Power Dispatcher

Power Dispatcher

Salary

$114,184.93 - $150,033.31 Annually

Location

City of Pasadena, CA

Job Type

2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK

Job Number

26-143

Department

Water & Power

Division

Power Delivery

Opening Date

03/26/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The City of Pasadena Water & Power Department is seeking an experienced Power Dispatcher to sustain continuity of service demands through transmission and distribution lines and equipment. Additionally, the successful candidates will operate the Pasadena Water Departments SCADA system.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a proactive, dependable professional with strong technical judgment and a commitment to safety. They will confidently coordinate the safe restoration and maintenance of electrical service, demonstrating sound decision-making and steady composure-even in emergency situations. The ideal candidate will also effectively develop, adjust, and carry out plans and schedules for removing lines and equipment from service, ensuring reliable system operations for the community.

To learn more about the Pasadena Water and Power Department, please visit Water and Power Department.

Please note: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. First consideration will be given to applications received by April 9, 2026. Apply today!

Essential Functions

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the complete job description for Power Dispatcher.

• Controls by observation, the safe and reliable operation of the Citys electric generation, transmission and distribution system; communicates with Substation Switchers and field personnel.
• Makes changes to maintain economical, reliable and safe operating conditions.
• Operates analogue, digital and computer terminal equipment and computer software programs related to centralized control of the Citys Electrical System to assure proper and reliable exchange schedules and efficient operation.
• Coordinates necessary station and distribution switching to protect repair personnel; isolates and restores to operation faulted circuits and equipment.
• Plans, writes and schedules switching procedures to place new lines and equipment in service; removes lines and equipment out of service; maintains switching log records of orders issued to and reports received from field personnel; in accordance with general and specific instructions, verifies, acknowledges and resets alarms; starts, stops and transfers control of various units of equipment; takes prescribed corrective action; takes readings and logs; maintains paper and ink; understands and uses Microsoft 365 software; prepares written reports.
• Interprets information from the SCADA Outage Management System and Calls Manager and performs appropriate operations.
• Revises equipment data and circuit maps for dispatching use; makes temporary and permanent changes to system; documents system changes; participates in refresher training of all phases of central load dispatching techniques; assists in training Substation Operators.
• Performs Substation Switching operations and may perform duties of Senior Power Dispatcher when required and qualified.

Qualification Guidelines

COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Attention to Detail - Takes extra care and detail to allow for the ability to manage own work with a high level of accuracy.
• Communication - Communicates with clarity and in a manner that is approachable.
• Decision Making - Ability to maintain focus on goals when determining the best course of action.
• Professional Integrity - Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization and displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Professional and Technical Expertise - Technical expertise to sustain continuity of service demands through transmission and distribution lines and equipment.
• Safety Focus - Recognition of the dangers and potential problems that exist in this field of work. Demonstrating a clear understanding of the importance of keeping others safe by knowing about and adhering to relevant state and local safety regulations and health regulations, policies and procedures.
• Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals. Handles conflict recognizing, understanding and managing strained situations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• (3) Three years' experience performing electrical operational activities in a power substation or equivalent.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, written or performance exam, interview panel, and/or department-level interviews. Applicants may also be required to complete a brief soft-skills assessment during the selection process. The candidate assessment provides insight into core interpersonal skills, behavioral traits, and preferred work environment, helping us support your success in the role.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently (1) one vacancy in the Water and Power Department. The resulting eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.

This position is part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) labor group.

Special Requirements

Must have or obtain a valid Class C California drivers license as required at time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment.

Must obtain a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) System Operator Certification with a Reliability Operator credential within (12) twelve months of appointment and maintain the certification as a condition of employment.

The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to manage our defined benefits program for eligible employees. CalPERS manages the pension and health benefits to more than 1.6 million public employees, retirees, and their families and more than 3,000 employers.

Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) and 2.7% at 57 benefit formula (if a safety employee).

Employees who are deemed "Classic" members of CalPERS or a reciprocal system such as the Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement System (LACERA) or Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS) will receive the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) or 3% at 55 benefit formula (if a safety employee). A CalPERS "Classic" member is a member who previously worked for a California public agency and meets the following criteria:

• First established CalPERS membership or membership in a CalPERS reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013,
• And is hired by the City of Pasadena after a break in service of less than six months
• And did not have concurrent (overlapping) service with the other agency.

01

Do you have (3) three or more years of experience in electrical operational activities in a power substation or equivalent field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) System Operator certification with a Reliability Operator credential?

• Yes
• No

03

Describe your experience as a substation operator, steam plant operator, electric distribution mechanic, electrical construction, electrical tester, lineman, underground, or nuclear plant operator. What agency did you work for and what was your title?

04

Are you able to work an 8-Hour/7-day rotating shift cycle that includes days, nights, graveyards and holidays?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Pasadena

Address 100 N. Garfield Ave., Rm S135

P. O. Box 7115

Pasadena, California, 91109-7215

Phone (626) 744-4366

(626) 744-4366

Website http://www.cityofpasadena.net/humanresources