| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Energy and Solar |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Substation Engineer |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 5 years in substation or plant operation |
Substation Operator job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Substation Operator
Department: Energy and Solar
Reports to: Substation Engineer
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Substation Operator runs a substation on shift, operating switchgear, monitoring equipment and carrying out safe switching to keep power flowing. They watch parameters, operate breakers and isolators, respond to trips, and log operations. The role reports to the Substation Engineer. A good substation operator carries out switching and isolation safely and correctly, responds properly to grid events, keeps the substation running within limits, and maintains accurate logs across every shift.
Key responsibilities
- Monitor substation equipment, loads and parameters through the shift.
- Operate breakers, isolators and switchgear for safe switching as instructed.
- Carry out isolation and earthing for maintenance under permit to work.
- Respond to trips and alarms and restore supply per procedure.
- Record readings, switching and events accurately in the operating log.
- Coordinate with the grid, plant and field staff on switching operations.
- Support protection and equipment checks with the substation engineer.
- Watch transformer and equipment temperatures, oil levels and cooling.
- Follow electrical safety rules strictly during all switching and isolation operations.
- Hand over the shift with a clear account of the substation status.
Requirements
- ITI or diploma in electrical
- Substation operation training
- Electrical safety certification is an advantage
- 1 to 5 years in substation or plant operation
KRAs and KPIs for a Substation Operator
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Safe switching | Switching and isolation carried out safely with no procedure violation |
| Trip response | Trips and alarms responded to correctly on every event |
| Availability | Substation kept available with operator caused outages below target |
| Logging | Operating logs and readings recorded accurately with no gaps |
| Safety | Zero electrical safety incident during operations in the year |
| Handover | Clear, complete shift handover given every shift |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Switchgear controls, Operating logs, Insulated safety gear, Communication radio, Protection panels.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Substation Operator, Substation Engineer, Shift In-Charge
Interview questions for a Substation Operator
- How do you carry out a safe switching operation on instruction?
- How do you isolate and earth equipment for maintenance?
- How do you respond to a transformer trip on your shift?
- What do you monitor on a transformer during operation?
- What do you record in the substation log?
- Tell me about a switching or trip event you handled.
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What does a substation operator do?
A substation operator runs a substation on shift, operating switchgear, monitoring equipment and carrying out safe switching to keep power flowing. They watch parameters, operate breakers and isolators, respond to trips, coordinate switching, and log operations. They carry out isolation and earthing safely and keep the substation running within limits across every shift.
What qualifications do you need to be a substation operator?
Most substation operators hold an ITI or diploma in electrical with substation operation training, and an electrical safety certification is an advantage. Employers look for skill in switching and isolation, trip and alarm response, equipment monitoring, permit to work discipline, and the alertness and safety awareness needed to operate high voltage equipment on shift.
What is the difference between a substation operator and engineer?
A substation operator runs the substation on shift, doing monitoring, switching and log keeping. A substation engineer is responsible for maintenance, protection testing, fault investigation and overall substation health, and usually supervises operators. The operator handles day to day operation, while the engineer owns the technical condition and reliability of the substation.