Application Guide
How to Apply for Dispatch Operations Intern
at Voltus
🏢 About Voltus
Voltus is at the forefront of the energy transition, connecting distributed energy resources like batteries and solar to the grid to optimize flexibility and combat climate change. Their focus on demand response and real-time dispatch makes them a fast-paced, mission-driven company where interns own real responsibilities.
About This Role
As a Dispatch Operations Intern, you'll be in the middle of live dispatch events, activating customer resources during grid emergencies. You'll own tactical tasks like coaching customers and monitoring performance, while also contributing to strategic projects to improve dispatch operations.
💡 A Day in the Life
You start your shift by checking the grid status and any pending dispatches. During a live event, you're on the phone and text with customers, coaching them to curtail load, while monitoring real-time data to flag underperformers. Between events, you analyze past performance data to identify trends and improve future dispatch strategies.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Voltus Is Looking For
- Calm under pressure: Able to think clearly and act quickly during live grid emergencies, making split-second decisions.
- Strong communicator: Comfortable on the phone and via text, delivering clear, actionable guidance to customers in high-stress situations.
- Detail-oriented: Monitors real-time data and flags underperformance accurately, ensuring dispatch events are successful.
- Eager to learn: Passionate about energy markets and demand response, with a desire to become a subject matter expert.
📝 Tips for Applying to Voltus
Highlight any experience with real-time operations, such as call centers, trading floors, or emergency response roles, to show you can handle live events.
Mention specific knowledge of North American grid operators (e.g., PJM, ISO-NE, MISO) or demand response programs in your cover letter.
Quantify your ability to multitask under pressure, e.g., 'Managed 50+ inbound calls during a peak event.'
Show you understand Voltus's mission by referencing their focus on DERs and grid flexibility in your application.
Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'dispatch,' 'curtailment,' and 'customer coaching.'
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your ability to stay composed and effective during high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.', 'Demonstrate your interest in energy markets and demand response, referencing specific programs or regions.', 'Highlight your customer-facing skills, especially coaching or guiding customers to achieve a goal.', "Show you're a team player who can also take ownership of tactical responsibilities during live events."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read about Voltus's key demand response programs and the grid operators they work with (e.g., PJM, CAISO).
- → Understand the basics of how demand response events are called and settled (e.g., baseline calculations).
- → Check Voltus's recent news or blog posts to see their impact and growth in the industry.
- → Learn about the types of distributed energy resources (DERs) Voltus aggregates (e.g., batteries, generators).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your ability to work under pressure – provide concrete examples.
- Focusing only on strategic aspects without showing willingness to do tactical, hands-on work during live events.
- Not demonstrating any knowledge of the energy industry or demand response – do your research.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!