Supply, North Carolina
Mooreland, Oklahoma
Posted: 24-Jul-23
Location: aledo, Texas
Type: Full Time
Categories:
POSITION SUMMARY Under the oversight of the Director of Infrastructure & Cybersecurity, this position is responsible for the reliable, safe, and secure operation of The Tri-County Electric Cooperative's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System infrastructure through the administration, configuration, and maintenance of the system. This position will also provide end-user support to operators, engineers, and other SCADA users. Ensures the system remains compliant with Tri-County Electric Cooperative, regulatory and industry standards.
The Tri-County Electric Cooperative's SCADA systems and infrastructure include the following elements: substation controls, protective relaying, remote terminal units, intelligent electronic devices, meters, line equipment, distribution automation, and SCADA servers and workstations, and other software packages, but may include other systems as they evolve or become necessary.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Assigned with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Designs, configures and maintains SCADA infrastructure in accordance with Tri-County Electric Cooperative policies, regulatory standards and industry best practices.
- Collaborate in and provide recommendations for the system design, configuration, and installation of the Cooperative's SCADA Infrastructure.
- Configures SCADA systems to communicate with field equipment including remote terminal units, intelligent electronic devices, and meters.
- Maintains and supports SCADA infrastructure including operator, training and engineering workstations and application, web and historian servers.
- Maintain and support the distribution of real-time, near real-time and historical data to internal and external customers from SCADA, and other TCEC systems.
- Troubleshoot SCADA hardware, software, HMI, computers/workstations, programming, configuration, or other communication issues and engage appropriate support to get them fixed in a timely manner.
- Collaborate and coordinate installation of field devices with Engineering and Operations, including deploying configurations, testing and validation.
- Responsible for continuous system check and balance of the data validity and information gathered, stored, and displayed from the SCADA system.
- Coordinates SCADA infrastructure, database, and display activities with internal staff.
- Ensures recoverability of SCADA and continuity of operations through regular system backups, regular testing of failover routines and participation in other disaster recovery activities.
- Utilize analysis software tools to make recommendations regarding controls related system performance, maintenance, operational improvements, and upgrades.
- Create, reset, delete, and maintain user accounts in a Windows Active Directory environment.
- Assist other departments with downloading event data, reports, SOEs and SERs from protective relays and field device controls for further analysis.
- Partner with IT in applying Windows operating system updates, patches, upgrades and configuration changes for workstations and servers.
- Partner with IT in system administration, data backups, and proactive security measures of Windows workstations and servers.
- Assists in maintaining documentation regarding SCADA server & workstation configuration, operating procedures, compliance, and disaster recovery.
- Maintain and update SCADA, automation, and communications record drawings and documentation.
- Oversee and administer the MV-90 system; provide monthly readings for the C&I members and for reconciliation of the G&T Power Bill.
- Provide recommendations and technical solutions in interfacing of AMI communication systems, wireless radios, microwave technologies, SCADA devices, automated mapping systems, and distribution automation.
- Function as the subject matter expert (SME) on relay and control issues and provide technical support and training to other team members on the operation of the SCADA systems and software by retrieving data for use in decision making, outage management, and engineering studies.
STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE These duties reflect the cooperative's mission and purpose, and they are required of all employees:
- Work according to the safety rules and company policies, as adopted by TCEC and is responsible for own safety and reports all accidents in accordance with TCEC policies.
- Support the strategic goals of the organization in accordance with the Cooperative' Strategic Plan.
- Interact with all departments of the Cooperative as well as with members, the general public, other utility personnel, governmental agencies, and equipment vendors in a kind and courteous manner.
- Knowledge of NERC CIP/Reliability Standards and remain current on regulatory changes.
- Collaborate effectively and successfully with fellow employees to achieve department and company-wide goals and build a team-focused environment.
- Assist in the emergency restoration of facilities during storm or general outages.
- Regular and predictable attendance are essential functions of the position.
- Perform other duties within his or her capabilities as directed by his or her supervisors.
- Exhibits integrity and demonstrates ethical behavior in everyday business conduct.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS Education and/or formal training needed: Bachelor's degree in related field, directly related experience may substitute for education.
Experience needed: Five (5) years of experience with SCADA, computer or electronic technician, relay/control technician, or equivalent and minimum of two (2) years of directly related experience in electric utility industry. Experience configuring and troubleshooting DNP3 and Modbus protocols. Experience with Survalent SCADA software is preferred.
Knowledge, skill and abilities needed: Must possess a working knowledge of electronics and related communication equipment. Knowledge of the electric utility industry, including safety practices, is highly desirable. Must have knowledge in control and data communication systems application, operation, and maintenance. Must have possess SQL query writing capabilities and management of MS SQL server databases. Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) is required. Must have ability to implement work plans, make sound decisions from observations and carry out instructions. Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, as well as work in harmony with many different personality types. Must be able to work with very little supervision and be proactive in responsibilities. Must possess a strong ability to communicate in both verbal and written form. Must have legible handwriting. This is an office/field position which requires the employee to spend time both in the office and in the field in all types of weather. Lifting and moving of weights up to 75 pounds is infrequent but may be required. Must be able to work safely in proximity of energized substation equipment. Must have the ability to climb ladders and work at heights up to 40 feet.
Drug/Alcohol: A drug/alcohol test is administered to all job offer recipients.
Driving: Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License and operate a company non-DOT vehicle.
Mental Demands: This employee must be able to work well with the public, Cooperative members, and other TCEC employees. They need to be able to remember what was done and schedule and prioritize future work, stay alert even when the work is repetitious, and work well with detail. The employee must be able to learn new procedures and equipment and demonstrate flexibility in all areas. The job may occasionally require ingenuity, problem solving, analytic ability, auditory discrimination, writing ability and imagination. This job can be stressful at times; however, composure must be always maintained with members and co-workers.
Physical Demands: The employee must be capable of performing the Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- The SCADA Administrator spends approximately 70% of the day sitting at a desk or test bench and the remainder walking, bending, and stooping (percentages will vary dependent upon the work to be accomplished).
- Employee will be required to drive a vehicle, both two- and four-wheel drive, which requires awareness, special relationships, alertness, and physical dexterity.
- Will install, test, and maintain electronic equipment in the office and in the field, which requires balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, and reading of equipment. These duties may also expose the Administrator to energized low voltage (less than 600v) equipment and to a work environment which contains high voltage substations.
- May be required to carry equipment and materials that can weigh as much as 75 pounds.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED Assigned office equipment, copiers, personal computers, electronic and electric test equipment, meter testing apparatus and test boards, meter programming software and hardware, two-way radios and automobiles, pickups, routers, collectors, digital volt/ohm meter, cable splicing and terminating tools, various hand tools, and TCEC equipment.
WORKING CONDITIONS The SCADA Administrator spends about 70% of their time indoors or in a vehicle. The remainder of the time is spent outdoors in all kinds of weather. During startup of a new system the Administrator will spend approximately 90% of their time outdoors at equipment locations installing the required equipment. The employee must be able to tolerate direct sun, cold winds and other types of inclement weather. The noise level is estimated to be 50-90 decibels.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
