Job Description
Salary : $114,184.93 - $150,033.31 Annually
Location : City of Pasadena, CA
Job Type: 2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK
Job Number: 26-076
Department: Water & Power
Division: Power Delivery
Opening Date: 12/04/2025
Closing Date: 12/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
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 Department's 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
Essential Functions The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the complete job description for
- Controls by observation, the safe and reliable operation of the City's 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 City's 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.
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 driver's 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.
Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS' reciprocity or who have more than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPER (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula.
Employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the City will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula.
Click link below to review the City's excellent benefits package
01
Do you have (3) three or more years of experience in electrical operational activities in a power substation or equivalent field?
02
Do you possess a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) System Operator certification with a Reliability Operator credential?
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?
Required Question
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Local area, Night shift, Rotating shift, Day shift,