Job DescriptionResponsible for supporting, designing, and implementing control system and technology solutions in support of Tri-State operations. Ensures operational stability, security, and efficiency. Responsible for implementing and maintaining a supportive convergence of Information Technology, Operational Technology, and Generation policies and technologies.
Base location: Headquarters-Westminster, CO, Brush Field Facility-Brush, CO or J.M. Shafer Station-Fort Lupton, CO.
Note: There is one position available, and this position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: Control Systems Specialist I; job grade 7; Control Systems Specialist II, job grade 8; Control Systems Specialist III; job grade 9 or Senior Control Systems Specialist; job grade 10. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.
Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes : Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.
Senior Control Systems SpecialistHiring Salary Range: $109,000-$139,000
Control Systems Specialist IIIHiring Salary Range: $98,000-$124,000
Control Systems Specialist IIHiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000
Control Systems Specialist IHiring Salary Range: $80,000-$99,000
Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.
Responsibilities• Support Generation Technology software tools, including OSIsoft/Aveva Pi data historian, and EtaPro thermal performance suite.
• Support Generation Control Systems with expert knowledge of; Emerson Ovation, GE MarkVIe, Programmable Logic Controllers, Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems, various equipment monitoring systems (system 1, transformer monitoring, SEL Relays, etc.).
• Assist in developing operational data reports and data flows to business intelligence software (PowerBI/Tableau) (data lake).
• Conduct software and control system modifications and upgrades, including control and graphical enhancements. Provide global process control guidance and enforcement.
• Provide oversight of the Management of Change process with respect to controls and cybersecurity.
• Verify data flows daily, investigating and troubleshooting any issues.
• Ensure operational data integrity as a front-line responder to loss of data flow.
• Assist in providing first-line support to facilities that do not currently have dedicated controls and technological support.
• Provide assistance for FERC and NERC compliance at Generation Facilities. Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to the functional area, including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety. Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.
• Help to define future standards for an efficient, stable, usable, and secure architecture.
• Support project planning and implementations, leveraging vendors, Engineering and Construction department, and IT resources.
• Coordinate instrumentation, controls, and electrical related work activities with Generation Facilities staff.
• Help inform internal project managers of standard practices, standard OT network architecture, and preferred software branding to standardize the OT footprint across all TSGT assets.
• Define, document, and enforce server and operational standards for implementation of new projects. Monitor and maintain policies for Distributed Control System (DCS) access, including foreign devices and remote access.
• Maintain security of control system infrastructure by establishing and enforcing policies.
• Troubleshoot control system problems, including DCS networking, sensor networking and Control logic, collaborating with administration personnel on changes.
• Coordinate with Generation facility supervision to fully support scheduled equipment maintenance outages in any needed capacity. (i.e., logic reviews, FAT, SAT, drawing and turnover packages, etc.)
• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures and attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to functional area.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.
OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform other related duties as assigned
SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES:
• Operational stability: Understanding operational architecture and policies driving up-time and minimal operational costs.
• Cohesive solution: ability to work with disparate business and technical needs, ensuring all solutions consider the requirements of various stakeholders.
• Time management: the ability to prioritize and schedule projects and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with company values.
• Conduct problem analysis and problem resolution at both strategic and functional levels.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player. Recognizes how decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
QualificationsEducation and Training
- Bachelor's Degree or associate's degree in Electronics, Information Technology, data science, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
- Safety first: obey all Tri-State safety regulations, and best practices bearing in mind that connected OT systems, if misconfigured, or shut down can result in personal injury, loss of generation facility hardware, and possible loss of revenue. It may be required to work near medium and high voltages. It may be required to work around exposed live electrical apparatus. It may be required to wear OSHA approved FR clothing and safety toe shoes.
- Ability to recognize and solve complex problems.
- Ability to read/interpret blueprints, schematics, Loop drawings, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID).
- Ability to interpret electrical engineering drawings and trace electric circuitry.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, and Database tools.
- Familiarity with blueprints, schematics, Loop drawings, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID).
- Understanding of industrial networking practices.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to mentor and teach skills necessary for maintenance of equipment after installation.
- Knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking.
- Working knowledge of virtualization technologies such as Citrix, VMWare or Microsoft.
Experience:
- Eight (8) years' progressive experience with operational technology solutions or power plant experience with a focus on technology.
- Experience with implementing or replacing distributed control systems
- Experience with client/server hardware and software troubleshooting.
- Experience with Windows, Linux computers and system administration.
- Familiarity with network systems (switching, routing, firewalls) in a client-facing support role.
- Familiarity with Linux and Windows server/desktop.
- Experience using or maintaining large, distributed control systems, programmable logic controllers, or intelligent electronic devices
- Experience with GE, Allen Bradley PLCs, and Modbus and OPC protocols.
Other:
- Willingness to travel as required (must possess a valid driver's license) to visit sites and attend training sessions, conferences and meetings off site.
- Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all the essential functions of the position.
DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in computer science, IT or related discipline
- Education, formal training, and experience in Industrial Control Systems or DCS implementation
- Experience with real-time operational data historian (Pi) administration and configuration.
- Working knowledge of electrical power generation
- Cyber security formal certification
- Experience with NAS and SAN technology products.
- Proficiency and experience creating reports/graphics/displays for industrial use
- Experience with Microsoft Server Administration; MSCE highly desired.
- Experience in client/server domain administration.
- Experience in process control/critical systems/real time database environments and supporting technologies.
- Scripting experience with SQL, vbscript, PowerShell.
- Project management experience.
Note: The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior Control Systems Specialist. Those with less experience will be hired at the I, II or III job grade level.
