Power Distributors and Dispatchers Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Power Distributors and Dispatchers

The main tasks and work activities of Power Distributors and Dispatchers are to operate energy distribution equipment, plan production or operational procedures or sequences, exchange information with colleagues, direct operational or production activities. In general, for the Power Distributors and Dispatchers, monitoring, critical Thinking, active Listening, speaking and other 10 skills are required.

Power Distributors and Dispatchers Job Description
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Power Distributors and Dispatchers jobs. 51.92% of Power Distributors and Dispatchers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 17.87% of Power Distributors and Dispatchers have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

51.92%

Post-Secondary Certificate

17.87%

Some College Courses

15.47%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

14.73%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

0.01%

Tasks and Work Activities of Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.
Track conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjust equipment to meet any anticipated changes.
Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
Record and compile operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.
Inspect equipment to ensure that specifications are met or to detect any defects.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in the power distribution process.
Implement energy schedules, including real-time transmission reservations or schedules.
Repair, maintain, or clean equipment or machinery, using hand tools.

Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Operate energy distribution equipment.
Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Direct operational or production activities.
Record operational or production data.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
Inspect production equipment.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Clean production equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Power Distributors and Dispatchers

MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.

Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Electrical control panels for generatorse.g. Integrated power system switchboards
Mainframe computerse.g. Mainframe computers
Electrical control panels for generatorse.g. Multi-metering switchboards
Distribution or control board fixturese.g. Panelboard switches
Distribution or control board fixturese.g. Panelboards

Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
TelecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Power Distributors and Dispatchers Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Skills and Abilities for Power Distributors and Dispatchers