Energy Management System Technical Administrator

Full Job Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served.

Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound.

Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

System Reliability, transit electrification, and grid modernization initiatives within City Light require an expanding footprint of Operational Technology (OT) Systems and qualified personnel to support them.

This position offers an opportunity to engage with a diverse base of technologies to solve problems and design systems that steer City Light towards its Energy Future.

The position of Energy Management Systems Technical Administrator will engage in day-to-day operations and maintenance of the SCL Energy Management System (EMS), as well as participate in project work to implement strategic computer technologies that will help modernize the SCL power grid operations with enhanced intelligence, automation, and decision making.

This position will report to the Supervisor of Energy Delivery Systems of the Power System Automation (PSA) Unit in the System Operations Center.

Requirements

The PSA Energy Delivery Technology Application team provides technical application and infrastructure support for the SCL Energy Management System (EMS) and supporting technology.

The EMS is a highly available, secure computer system that allows for remote monitoring and control of SCL power generation, transmission, and distributions systems.

The candidate will frequently collaborate with members of the greater PSA team, System Operations, Engineers, and Communications Electricians to solve system issues and complete project work.

This position will engage with the following technologies and protocols:

• OSII Monarch SCADA/EMS/AGC
• ICCP
• RTU Communication protocols: DNP3 Telegyr 8979, Modbus
• EIDE
• C Programming Language
• Linux, CLI
• OSISoft PI
• PostgreSQL and Oracle database management systems
• SEL RTAC
• OSII Sentinel
• Future Seattle Electrification Strategy, including: AMI, Micro-Grid, Renewables, Storage, Advanced Distribution Management Systems, and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems

The job responsibilities outlined below are aligned with the traditional system development life cycle procedures and workflow for asset management, information protection, change management, cyber security protection and NERC CIP standards.

1. Contribute to the development of high-quality design standards and support processes for:
   • High availability, redundancy and operational continuity.
   • Quality assurance to ensure that as-built changes meet design standards.
   • Ensuring compliance with NERC CIP regulatory standards.
2. Interface with OT infrastructure stakeholders, users, and partner teams to ensure:
   • Monitoring, logging, notifying and reporting on reliable system operations and problem resolution.
   • Preparation and execution of test procedures in accordance with change management processes.
   • Maintaining system documentation, performance metrics and reports.
   • Maintaining compliance with NERC CIP regulatory standards.
   • Liaison with other operational technology providers (e.g. power plants, substations, data network communications, regulatory compliance, Seattle IT, industry vendors and consultants).
3. Contribute to the development and deployment of system changes that include:
   • OT infrastructure, operating system, and application patches and upgrades.
   • Configure, test and deployment to servers and workstations.
   • Hardware, software and data recovery
   • System interfaces, performance and reports with vendor supported software.
4. Participate in 24x7 call-out support rotation.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Computer Science, or a closely related field, or a combination of education and relevant work experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work.

Experience:

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience working in an Energy Management System, Operational Technology, or SCADA environment, preferably in an electric utility.

Recent college graduates who have a career interest in electric utility operation and have examples of completing automation type projects using Linux based platforms, microcontrollers, communication protocols, telemetry, databases, or data visualization will also be considered.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

Current Washington State driver's license. You must hold a current valid state issued driver’s license from any US state to be verified prior to start date. Out of state license holders will be required to obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

Technical Knowledge Requirements:

• General understanding of IT applications, infrastructure and integration supporting SCADA/EMS systems.
• Technical experience in Linux and Windows environments.
• Command line proficiency and general troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to plan, manage and execute multiple tasks and projects within defined timelines.
• Strong understanding of Operational Technology trends, risks and security methods.
• Strong understanding of cyber security best practices for electric utilities.
• Excellent analytical ability, problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting abilities.

Experience with:

• Programming, scripting, workflow, and automation technologies.
• C, Python, SQL, PowerShell, and web technologies.
• Creating reports from large amounts of data.
• NERC CIP or other cyber security regulatory compliance.
• Electric utility SCADA or other utility/industrial control systems.
• High availability 24x7 computing environments.
• IT Infrastructure with network, servers and workstations.
• Relational databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase, etc.).
• Operational technology communications networks.
• Communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, Modbus, LG8979, SDI12, IEC60870).
• RTU / SCADA equipment vendors (e.g., SEL RTAC RTU).
• Application of cyber security and compliance best practices for OT/SCADA systems.
• Coordination of activities that impact engineering, field crews and operations personnel.

Preference will be given for applicants who possess the Desired Qualifications:

• Requirement/design specifications, testing deployment, and incident documentation to mentor and share technical knowledge.
• Skills related to change management in mission-critical environments.
• Organization and planning skills to manage competing priorities.
• Personal initiative to deliver high-quality and continuous improvement results.
• Flexibility to work independently or in teams that include users, peers, vendor and consultant resources.
• Knowledge of network and operating system hardening techniques.
• Knowledge of basic cyber operations activity concepts (e.g., footprinting, scanning and enumeration, penetration testing, white/black listing, etc.).
• Willingness to learn and accept responsibility, comply with safety rules and regulations, work efficiently, effectively and independently.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced government technology environment; to work as a productive member of a professional team, as well as initiative to be a self-starter; ability to work under pressure, multi-task and rapidly changing priorities.
• Background in operational technology for the power grid.
• Electric utility experience is strongly preferred.

Emergency Response Commitment:

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies.

Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations.

Your participation is vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without?notice.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $47.94 to $71.91 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check.

The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3.

A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.