Director of Control Operations

Skills at this level

SCADA / EMS Operational Command

— Directs the use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Energy Management Systems to monitor and control utility networks in real time, interpreting system data to tune control strategies and manage complex power-system operations.

Control System Operation and Monitoring

— Oversees operation of utility control panels, monitoring software, switches, valves, and control devices, ensuring operators correctly manage alarms, production rates, and system-status logging across shifts.

Outage and Contingency Planning

— Develops and exercises emergency plans, call trees, and restoration procedures for critical water, electricity, and gas systems, coordinating outage planning and contingency operations to minimize service disruption.

Load Optimization and System Redundancy

— Uses BAS/SCADA and energy-management data to balance loads, minimize fuel usage, and maintain redundancy so utility systems deliver service efficiently and reliably.

Utility Safety and Regulatory Compliance

— Enforces lockout/tagout, confined space, and hot work procedures on the operating floor and ensures control operations comply with standards such as NERC and IEEE.

Root Cause Analysis of System Failures

— Performs and directs investigation of repeat utility control-system failures to identify underlying causes and implements corrective actions across shift crews.

Shift Operations Supervision

— Schedules and directs control-room operators across nights, weekends, and holidays, assigning coverage and ensuring proper documentation of system activities and operational records.

Operator Training and Development

— Provides structured training and guidance so control operators gain the knowledge and skills needed to operate utility control systems safely and effectively.

Commissioning and Field Engineering Oversight

— Provides oversight and direction for commissioning, testing, and inspection of control systems, including for new wind, solar, and battery-farm integrations.

DER and Fleet Control Integration

— Applies power-plant electrical and control-subsystem expertise to integrate distributed energy resources and an expanding fleet of renewable assets into utility control operations.

Control Operations Budget and Resource Management

— Sets and manages operating budgets, staffing models, and resource allocation for control-operations units to meet reliability targets against cost constraints.