SCADA Network Specialist

CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT; La Plata (MD); On-site; USD 57,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles County Government in La Plata, MD seeks an experienced SCADA Network Specialist to maintain and troubleshoot SCADA, RTUs, FIUs, PLCs, HMIs, and related instrumentation across water and sewer facilities. The role involves working with complex electronic, computer, cybersecurity platforms and communications systems.

The position requires a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in a related field and five years of progressive SCADA experience, with strong diagnostics and hands-on skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology or a related field.
• Five years of progressive experience installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting SCADA systems.
• Experience with water/wastewater or utility environments preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair SCADA systems in water facilities.
• Diagnose failures in RTUs, FIUs, PLCs, HMIs and related equipment.
• Program PLCs using ladder logic and function blocks.
• Assist IT with cybersecurity and physical threat mitigation.
• Maintain records of testing, calibration, and repairs.
• Provide after-hours support for SCADA outages.

Skills

SCADA systems

RTUs

FIUs

PLCs

HMIs

Instrumentation

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology, electronics, industrial automation, instrumentation, or related field

Tools

SCADA hardware

PLC programming

HMIs

Fiber optics

VHF radios

Cellular modems

Job description

The hiring salary for this position is $ 67,483.85 annually.

Open until filled with a best consideration date of September 14, 2026. This posting may close without notice.

Charles County Government is seeking an experiences SCADA Network Specialist to perform a variety of tasks associated with the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the electronic and communications equipment used in the County’s water and sewer systems. The role involves working with complex electronic, computer, cybersecurity platforms and communications systems in water facilities, treatment plants, wells, pumping stations, and metering vaults. This includes management and support of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network, Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Field Interface Units (FIUs), fiber optics, network switches, and various instrumentation and communication equipment.

• Perform preventive & corrective maintenance and troubleshooting of all electronics and communication systems across the Division’s water and sewer facilities.
• Diagnose and repair failures in SCADA equipment and instruments, including RTUs, FIUs, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), fiber optic communication links, network switches, relays, power supplies, and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs).
• Ensure the proper functioning of process controllers, including updating control logic parameters as necessary.
• Conduct Preventive Maintenance Inspections of equipment and facilities to ensure proper operation and compliance with specifications. Specifically, SCADA equipment, including RTUs, FIUs, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS’s), fiber optic communication links, network switches, power supplies, HMIs and all process monitoring devices.
• Install, modify, and repair medium and low voltage electrical equipment, instrumentation, and communication systems in various locations, including water treatment plants and sewage pumping stations.
• Install and configure new 4-20 mA, and 0-5VDC instruments and ensure compatibility with SCADA systems.
• Assist in the installation of components for the SCADA network, including communication links, such as radios, cellular modems, power supplies, and fiber optics.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot a wide variety of antennas used with Very High Frequency (VHF) radios and cellular modems.
• Evaluate the effects of proposed equipment on existing systems and perform modifications as required.
• Perform inspections at existing new facilities to ensure the equipment is working properly and meets design specifications.
• Ensure the functionality of SCADA systems and communication links using specialized monitoring and troubleshooting equipment and techniques.
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs using ladder logic and functional control block programming to ensure system performance.
• Deploy, maintain, and monitor HMI graphics, alarm management screens, and historical trends to ensure accurate data presentation and ongoing system performance.
• Work in collaboration with the Information Technology Division (IT)to identify and mitigate cybersecurity as well as physical threats.
• Maintain accurate records on the testing, calibration, and repair of instruments and equipment. Specifically, when testing 4-20mA instruments, VHF & Spread Spectrum radio’s as well as cellular modems.

• Maintain accurate records on the testing of VHF antennas and the associated coaxial cables and poly phasers.
• Use industrial test equipment (e.g., amp meters, voltmeters, oscilloscopes) to monitor, calibrate, and verify the performance of electronic and instrumentation systems.
• Serve as the emergency response technician for critical equipment failures reported by the Operations Division, ensuring rapid resolution and minimal disruption.
• Supports Operations Division with day-to-day equipment failures, Variable Frequency Drives, electrical malfunctions, generator failures and nuisance alarm management.
• Provides next-level troubleshooting and repairs to assist/extend Operations capabilities as well as training.
• Maintain comprehensive records of data, including database tags, alarm management screens, deployed graphics, and modification of drawings.
• Prepare record drawings for modifications to existing systems and update as necessary.
• Assist the IT Division with the installation and maintenance of SCADA network components and communication equipment and links.
• Collaborate with Consultants, team (Technical Support – Project Management) members, and vendors to ensure the proper functioning and upgrades of electrical equipment, SCADA equipment and communication systems.
• Regularly provide training and ride-along mentoring for Operations Instrumentation Technicians.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and industry standards when performing electronic, instrumentation, and communication tasks.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations while working with medium voltage systems and specialized SCADA equipment.
• Assist with the annual maintenance program of generators within the Department of Public Works, Utilities.
• Perform additional related tasks as assigned by management.
• Serves as after-hours support team for SCADA communication outages, address cybersecurity threats and instrument/automation failures.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology, electronics, industrial automation, instrumentation, or a related field is preferred and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of SCADA systems, industrial control systems, and electronic instrumentation, preferably in water/wastewater or utility environments or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Ability to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and manuals.
Working knowledge of safety regulations, codes, and best practices related to medium and low voltage systems.
Work is subject to frequent interruptions.
Employee is subject to call back in emergencies.
Employee may be on-call during non-business hours for SCADA communication outages, cybersecurity incidents, and automation failures.

THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven experience with the operation, maintenance, and repair of SCADA systems, RTUs, FIUs, PLCs, HMIs, and related instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of analog and digital signal processing, including working with 4-20 mA signal loops and associated calibration techniques.
• Proficiency in programming and troubleshooting PLCs using ladder logic and function block programming.
• Familiarity with communication systems including fiber optics, VHF radios, spread spectrum radios, cellular modems, network switches, and antennas.
• Experience with the installation and configuration of instrumentation in industrial environments, including and all process monitoring devices, including flow meters, and level sensors.
• Skilled in using industrial test equipment such as voltmeters, amp meters, oscilloscopes, and signal simulators.
• Ability to evaluate and modify electrical and communication systems to ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure.
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles, with the ability to identify and address threats in collaboration with IT personnel.
• Experience supporting or working within IT/OT network environments including SCADA network integration and troubleshooting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex electronic and communication system issues under time-sensitive conditions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document work, update diagrams, and prepare reports.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams, consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and support less experienced technicians.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion and is performed in field settings and may be outside. Typical positions require employees to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 50 pounds; climb stairs, ladders; bend, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors. The employee needs to be agile enough to work under, in, and above equipment, systems, and structures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties for this job are performed in a shop or field setting or outside.

Department/Division: Public Works/Utilities/Technical Support

Pay Grade: 114

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: SCADA Team Leader. As directed, employee may temporarily report to other supervisory personnel.

Supervises: May provide supervision and direction to employees or contractors as assigned or needed to complete work.