Energy Management Systems Engineer

Job Summary

The Energy Management Systems (EMS) Engineer is responsible for being the system administrator for the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) and North Carolina Municipal Power Agency 1 (NCMPA1) EMS, ensuring the EMS telemetry and SCADA systems are continuously operational in the real-time environment with minimal interruption and accurate data, ensuring adequate cyber security measures are taken to protect the EMS system, and being part of the 24/7 on-call team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for supporting the SCADA/Telemetry System and its associated systems.  This includes taking action, as required, to identify and correct any problems that arise with the SCADA/telemetry, LM, distributed generation monitoring and control or load forecasting systems.  The incumbent will solve system problems and initiate system enhancements, providing general assistance to others to ensure the smooth operation of all NCMPA1 and NCEMPA energy management systems.
• Responsible for ensuring adequate cyber security measures are in place to prevent unauthorized access and operation of systems.  This includes implementing applications that will enhance meeting NERC/SERC requirements as applicable.
• Performs technical support and implementation for hardware and software systems associated with the SCADA/Telemetry systems along with recommending new or improved enhancements to the systems. Responsible for ensuring that system and equipment hardware and software changes and upgrades are performed with minimal impacts to operations.
• Acts as the subject matter expert on integration to the SCADA/telemetry systems. Responsible to ensure that NCMPA1 and NCEMPA field equipment interface and information in the SCADA/telemetry system is accurate and reliable at all times notifying field personnel when information is incorrect.
• Participates in the 24/7 on-call team. Duties associated with on-call responsibilities include monitoring and control of distributed generation, monitoring, management and repair of the NCMPA1 and NCEMPA control and communications systems (control systems, telemetry, SCADA, load management, distributed generation and associated communication systems) as required, on a 24/7  “on-call basis” including early morning, nights, weekends and holidays, as necessary, in response to system conditions, operator need or equipment failure plus must be able to make independent and timely decisions that directly affect power supply costs and customer service.
• Serves as the Primary System Administrator who is responsible for providing systems support as necessary for the 24/7 On-Call Team.  The incumbent shall troubleshoot and resolve any issues escalated by the On-Call Team.  Availability in early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays as necessary in response to system conditions, operator need or equipment failure.  This duty will rotate with the Backup System Administrator/Energy Systems Engineer.
• Provides technical support in the programming, operation and maintenance of load forecasting and weather data systems in order to provide data necessary for load management recommendations.
• Responsible for the maintenance of system databases that integrate into the SCADA/Telemetry, Load Management, Power Marketing, Corporate and Distributed Generation systems as required.  This includes ensuring that all data and databases are performing to specifications and meeting regulatory and accounting requirements.
• Assists with providing installation, operation, programming and engineering technical support and maintenance of SCADA/Telemetry system and the associated communications network to provide load and generation data for the Resource Manager, Power Marketing, Duke Energy, Day Ahead Trading Area, Corporate and the Agency Participants.
• Responsible for the maintenance of system spreadsheets that document distributed generation, load management and telemetry operations.
• Assists with providing all necessary operation and engineering support for host and city sites to provide SCADA/telemetry monitoring of participants’ and system loads.
• Provides input for the annual budget and business plan.
• Maintains systems necessary for backup/restore functions to assure business continuity including the ability to provide restore/recovery capability.
• As needed, trains staff and city personnel on the various systems.

Job Requirements

• B.S. Degree in electrical engineering and/or Computer Science
• Three to five years of progressively responsible electric utility experience or an appropriate combination of education and experience.
• An extensive background in cybersecurity including knowledge of NIST standards, utility power supply, demand side management, distribution/transmission, and metering.
• Extensive knowledge of current and emerging technologies, as well as experience, in the following:
  • SCADA systems
  • Computer operating systems
  • Voice/Data communications networks (including radio telephone, and cable) and protocols
  • LAN/WAN networks
  • Relational databases
• Willingness to accept responsibility, have a personality that allows him/her to work well with others, and be capable of working on his/her own initiative with a minimum of supervision in high stress situations.
• The ability to recognize problem areas and be capable of providing alternative solutions.
• The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in written and verbal form, with all levels of management and outside sources.
• A high level of reliability, independent decision-making, and personal initiative to achieve the goals of this position.

We offer challenging and rewarding careers in a family-friendly culture, a competitive compensation, benefits, and rewards package, as well as career development opportunities. ElectriCities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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