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Power Distributor or Dispatcher

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Life As a Power Distributor or Dispatcher

Job Description & Duties Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.

Power Distributor or Dispatcher Responsibilities

  • Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
  • Repair, maintain, or clean equipment or machinery, using hand tools.
  • Record and compile operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.
  • Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
  • Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
  • Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.

Power Distributor or Dispatcher Skills

Power Distributors and Dispatchers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening: Giving 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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Types of Power Distributor or Dispatcher

  • Lineman
  • Electrical Energy Distribution Technician
  • Board Operator
  • Electrical Energy Storage/Distribution Technician
  • Substation Operator Apprentice

Are There Job Opportunities for Power Distributors and Dispatchers?

In the United States, there were 11,600 jobs for Power Distributor or Dispatcher in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Power Distributor or Dispatcher. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,000 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Power Distributor or Dispatcher are Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Wyoming, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Power Distributors and Dispatchers Make A Lot Of Money?

Power Distributors and Dispatchers make between $54,670 and $117,860 a year.

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Power Distributors and Dispatchers who work in Washington, New York, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.

How much do Power Distributors and Dispatchers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $86,670
Alaska $97,430
Arizona $94,020
Arkansas $79,270
California $93,200
Colorado $93,280
Connecticut $90,690
Florida $73,570
Georgia $78,600
Idaho $91,880
Illinois $75,780
Indiana $77,140
Kansas $81,630
Kentucky $99,030
Maine $59,700
Maryland $73,060
Massachusetts $93,690
Michigan $88,640
Minnesota $90,870
Mississippi $71,920
Missouri $86,320
Montana $95,030
Nebraska $91,090
Nevada $102,130
New Hampshire $94,760
New Jersey $89,590
New Mexico $88,210
New York $104,310
North Carolina $75,370
Ohio $82,050
Oklahoma $79,430
Oregon $100,610
Pennsylvania $87,930
South Carolina $66,770
Tennessee $70,680
Texas $70,630
Utah $86,170
Virginia $76,230
Washington $110,010
West Virginia $81,340
Wisconsin $90,210
Wyoming $94,850

Tools & Technologies Used by Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Power Distributors and Dispatchers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Access
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software

Becoming a Power Distributor or Dispatcher

Education needed to be a Power Distributor or Dispatcher:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?

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Where Power Distributors and Dispatchers Are Employed

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Below are examples of industries where Power Distributors and Dispatchers work:

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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