Mindaugas

ESO Dispatcher Mindaugas: A Career for Those Who Thrive on Speed, Responsibility, and Unexpected Challenges

“Explaining what a dispatcher actually does isn’t easy,” says Mindaugas Šeškauskas. “The work of an ESO network control dispatcher is invisible from the outside. Many people think it’s just like working in a Contact Center, answering calls and passing along information. But in reality – it’s something completely different.”

Mindaugas joined the ESO Network Control team a year and a half ago. After completing intensive training and examinations, he began working independently last December. Today, he is responsible for the Kaunas region, and on weekends – also for Jurbarkas.

Dispatcher Training: Like a Second University

Mindaugas holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Kaunas University of Technology. But as he points out, university knowledge alone was not enough to fully prepare for the reality of dispatcher work.

A dispatcher’s role requires far more than technical expertise. It demands the ability to react quickly to unexpected situations, coordinate teams, and make decisions that directly affect public safety and the uninterrupted supply of electricity.

“Your decisions determine whether thousands of people will have electricity, whether a repair crew will respond in time. In this job, every mistake can come at a high cost – both for people and for equipment,” he explains, stressing that safety always comes first.

Teamwork and Humanity

According to Mindaugas, dispatching is constant teamwork. He works closely with field crews, substation engineers, and, in critical cases, with emergency services such as the fire department, police, or national emergency center.

Trust and empathy are vital. “Colleagues are often exhausted, yet still expected to engage fully. When you know a crew has been working through the night but still has to head out again, you realize it’s not just about getting the job done. You need to speak calmly, understand, and motivate,” he shares.

The Everyday Reality: Expect the Unexpected

For a dispatcher, few shifts go exactly as planned. From troubleshooting outages to clearing fallen trees from power lines – or even dealing with a cow near a substation that managed to break an earthing switch – no two days are alike.

And for Mindaugas, that’s what makes the work rewarding. “The more action, the more interesting it gets. Those moments are when you really feel proud of what you do,” he says.

His workplace is equally impressive: six monitors connected to his desk show network schematics, event maps, control systems – and of course, the ever-busy phone line.

What It Takes to Be a Dispatcher

What qualities are needed for this role? According to Mindaugas, it’s about not being afraid of responsibility, being ready to step out of your comfort zone, staying calm under pressure, and trusting yourself even in uncertain situations. “For me, this is a dream job,” he concludes. “Because so much depends on you.”

Watch the full story about Mindaugas’ experience as a dispatcher here:
https://tinyurl.com/2s4529n6