Grid Operations Switching Coordinator

Grid Operations Switching Coordinator

Ideal candidates will possess: experience working with electrical distribution systems, utility industry experience, strong understanding of distribution switching procedures, electrical clearances, safety tags, grid operations, basic electrical theory or engineering knowledge, strong organizational and communication skills, ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment, commitment to safety and operational excellence.

Preferred qualifications include previous field experience as a Lineman or Trouble man, experience within a Distribution System Operating Group at an electric utility, experience with Oracle NMS.

Our client is seeking a Grid Operations Switching Coordinator to join the Outage Coordination team supporting distribution system operations. This position is responsible for scheduling, coordinating, and developing distribution switching procedures for construction and maintenance activities across the NSP service territory while ensuring all work is completed safely and in accordance with established operating policies and guidelines.

Key responsibilities include scheduling, coordinating, and writing distribution switching procedures for construction and maintenance work, developing detailed switching plans for the NSP distribution territory, preparing switching requests to support planned grid work, coordinating switching activities with the Control Center and Outage Coordination teams, reviewing switching plans, obtaining required approvals, and scheduling work for execution, ensuring all switching procedures comply with company safety policies, switching guidelines, and operating standards, maintaining knowledge of safety tags, electrical clearances, and switching procedures, providing operational support to the Control Center during switching activities by answering questions and resolving issues, collaborating with internal Grid Operations, Construction, Maintenance, and Control Center teams to ensure projects remain on schedule, helping minimize project delays by coordinating switching activities efficiently and proactively managing workloads.

The Outage Coordination team is responsible for safely supporting construction and maintenance work across the distribution system. As demand for switching plans continues to grow, timely coordination has become increasingly important. This position helps ensure projects move forward without unnecessary delays by providing the resources needed to coordinate, communicate, and develop switching procedures efficiently. Successful performance in this role directly contributes to improved customer responsiveness, reduced construction delays, and overall grid reliability.

Each day involves reviewing upcoming construction and maintenance work, preparing switching plans for the next one to two days, routing plans through the approval process, scheduling approved work, coordinating with the Control Center, and supporting operations during execution. The role requires frequent communication with internal operations teams while ensuring all safety and operational procedures are followed.

Team environment includes a collaborative team of six professionals, close interaction with Control Center, Outage Coordination, Grid Operations, Construction and Maintenance teams, supportive, collaborative environment that values teamwork, communication, and safety. Training & ramp-up while experienced utility professionals will quickly contribute, expect approximately 6 months to 1 year to become fully proficient in Xcel Energy's switching processes, procedures, systems, and operating standards.