Nature of the Work
  • Electricity is one of our nation’s most vital resources.
  • It powers everything from light bulbs and appliances that you use around your house to supercomputers that power the Internet.
  • From the moment you flip the first switch each morning, you are connecting to a huge network of people, electric lines, and generating equipment.
  • Power plant operators control the machinery that generates electricity.
  • Power plant distributors and dispatchers control the flow of electricity as it travels through a network of transmission lines from the power plant to industrial plants and substations, and then flows through distribution lines to residential users.
  • Power plant operators control and monitor boilers, turbines, generators, and auxiliary equipment in power-generating plants.
  • They distribute power among generators, regulate the output from several generators, and monitor instruments to maintain voltage and regulate electricity flows from the plant.
  • When demand changes, power plant operators communicate with dispatchers at distribution centres to match production with system the load.
  • On the basis of this communication, they start and stop generators, altering the amount of electricity output.
  • They also go on rounds to check that everything in the plant is operating correctly and keep records of switching operations and loads on generators, lines, and transformers.
  • In all of these tasks, they use computers to report unusual incidents, malfunctioning equipment, or maintenance performed during their shifts.
  • Nuclear power reactor operators perform similar tasks at a nuclear power plant. Most start working as equipment operators or auxiliary operators.
  • At this stage, they help the more senior workers with equipment maintenance and operation while learning the basics of plant operation.
  • With experience and training they may be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as reactor operators, making them authorized to control equipment that affects the power of the reactor in a nuclear power plant.
  • Senior reactor operators supervise the operation of all controls in the control room. At least one senior operator must be on duty during each shift to act as the plant supervisor.
  • Power distributors and dispatchers, also called load dispatchers or systems operators, work for utility companies, non-utility generators, and other companies that access the power grid.
    • They control the flow of electricity through transmission lines to industrial plants and substations that supply residential and commercial needs for electricity.
    • They monitor and operate current converters, voltage transformers, and circuit breakers. Dispatchers also monitor other distribution equipment and record readings at a map board—a diagram of the transmission grid system showing the status of transmission circuits and connections with substations and industrial plants.
    • In doing this, they communicate closely with power plant operators, energy traders, and local utilities to route energy from generating stations to customers.
    • Dispatchers anticipate changes in power needs caused by weather, such as increased demand for power on a hot day or outages during a thunderstorm.
    • They also react to changes in the structure of the grid due to transformer or transmission line failures and route current around affected areas. In substations, they operate and monitor equipment that increases or decreases voltage and they operate switchboard levers to control the flow of electricity in and out of the substations.
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Job Outlook
  • Generators continue to focus on cost cutting.
  • As older, less efficient plants are retired, they are being replaced with new plants that have higher capacities and require fewer workers.
  • Because the capacity of the new plants is higher, fewer are needed to produce the same amount of electricity.
  • Job opportunities are expected to be excellent for well-qualified applicants because of a large number of retirements in the electric power industry.
  • The emphasis on cost cutting among utilities led to hiring freezes.
  • While many individuals are showing interest in these high-paying jobs, prospects will be best for workers with strong technical and mechanical skills and an understanding of science and mathematics.
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Related Occupations
Other workers who monitor and operate plant and system equipment include Stationary engineers and boiler operators; Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators.

Other jobs working with electricity include Line installers and repairers; Electrical and electronic installers and repairers; Electricians.
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Required Degrees
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Physical Science
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This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.  
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