Senior Substations Operations Technician

Senior Substation Operations Technician (Switching Operator) – Full Time – SMD Depot

The Senior Operations Technician is accountable for the technical leadership and coordination, at a high level, of the technical operations of the Western Power Network and high-end Distribution network to ensure the safety operation of the network, minimisation of significant fines the business could attract by the network not being managed correctly and the significant negative attention that it could receive from the media and our owner.

Your Role in Action

• Plan for work in advance and adapt plan when resources are pulled away for other business priorities or system conditions change.
• Where necessary maintain the integrity of the network with minimal loss of supply. Ensure prompt attendance to faults, isolating the system and taking steps to restore supplies and manage public access as appropriate to the fault type.
• Undertake tactical switching operations tasks to facilitate maximum work effort through consultation and negotiation with requesting groups.
• Providing technical advice on switching operations and commissioning of new plant (including inspections, receiving handovers and inputting on commissioning programs).
• Provide a safe and structured upskilling of this position to the responsibilities and activities required at the Specialist A level.
• Prepare technical reports, process design recommendations and procedures. 
• Investigating, evaluate, report and recommend in relation to new technologies, system faults, maintenance and secondary services on networks facilities.
• Ensure feedback to stakeholders to keep them informed particularly if job not going to plan where appropriate.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Possess Cert III (ESI Distribution / Transmission Overhead / Power Systems Distribution Cable Jointing) and/or Electrical Trade Certificate, and/or Current WA Electrical Workers License endorsed for Electrical Fitting
• Current Electrical Workers License – essential
• A Certificate as a Workplace Assessor
• A minimum of 5 + years advanced technical experience within a particular discipline, preferably in the Networks business.
• Hold all appropriate industry licences or certificates of competency especially substation inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair
• Specialist advanced experience in the following;
  • Technical knowledge of network switching & outage techniques and practices
  • Knowledge of safety policies and procedures, particularly operating field practices and procedures applying to the power system
  • Knowledge of network construction, maintenance and operation’s field practices and procedures
• Conceptual knowledge of other disciplines associated with network design, including protection, SCADA and communications
• Some knowledge of resource and financial management practices and procedures.

(Highly desirable)

• All Western Power Switching Levels including 0(eNAR)
• Western Power Switching Levels LOU, HOU, ZS, TL, TS
• Secondary Access Authorisation
• Western Power Switching Levels including Level 0(eNAR)

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. You will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including: 

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.   
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements.  
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year.  
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership.  
• An award-winning employee recognition and benefits programme.  
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.    
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year. 
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists. 
• On-site café available for convenient meals and refreshments throughout the day. 
• 22 weeks paid parental leave and 5 days of First Nations cultural leave to support family and cultural connections. 

Applications close on 18 September 2026.

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As a WORK180-endorsed employer for women, we are proud of our commitment to inclusion. You can learn more about this through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.  

Learn more about Western Power here: About (westernpower.com.au) 

Find out how we’re building A Network for Life: A network for life (westernpower.com.au)