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SCADA Engineer

Fort Collins, CO, USA Req #67
Monday, January 9, 2023
Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers. 
 
At Platte River, we share a sense of purpose and pride in the value we add to our communities, our region and the energy industry. We rely on our staff to sustain our leadership role in the region and to help us work toward our goal to achieve a 100% noncarbon energy mix within the next decade. To accomplish this, we offer competitive pay and benefits, state-of-the-art workplaces at both headquarters and the Rawhide Energy Station, and the following unique benefits: 
  • Onsite, fully-equipped gym facilities 
  • Fleet cars for use by staff for local business travel 
  • Employee rewards, health and financial wellness programs 
  • Volunteer days and opportunities to participate in community events 
  • Culture of respect, commitment and camaraderie  
If you’re searching for a collaborative working environment within a mid-sized organization that values innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and provides opportunities to make a difference, consider joining the Platte River team. 

Job summary
The SCADA engineer is responsible for configuring, maintaining, and supporting Platte River’s SCADA/EMS infrastructure to ensure it's reliable, safe, and secure operation.  This individual provides end-user support to power system operators, study engineers and other SCADA/EMS users. The position also maintains the SCADA/EMS systems in a compliant manner that demonstrates compliance with applicable regulatory standards.

 

Essential duties and responsibilities

  • Models the mission, vision, values, and culture of the organization
  • Designs, configures, and maintains SCADA/EMS infrastructure in accordance with policies, regulatory standards, and industry best practices
  • Documents operating procedures to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards such as workflow plans, infrastructure changes, compliance assessments, testing of significant changes, system configurations, access reviews, and equipment disposal
  • Configures SCADA/EMS to communicate with field equipment including remote terminal unit (RTUs) and meters
  • Maintains and supports SCADA/EMS functionality including real-time databases, displays and one-lines, control sequences and scripts, and alarming
  • Configures and supports ICCP database and data exchange with the balancing authority, reliability coordinator, market, and neighboring utilities
  • Maintains and supports the distribution of near real-time data to internal and external customers and markets
  • Programs, maintains, and supports the data historian infrastructure
  • Coordinates SCADA/EMS database and display activities with the power system operations staff

Other duties

  • Coordinates with Engineering team on transmission system changes
  • Ensures recoverability of SCADA/EMS and continuity of operations through regular system backups and regular testing of the backup control center's functionality
  • Participates in an on-call rotation and responds to operations, security, or compliance incidents
  • Serves as subject matters expert and participates in internal and external audits
  • Provides system technical support to power system operations staff
  • Directs or assists in troubleshooting efforts during recovery and incident response
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

The following are required:

  • Proficiency administrating, programming, and troubleshooting real-time SCADA/EMS or DCS systems and displays
  • Proficiency troubleshooting SCADA/EMS software
  • Proficiency with reading and interpreting electrical one-line drawings or the ability to gain experience within 12 months of employment
  • Proficiency with OSIsoft Inc PI data historian product or ability to gain proficiency within 12 months of employment
  • Knowledge of bulk electric system concepts including equipment and units of measure or the ability to gain knowledge within 12 months of employment
  • Knowledge of Power System Operations concepts, processes and procedures or the ability to gain knowledge within 12 months of employment
  • Thorough understanding of NERC CIP standards or ability to gain knowledge within 12 months of employment
  • An understanding of SCADA system communications or ability to gain knowledge within 12 months of employment
  • Strong computer and networking skills
  • Effective written and verbal communication and evidence documentation skills
  • Ability to work with people having varying technical skill levels
  • Ability to manage projects and time effectively to meet strict regulatory deadliness
  • Ability to serve an on-call rotation and respond to afterhours callouts

The following are preferred:

  • Experience configuring and troubleshooting DNP3 and ICCP protocol
  • Experience implementing NERC CIP standards and participating in audits as a subject matter expert (SME)


Qualifications
Education and licenses

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, computer engineering, engineering, or related field
  • Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy

Required work experience

  • Three years of experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting SCADA/EMS or equivalent digital control systems (DCS)

Physical demands

  • Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed and minimal.

Hazards

  • Minimal exposure to hazards are typically found in general office environment where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident

Work Environment

  • Exposure to routine office noise and equipment


Bi-weekly salary range for position: $3,991.77 - $5,488.62 (placement DOQ)

(range if annualized: $103,786 - $142,704)


Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefits offered for this position may include the following:

  • Health insurance options including a PPO and high deductible health savings account with prescription drug coverage 
  • Telemedicine 
  • Benefit advocacy 
  • Dental insurance 
  • Vision insurance 
  • Flexible spending plan 
  • Basic life insurance 
  • Basic accidental death and disability 
  • Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options (voluntary) 
  • Accidental death and disability insurance (voluntary) 
  • Long-term disability insurance 
  • Retirement plans 401a defined contribution plan 457b deferred compensation plan 
  • Paid holidays (12 annually) 
  • Paid time off: personal and sick leave 
  • Wellness program 
  • In-house training opportunities 
  • Tuition reimbursement 
  • Employee assistance program 

For additional information, please see our website careers page at:  https://www.prpa.org/careers/benefits/ 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. 

Platte River endeavors to make our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please call us at 970-229-5323 or email recruiting@prpa.org. 

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Platte River cannot provide employment to applicants who will require sponsorship now or in the future (i.e. H1B visa, OPT status).

Other details

  • Pay Type Salary
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