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Job Description
Description:
Retirement Benefits Health Benefits Commute Benefits
Interviews and Assessments may occur before the close date as qualified (journey level)
candidates apply
The Department
Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services to it's citizens andusinesses. Because of this, the CIty has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, home grown, and environmentally-focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto Alto community with safe and reliable utilities service, local decision-making over policies, utility rate-making, environmental programs, and customized services.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with Microprocessor relay and SCADA servers.
Purpose of Classification
This position diagnoses, repair, and develops preventive maintenance programs for various network and electrical devices to optimize system, performance and to minimize unscheduled interruptions. Assist with training for assigned personnel. Work closely with engineering, operation and vendor on all maintenance and CIP projects.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The SCADA/Relay Technologist is a skilled journey-level position that performs a variety of skilled work in designing, assemble and install automation control cabinets, hardware and software programs. It oversees testing of new systems and identifies discrepancies in information processing and consults with vendor to ensure specific needs and or condition are met per proposal. The incumbent is responsible for crew, contractor, and public safety during the performance of daily assignments, planned and emergency situations.
Essential Duties:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- May assume supervisory duties in the absence of immediate supervisor
- Provides training to other employees for operations of SCADA system.
- Maintains inventory of material associated with assigned work.
- Maintains records concerning all functions of assigned work.
- Use computerized maintenance management systems.
- Perform periodic inspections of assigned equipment and facilities and maintain appropriate records, including building, site and yard maintenance and housekeeping.
- Test, calibrate, maintain and repair indicating and recording instruments and measuring devices.
- Participates in policy and standards development.
- Participates in the development of standards and specifications with other agencies and industry representatives
- Maintains the SCADA and data networks to ensure reliability of information provided to the Electric, Water, and Gas system
- Designs, assembles and installs automation control cabinets.
- Programs, maintains, installs, and troubleshoots electronic and electrical system components, their input and output devices, network communication servers and related software used to control Electric, Water, Gas and Lift stations
- Supports Outage Management and Security System hardware and software.
- Diagnose, repair, and develop preventive maintenance programs for various network and electrical devices to optimize system performance and to minimize unscheduled interruptions
- Identifies areas where change, use, or increased use of automated systems would provide increased speed, accuracy or efficiency in Utility operations.
- Oversees testing of new SCADA and network communication systems and identifies discrepancies in information processing. Consults with vendors to ensure specific needs and or conditions are met per proposal.
- Designs and revises electrical and SCADA network maps and documentation.
- Services and maintains SCADA radio communication equipment and associated antennas.
- Maintains and creates SCADA network user accounts
- Develops or reviews hardware and software specifications for new automated systems and identifies impacts on existing or other planned systems; delivers time and cost estimates of new systems to assist in preparing project budgets.
- Is responsible for network operating system recommendations, implementation and support.
- Provides Utility-wide user training and support for new and existing automated systems.
- Works with other department representatives to prioritize Utility-wide requests for new developments or enhancements. Provides input to management regarding long-range automation plans.
Minimum Qualifications:
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Technology, Software or Computer Science, or related field and
- Completion of an accredited apprentice program
- Knowledge of PLC Programming with emphasis in Ladder logic
- General fundamentals of electrical theory
- Ability to lead a work crew on large construction projects.
- Knowledge of Electric power distribution, Water and Gas distribution SCADA systems.
- Knowledge of and background in PLC, RTU, HMI, & IED equipment and control circuits.
- Knowledge of Linux/Windows operating system, DHCP, DNP3, TCP/IP, SCADA network and Modbus communication languages.
- Ability to communicate with others, make sound decisions, and to assimilate and understand information in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
- Understand electrical codes including NFPA 70E, OSHA Regulations and other codes as applicable.
- Ability to use bench test equipment, multimeters and analyzers and other tools and equipment of the trade.
- Safe work practices and procedures.
- Safety requirements and precautions necessary while working with low medium and high voltage systems.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other employees and the public.
- Effectively organize information and data
- Perform maintenance, troubleshooting and repair on a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment commonly found in an electric, water and gas utility.
- Read, interpret, and update electrical drawings, plans, diagrams and specifications, sketch drawings to reflect as built systems.
- Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet strict deadlines.
- Ability to troubleshoot and analyze communication systems; communicate accurately orally and written; possess the ability to read electrical and communication distribution maps.
- Ability to keep accurate records of work using computer software when necessary.
Supplemental Information:
SCHEDULE: Monday thru Thursday 6:30 am to 4:00 pm
Alternating Fridays 6:30 am to 3:00 pm
Off alternating Fridays
Fantastic Benefits Package Click HERE
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
This is a Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) position.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 12/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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