms and operational events; communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders; and support storm restoration and emergency response activities as required.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.