The Substation and Controls section of the Electric Division is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the City's substations and load management generators. The section is supervised by Kinston Public Services' Electric Engineer.

Substations and Controls section employees monitor and perform maintenance on substations and load management generators, perform energy audits for customers, receive and respond to inquiries, investigate customer complaints and power quality problems. They also troubleshoot problems dealing with generators, substations, distribution lines, electric meters, and the SCADA system.

Duties of the Electric Engineer include, but are not limited to, planning and designing electrical distribution and transmission system, developing system projections, troubleshooting engineering problems, maintaining and programming the electric SCADA system, preparing reports, evaluating contractor proposals, forecasting financial viability of potential projects, and developing new electrical rates. The position also assists in the preparation of departmental operating and capital budgets.