Summary
Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.
Senior System Operations Instructor - Distribution Operations Center
This role plays a critical part in keeping Arizona's energy system safe and reliable. As a senior instructor for Distribution Operations, you prepare operators to manage the distribution grid with confidence, accuracy, and care. By designing and delivering high‑quality training, you help ensure employees are ready for certification, daily operations, and evolving system needs—supporting APS's mission to serve communities reliably today while building a more sustainable energy future.
What Your Day Would Be Like
- Design and update training programs that prepare operators to safely manage the distribution grid.
- Translate real operational needs into clear, effective learning and evaluation materials.
- Deliver technical instruction that supports operator certification and day‑to‑day system operations.
- Partner with operations leaders and subject‑matter experts to keep training aligned with current grid practices.
- Support continuous learning for experienced operators through refresher and advanced training.
- Help strengthen operational excellence by building confidence and capability across the workforce.
Who We're Looking For
- Experience analyzing operational work and translating it into effective technical training.
- Strong instructional skills, with the ability to explain complex system operations clearly.
- Knowledge of distribution grid operations or closely related utility operations environments.
- Ability to apply a structured, disciplined approach to training development and evaluation.
- Collaborative mindset and commitment to safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.
- Passion for developing others and contributing to long‑term workforce readiness.
- Your previous work experience as an operator, dispatcher or trainer for a distribution center or desk.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in an electrical engineering or training discipline AND five (5) years technical training or operations experience.
- In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, a combination of college coursework and experience totaling nine (9) years in related technical electric utility operating experience (e.g., electrical, generator) or grid operations training experience or system operating experience in a distribution control center or field crew experience.
Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications
- Technical training experience including three (3) years’ experience using the systematic approach to training process and at least two (2) years’ experience presenting electrical or operations training, including simulation scenarios.
- Excellent organizational skills with an ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Background working as an operator in a Distribution Operations Center or Distribution Center or background as a Distribution Dispatcher.
- Demonstrated decision‑making ability in a production deadline‑driven environment.
- Demonstrated ability to professionally interact with diverse groups on a wide range of technical matters.
- Demonstrated ability to stay current with changing technology and apparatus.
- Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in PC software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel occasionally to statewide APS locations.
Major Accountabilities
- Develops and maintains training programs for APS DOC operators that are in compliance with regional and national standards.
- Enhances the knowledge and skills of personnel in operations job classifications.
- Creates and administers job, and task analysis for operations job classifications.
- Designs and develops initial training and continuing education for operations job classifications, using a variety of instructional media.
- Presents training in the classroom, on‑the‑job, and simulator settings.
- Conducts evaluations of student performance, training materials, and training effectiveness, including upkeep of training database and commitment tracking.
- Develops and delivers simulation‑based training to support both initial and continuing distribution operations training.
- Oversees training and support vendors to ensure that they meet APS training requirements.
- Works with operations leaders to define and address personnel knowledge and skill gaps.
- Maximizes training resource utilization through technology, integration, and resource sharing.
- Prepares training schedules that integrate department needs with training resources.
- Promotes training/line partnership by developing professional rapport with all customers.
- Maintains instructional/technical proficiency by attending relevant continuing education.
Hybrid
Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).
In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in‑person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in‑person at an APS or other (non‑home office) location.
- Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners‑based employees).
- Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set‑up.
- Role types are subject to change based on business need.