Career Center

Platte River Power Authority is a public power provider that has emerged as a leader in Colorado’s utility sector. Our staff works collaboratively and efficiently to safely deliver reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to our owner communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.

We share a sense of purpose and great pride in what we do and the value we provide to our communities, our region and the energy industry. 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.

SCADA Engineer

The SCADA engineer configures, maintains and supports Platte River’s SCADA/EMS infrastructure to ensure it's reliable, safe and secure operation. Provides end-user support to Platte River's power system operators, study engineers and other SCADA/EMS users. Maintains the SCADA/EMS system in a compliant manner and demonstrates compliance with applicable regulatory standards.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential functions of the job.

• Designs, configures, and maintains SCADA/EMS infrastructure in accordance with Platte River policies, regulatory standards, and industry best practices
• Documents evidence to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards such as infrastructure changes, compliance assessments, testing of significant changes, system configurations, access reviews, and equipment disposal
• Configures SCADA/EMS to communicate with field equipment including RTUs and meters
• Maintains and supports SCADA/EMS functionality including real-time databases, displays and one-lines, control sequences and scripts, and alarming
• Maintains and supports SCADA/EMS infrastructure including servers, map board, operator, training, historian and engineering workstations, and console monitors
• Configures and supports ICCP database and data exchange with the balancing authority, reliability coordinator, market, and neighboring utilities
• Maintain and support 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 infrastructure activities with power system operations staff
• Coordinates SCADA/EMS database and display activities with power system operations staff
• Coordinates with Engineering 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 on-call rotation and responds to operations, security or compliance incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Participates in internal and external audits as a subject matter expert
• Provides technical support to power system operations staff for maintained systems
• Directs or assists in recovery and incident response efforts
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong computer and networking skills
• Proficiency administrating, programming, and troubleshooting real-time SCADA/EMS or DCS systems and displays
• Proficiency troubleshooting software and associated server and workstation hardware including Windows operating systems
• Proficiency with access control/authorization, security event monitoring, configuration management, or the ability to gain experience within 12 months of employment
• Proficiency with reading and interpreting electrical one-line drawings or the ability to gain experience 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
• Effective written and verbal communication and evidence documentation skills
• An understanding of SCADA system communications or ability to gain knowledge within 12 months of employment
• Ability to work with people having varying technical skill levels
• Ability to manage projects and time effectively to meet strict regulatory deadlines
• Ability to follow processes and procedures
• Ability to respond to afterhours callouts
• Proficiency with OSIsoft Inc PI data historian product or ability to gain proficiency within 12 months of employment

Bi-weekly salary range for this position (placement DOQ): $3,731 - $5,130

(range, if annualized: $96,996 - $133,368)

This position will remain posted until filled.

Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefits offered for this position may include the following: health insurance options including PPO and high deductible with health savings account; telemedicine; benefit advocacy; dental and vision insurance; FSA; basic as well as voluntary life insurance and accidental death and disability; long-term disability insurance; paid holidays; paid time off; wellness program; in-house training opportunities; tuition reimbursement; and employee assistance program.

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

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering or equivalent

Preferred qualifications

• 3 years experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting SCADA/EMS or equivalent digital control systems (DCS)
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting DNP3 and ICCP protocol
• Experience implementing NERC CIP standards and participating in audits as a SME