Energy Production & Distribution — P1
FACILI.ENERGYPRD936.P1
Engineers and operates the systems that generate and distribute electricity and steam — covering real-time SCADA/control-room operation and dispatch, switching and outage coordination, controls/PLC engineering, power-systems analysis (arc-flash, protective coordination), and portfolio-wide automation standardization. This Professional/IC track centers on the technical operation and engineering of the energy grid and generation control/protection systems; it is distinct from sibling focuses such as building mechanical/HVAC operations, water/wastewater treatment, or telecom infrastructure. Note: this ladder follows the operator-to-engineer-to-principal-IC technical path; people-management/plant-operations-manager roles (directing operating personnel, running a plant P&L) belong to the parallel Management (M) track, not the levels below.
Engineers and operates the systems that generate and distribute electricity and steam — covering real-time SCADA/control-room operation and dispatch, switching and outage coordination, controls/PLC engineering, power-systems analysis (arc-flash, protective coordination), and portfolio-wide automation standardization. This Professional/IC track centers on the technical operation and engineering of the energy grid and generation control/protection systems; it is distinct from sibling focuses such as building mechanical/HVAC operations, water/wastewater treatment, or telecom infrastructure. Note: this ladder follows the operator-to-engineer-to-principal-IC technical path; people-management/plant-operations-manager roles (directing operating personnel, running a plant P&L) belong to the parallel Management (M) track, not the levels below.
Focus — Energy Production & Distribution
Engineers and operates the systems that generate and distribute electricity and steam — covering real-time SCADA/control-room operation and dispatch, switching and outage coordination, controls/PLC engineering, power-systems analysis (arc-flash, protective coordination), and portfolio-wide automation standardization. This Professional/IC track centers on the technical operation and engineering of the energy grid and generation control/protection systems; it is distinct from sibling focuses such as building mechanical/HVAC operations, water/wastewater treatment, or telecom infrastructure. Note: this ladder follows the operator-to-engineer-to-principal-IC technical path; people-management/plant-operations-manager roles (directing operating personnel, running a plant P&L) belong to the parallel Management (M) track, not the levels below.
Material SKILL differential vs the function baseline.
Responsibilities by level
What this person actually does at each level on the professional track — escalating scope, not one generic blob. Your level is highlighted.
- Controls, monitors, and operates equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam using data from instruments, computers, and SCADA displays under close supervision
- Reads charts, meters, and gauges to monitor voltage and electricity flows, recording chart and meter readings, power demands, usage, and operating times using transmission system maps
- Checks equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems and escalates anomalies to senior operators or engineers
- Documents system changes, performs routine checks, and participates in safety meetings and technical training
- Completes rigorous long-term on-the-job training and technical instruction toward operator/dispatcher certification
- Distributes and regulates the flow of power between generating stations, substations, distribution lines, and users following defined procedures, keeping track of the status of circuits and connections
- Assists in detecting and responding to emergencies such as transformer or transmission line failures, escalating to senior staff per established protocols
- Monitors SCADA/PLC system performance and performs routine troubleshooting and maintenance in OSI monarch/SGP, Wonderware, or Ignition with general instruction
- Prepares draft switching orders to isolate work areas referring to power system drawings, for senior review before issue
- Supports controls projects including PLC programming, panel-layout drafting in AutoCAD Electrical/Visio, and vendor coordination during FAT/SAT
- Owns controls projects end to end — control design, PLC programming, system integration, and panel layouts — with independence and milestone review
- Prepares and issues switching orders to isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to power system drawings
- Detects and responds to grid emergencies such as transformer or transmission line failures using outage management systems (OMS) and SCADA/WAMS
- Coordinates with engineers, planners, and field personnel to provide clearances and switching orders, planning day-to-day work
- Performs FAT/SAT, coordinates with controls vendors, and verifies integration across SCADA, PLC, and DCS platforms (Siemens WinCC, Ignition, Wonderware)
- Makes architecture choices and designs complex sequence control for generation and distribution automation spanning multiple subsystems
- Performs in-depth power systems analysis including arc-flash and incident-energy studies per IEEE 1584-2018 using ETAP, SKM PowerTools, EasyPower, or ASPEN OneLiner, and protective coordination and settings verification per NERC PRC requirements
- Coordinates across engineering, planning, field, and operations groups to direct switching orders, clearances, and distribution process changes; instructs and directs control room operators during complex switching or restoration (e.g., directing operators to start boilers or generators)
- Selects methods and tools and may lead controls/integration project teams, modeling networks in PSS/E, PowerWorld, CYME, or DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- Sets technical standards for controls design, mentors junior engineers on programming and protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, IEC-61850), and liaises with clients on project scope and deliverables
- Acts independently on broad and strategic automation assignments, defining control architecture, protective-coordination strategy, and SCADA cybersecurity standards adopted across plants and substations
- Resolves intangible, high-stakes problems balancing grid reliability, NERC/FERC compliance, cost, and safety with high independence on broad and special assignments
- Serves as external technical spokesperson with regulators, controls vendors, and industry standards bodies (IEEE, NERC), and as senior client liaison on complex engagements
- Leads development, standardization, and optimization of automation systems and power-systems analysis methodology, building influential cross-functional networks
- Supervises engineers on special initiatives and directs complex restoration, commissioning, and integration efforts across multiple sites
- Leads development, standardization, and optimization of automation systems across an entire generation and distribution portfolio, defining global automation standards, templates, and best practices
- Works cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, controls vendors, and Site Operations to define portfolio-wide automation architecture and reliability strategy
- Sets the technical direction for protective coordination, SCADA cybersecurity, and standards adoption (IEEE, NERC, NFPA 70/70E, FERC) so that all engineered systems meet regulatory and reliability requirements
- Provides high-level technical mentorship to senior and junior engineers and resolves the most ambiguous, field-shaping automation and integration problems
- Acts as recognized technical authority advising leadership and peer professionals on long-range automation, protection, and grid-reliability investment decisions
Level guidelines
The universal leveling rubric applied to this function — how scope, complexity, collaboration, and experience step up across levels.
| Level | Knowledge & Application | Complexity & Problem Solving | Collaboration & Interaction | Typical Degree & Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Applies foundational knowledge of SCADA displays, meter/gauge reading, and basic electronics to routine monitoring and operating tasks under detailed instruction. | Handles routine operating problems with standard answers; escalates anything outside defined parameters to senior operators or engineers. | Maintains stable internal relationships within the control room and shift team; communicates readings and observations. | 0–1 years; new graduate, apprentice, or operator-in-training completing long-term certification. |
| P2 | Applies working knowledge of power distribution, PLC programming, and SCADA troubleshooting to conventional tasks following defined procedures. | Exercises judgment in familiar contexts — drafting switching orders, assisting emergency response, controls debugging — within established methods. | Builds productive project relationships with operators, controls vendors, and field crews during FAT/SAT and routine operations. | 2+ years with a BA/BS, or MS/PhD with no experience; or an experienced operator with demonstrated controls aptitude. |
| P3 | Applies diverse engineering knowledge across control design, system integration, switching, and outage management with moderate independence. | Evaluates identifiable factors to issue switching orders, respond to grid emergencies, and integrate SCADA/PLC/DCS systems. | Networks with senior engineers, planners, and field personnel; may coordinate project activities and clearances. | 5+ years (BA), 3 years (MA), or PhD without experience. |
| P4 | Applies in-depth expertise in control architecture, power systems analysis, and standards (IEEE 1584, NERC PRC) to complex, functionally impactful problems. | Performs in-depth analysis of complex variables — arc-flash studies, protective coordination, sequence control design — selecting methods independently. | Coordinates across engineering, operations, and field groups; influences decisions, directs control room personnel during complex events, and liaises with clients. | 8+ years, often with graduate education. |
| P5 | Brings expert, hard-to-replicate knowledge of automation architecture, regulatory compliance, and protective strategy to strategic, company-wide issues. | Resolves intangible problems with high independence, balancing reliability, compliance, cost, and safety on broad and special assignments. | Builds influential networks; acts as external spokesperson with regulators and standards bodies and senior client liaison; supervises engineers on special tasks. | 12+ years, extensive power-systems and controls expertise. |
| P6 | Applies visionary, field-shaping mastery of power automation, protection, and grid reliability to define portfolio-wide standards and architecture. | Solves the most ambiguous, field-defining automation and integration problems with full independence as a strategic technical contributor. | Influences peer professionals, leadership, and industry practice as a recognized technical authority; provides high-level mentorship across the portfolio. | 15+ years; principal-level expert, often PhD plus industry leadership. |
Skills
Focus-specific skills the role applies — the relevance layer beyond the occupational base.
- SCADA systems
- Supervisory control and data acquisition software used to monitor and control electricity or steam distribution and industrial processes.
- PLC programming and configuration
- Programming and configuring programmable logic controllers for industrial automation and control.
- Industrial automation protocols
- Knowledge of protocols such as Modbus, OPC, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-101/104, OPC UA, and IEC-61850 for connecting control and enterprise systems.
- Switching order preparation
- Preparing and issuing orders to route electrical current around areas needing maintenance without causing outages.
- Power systems analysis
- Analyzing electrical distribution systems including arc-flash and incident-energy studies per IEEE 1584-2018.
- Outage management
- Using outage management systems and responding to emergencies such as cascading power outages.
- Network design and cybersecurity for SCADA
- Understanding network design and cybersecurity principles for protecting SCADA systems.
- Standards and regulatory knowledge
- Knowledge of IEEE, UL, NEC, NFPA 70/70E, FERC, and NERC reliability standards governing power systems.
- Protective coordination
- Performing protective coordination and settings verification to comply with NERC PRC requirements.
- Mathematics
- Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics applied to power systems.
- Computers and electronics
- Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, electronic equipment, hardware and software.
- Telecommunications
- Knowledge of transmission, switching, and control systems.
- Engineering and technology
- Practical application of engineering science to power generation and distribution.
- ETAP
- Uses this tool effectively for power systems modeling, arc-flash, and coordination studies during day-to-day tasks.
- PSS/E
- Uses this tool effectively for transmission and distribution network analysis during day-to-day tasks.
- ASPEN OneLiner
- Uses this tool effectively for short-circuit and protective relay coordination studies during day-to-day tasks.
- AutoCAD Electrical
- Uses this tool effectively for panel layouts and electrical design drawings during day-to-day tasks.
Provenance
The evidence base behind this profile — every layer is sourced; quality is scored by an adversarial review panel (1–5; passes at ≥4 on the minimum dimension).
9 sources
- O*NET 51-8012.00 Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- O*NET 11-3051.00 Industrial Production Managers / 11-3051.06 Hydroelectric Production Managers
- O*NET 17-2071.00 Electrical Engineers
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers
- U.S. Department of Energy OMETA model
- NERC reliability standards
- IEEE standards (1547, 519, 2030, 1584-2018)
- NFPA 70 / 70E
- Industry job postings for SCADA/controls and power systems engineers
Level — P1 — Entry-Level Professional
New to role or field; performs basic tasks under supervision
- Scope
- Own tasks within a defined component
- Autonomy
- Close supervision; work reviewed frequently
- Complexity
- Routine problems with known solutions
- Impact
- Own deliverables
- Decision rights
- Few independent decisions; escalates the rest
- Leadership
- None — building the craft
- Typical experience
- 0–2 yrs
Adjacent roles
Nearest roles by structural coordinates (level + taxonomy). Distance 0 → 1; each carries its 3-state match band. How coordinates work → · Compare side-by-side →
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O*NET / SOC
- code=51-8013source=jfm-factory.resolve