Energy Management System Support Engineer

Position Description

Tacoma Power's Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Section is looking for an EMS Support Engineer to join their team!

This entry level engineering position that contributes to the support, maintenance and configuration of the Energy Management System (EMS) managed by the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) section. Under direction of an experienced EMS engineer you will apply software updates and make system configuration changes as required to support capital construction projects or operational requirements. In this role you will monitor system performance and work with an experienced EMS engineer or Power System Operator to investigate alarms and system issues. The position participates with other work group members in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 response during nights and weekend to EMS system failures.

The EMS is a highly specialized, customized, and complex system critical for control of the electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems that are monitored and controlled by Tacoma Power System Operators. The system allows Tacoma Power to fulfill its obligations as a Balancing Authority, Transmission Operator, Generation Operator, Distribution Provider (plus others) and to meet associated North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) federal regulatory requirements. This position will directly support energy control center operations and serve an integral role in the implementation of protection and controls for power substations and generating facilities.
Responsibilities Include:

• Ensure proper EMS operation and administration; participate in installation, upgrades, maintenance, general operation, and enhancement of the EMS. Test system updates in development (DEV) and Quality Assurance (QA) environments prior to application to production system. Maintain testing and system validation documentation related to system maintenance and upgrade tasks.
• Configure system software applications to meet operational needs for situational awareness by defining and configuring alarm management tools to categorize and filter system alarms, set annunciation levels, flagging alarms and events requiring specific actions, creating alarm specific help articles to assist operators.
• Maintain EMS and data historian to reflect changes brought on by various construction and maintenance activities at Tacoma Power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities. Actively monitor and ensure accuracy of data from field systems such as Remote Terminal Units (RTU) from substations and generation sites.
• Configure and maintain Inter Control Center Protocol (ICCP) real time data link applications to facilitate real time electrical system data transfer between Tacoma Power and adjacent utilities and the Reliability Coordinator.
• Work with wholesale marketing and engineering groups to extract historical EMS / SCADA data. Provide consolidated electrical system report data such as the monthly peak load report of all SCADA enabled substation feeders. Produce monthly Control Performance Standard (CPS) report, Frequency Response Report (FRR), and the Disturbance Control Standard (DCS) reports as requested by regional and national reliability entity. Produce system reports in aftermath of a storm or abnormal conditions.
• Act as a backup Subject Matter Expert (SME) for NERC Reliability Standards as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
0-1 years depending upon assignment

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
AS ASSIGNED:
Washington State Driver's License

Some positions may require individuals to complete annual CIP training after employment and pass a comprehensive personal risk assessment (background check) prior to employment and every five years thereafter as required by federal regulatory requirements (NERC-CIP)

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Elise Drennen . If you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with them on LinkedIn.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.

Apply
I nterested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. (For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.)

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/17/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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