Description

Position 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.

Seattle City Light is currently investing in power grid modernization with multiple Operational Technology (OT) computer system projects for power grid management and control that address substation, distribution and power plant facility operations and automation. The SCADA/EMS platform is the fundamental component to successful grid modernization.

The Seattle City Light Power Systems Automation (PSA) team is seeking an experienced, mission-driven OT Systems Integrator to support and modernize the applications that power the utility's 24x7 grid operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring reliable energy delivery across the city. You will serve as a technical expert supporting day to day operations and various projects involving the Energy Management System EMS). This position will report to the IT Manager for the Power System Automation (PSA) Unit in the System Operations Center.

Job Responsibilities

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 and 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 emergent issues and complete project work.

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.

What You Will Do

• Support Core Grid Infrastructure: Ensure the health, reliability, and security of SCL's Energy Management System (EMS)
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work together with system operators, power system engineers, and field crews to troubleshoot real time issues and deliver grid modernization projects.
• Manage Critical System Lifecycles: Safely deploy software changes, maintain system documentation, and ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations.
• Maintain High Availability: Diagnose technical incidents, coordinate with vendors, and participate in a 24/7 emergency support rotation to protect grid reliability.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates with a combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in an Energy Management System, Operational Technology, or SCADA environment, preferably in an electric utility.

Core Technical Aptitude:

• Strong understanding of fundamentals of SCADA systems and industrial communication protocols
• General comfort navigating command line operating systems and working with databases.

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

• 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
• Excellent troubleshooting abilities
• A proficiency in programming, scripting, workflow, and automation technologies
  • C, Python, SQL, Powershell, and web technologies.
  • Experience creating reports from large amounts of data
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, writing, communications, and briefing skills
  • 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
• Perform all work in a safe manner appropriate to the work environment.

Experience with any of the technologies listed in the Job Responsibilities section above. Also, be prepared to share your experience with:

1. Electric utility SCADA or other utility/industrial control systems
2. High availability 24x7 computing environments
3. Cyber Security o NERC Reliability/CIP Standards
4. IT Infrastructure with network, servers and workstations
5. Relational Database with PostgresQL, Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase or others
6. Communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, Modbus, LG8979, SDI12, IEC60870)
7. RTU / SCADA equipment vendors (e.g., SEL RTAC RTU)

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 .

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.

Additional Information

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.

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The full salary range for this position is $62.59 to $93.90 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

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