Utility Controls Engineer

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

Estimated pay: Est. $30–$39/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

Required (minimum) qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Information Technology and at least two (2) years of progressively more responsible experience in implementation, development, technical evaluation, and maintenance activities in the areas of utility control systems (preferably SCADA systems) or information technology is required.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of DNP3 and MODBUS protocols.
• Experience working in an I.T. environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot, upgrade, backup and manage Microsoft OS.
• C++ and C#/.net programming experience.
• Networking and server management/maintenance skills, including MS SQL Server programming and maintenance experience.
• Understanding and maintenance of relational databases.
• Understanding of network serial and Ethernet communications.
• Basic understanding of electrical power system terminology and one line diagrams.
• Demonstrated ability to gain support and commitment from others.
• Self-motivated, proactive professional with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Coordinates and prioritizes multiple tasks, resolves problems, negotiates solutions, and identifies and analyzes unit and departmental priorities.
• Strong written (including technical writing), verbal, interpersonal skills.

Energy Management oversees the reliable, safe and efficient operation of mechanical, electrical, and civil utilities systems in approximately 250 complex buildings on the Twin Cities campus. Home to the University’s technical and professional engineering staff, as well as a select group of skilled tradespeople, the group maintains the campus utility infrastructure and provides technical and engineering expertise to the U’s Capital Planning, Facilities Management building operations, and other facilities-related units across the U of M system. The Twin Cities campus has a total electric utility budget of approximately $51M per year. The infrastructure required to safely and reliably distribute this energy includes more than twelve miles of underground steam tunnels and five medium voltage (13,800 Volt) switch stations. The Energy Management group manages and maintains this complex infrastructure, as well as overseeing storm water management, sanitary sewer systems, municipal water distribution, chilled water distribution, steam and condensate, and compressed air systems.

The utility controls engineer works under supervision of a principal electrical engineer, supporting the development, oversight and maintenance of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for the campus 13.8 kV utility systems and the main electrical services in buildings.

In cooperation with Energy Management electrical engineers, this role requires the ability to recommend, develop, design and implement SCADA system control and monitoring strategies which enhance the robust operation of the electrical distribution systems. Perform and assist with general I.T. support for servers, networks, websites, and applications for the Energy Management department. This position requires technical expertise, curiosity, and drive to work within a collaborative team dedicated to excellence in electrical distribution systems, influencing critical decisions and delivering reliable, forward-thinking solutions supporting the University mission.

Position Responsibilities

Operations & Maintenance (75%)

• Implementing and guiding the proper operations and maintenance of a campus SCADA system. Maintain the SCADA network and field devices through trouble-shooting, configuration programming, and backup. Develop and perform scheduled hardware/software maintenance and upgrades through vendor long term service agreements.
• Develop operation and maintenance standards for the SCADA system, including instruction on how to use the system.
• Proactively investigate field problems and independently develop engineering solutions.
• Support the commissioning effort for new field devices
• Engaging and coordinating with electrical operations.

Security & Standards (15%)

• Develop and implement network and application security protocols. Maintain and update standards for system security. Create documentation on security standards that is readily available for audits.
• Add/delete/modify/organize database points for consistent conformance to industry and university standards.

Design, Data & Documentation (10%)

• Develop and revise HMI graphics.
• Support the maintenance of electric metering network maps and documentation.
• Build and maintain websites and applications for data transparency and situational awareness using custom applications through 3rd party API(s) to interact with the SCADA system.
• Identifying and planning for future capital expenditures on hardware and software replacements.

Physical and environmental