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Job Posting - EMS SCADA Model Engineer/Analyst
Department Summary
The EMS SCADA Model Engineer/Analyst is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Energy Management System. This position develops/maintains real-time advanced applications, databases, and displays used by System Control and Merchant Operations to monitor and control the grid. Examples include State Estimation, Contingency Analysis, Automatic Generation Control, and the Network Model.
The position will be filled based upon qualifications and work experience and will have the following support responsibilities, Electric SCADA, Automatic Generation Control, Network Model, State Estimation, MISO model updates, MISO market interfaces, and coordination of real-time information exchanged with the MISO, METC, and DTE. The preferred candidate would have a bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science, have a strong background in utility operations, familiarity with SCADA, and be proficient in using programming and scripting languages such as VB/VBA, C/C++/C#, PowerShell, Perl, Python, and T-SQL.
The EMS SCADA Model Engineer/Analyst applies an intensive and diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments in related fields; makes decisions independently on engineering problems and methods; and represents the organization in meetings to resolve important questions. Requires the use of advanced techniques and the modification and extension of theories, precepts and practices of his/her field and related sciences and disciplines.
This position reports to the EMS Applications Supervisor in the Grid Applications department located at Parnall East location of Consumers Energy in Jackson, MI and will require completion of a personal risk assessment, NERC CIP training, and FERC SOC training.
Job Description/Responsibilities
- Support and maintain the Network Model.
- Support and maintain the State Estimator (SE).
- Support and maintain Contingency Analysis (CA).
- Support and maintain the Network Topology Processor.
- Support for the implementation, testing, training, and commissioning of new assets in the SCADA system with relation to the Network Model.
- Support and maintain the network model with MISO.
- Support Distributed Energy Resources such as Solar Photovoltaic generation, Battery Energy Storage Systems, Demand Response, Combined Heat and Power, MicroGrids, etc with relation to the Network Model.
- Familiarity in the support and maintain Automatic Generation Control (AGC) with relation to the Network Model and State Estimator.
- Assist Grid Management Training department with building the power system scenarios in the Operator Training Simulator (OTS) to enable the training department to be successful with training system operators.
- Verification of the functionality of applications on a regular basis to ensure that they perform as anticipated and that the data collected is reasonable.
- Database maintenance related to applications controlling the electric grid (Network Model, State Estimation, etc).
- Develop and maintain real-time system models, state estimator, and contingency analysis.
- Support the process for exchanging network model and supporting data as required for a transmission operator.
- Work with business/user community to determine functional or technical requirements to solve specific application problems or issues.
- Represent the organization in meetings to support new and emergent projects.
- Assist with the coordination of ICCP data exchange requirements with MISO, ITC, METC, Wolverine, and DTE.
- Support departmental NERC Compliance requirements.
- Provide support for projects to implement new generation systems.
- Maintain and create necessary documentation where the incumbent is a Subject Matter Expert.
- Provide 7x24 on-call support to control centers on a rotating basis.
- Assist with Disaster Recovery testing and configuration.
Requirements/Qualifications
- Typically, two or more years of applied exempt working experience. Less than that, along with applicable experience, may be considered.
- Able to evaluate, select and apply engineering theory independently.
- Knowledge and/or experience in utility operations.
- Strong communication through all mediums and demonstrated effective communication of the message to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong analytical skills and excellent customer service skills.
- Exceptional ability to discern urgency, importance, and priority.
- Must be self-motivated and organized.
- Strong problem solving and decision-making skills, especially in a stressful environment.
- Flexible and able to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
- Ability to work and contribute in a team environment.
- Electrical power and/or controls background is preferred.
- Knowledge of SCADA and Advanced Applications preferred.
- Previous experience using programming and scripting languages such as VB/VBA, C/C++/C#, PowerShell, Perl, Python, and Transact-SQL is desired.
- Maintain and enhance knowledge of industry trends and new technology through educational sources and continuous learning.
- The position shall be filled at the appropriate salary grade based upon the skills, knowledge, and experience of the selected candidate in the Engineering or Engineering Tech Analyst job family.
- The incumbent may be required to work unusual or extended hours including weekends to respond to system emergencies or major storm-related restoration efforts.
Education Requirements
- ABET accredited bachelor's degree in engineering is preferred. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.