SCADA Systems Administrator

King-County,-W; Washington; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Metro's Rail Division seeks a Rail SCADA Systems Specialist to execute expert development and enhancement of Rail SCADA systems, lead projects, perform business analysis, and research new technologies. The role drives maintenance and upgrades for the Rail SCADA system and serves as project lead for ongoing improvements.

Ideal candidates bring advanced SCADA knowledge, experience with Emerson/GE ecosystems, and the ability to train others while coordinating with rail personnel across

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of SCADA and related control systems principles.
• Knowledge of hardware, applications, tools, open protocol systems and databases.
• Knowledge of SCADA data, system security, backup, and disaster recovery.
• Ability to convey technical information to non-technical users.
• Ability to maintain technical documentation and configuration control.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise on SCADA design, development, enhancement, implementation, and maintenance.
• Train rail SCADA personnel on specialized operational functionality.
• Research new hardware/software; develop purchase justifications.
• Monitor, troubleshoot and maintain control systems and CCTV/EMERGENCY systems.
• Maintain servers, workstations, switches, and PLC health.
• Develop/update SOPs and best practices.
• Develop complex applications, reports, and upgrades.
• Plan and act as project lead for assigned systems.
• Ensure supplies and equipment availability; participate in committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

SCADA systems

System security

Technical documentation

Communication to non-technical users

Education

AS or BS in engineering/automation/electrical technology

Tools

Emerson PME

GE Cimplicity

Job description

Job Summary

The responsibilities of this position include performing expert level development and enhancement of Rail Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems; providing on-going project leadership, business analysis, and new technology research; and complex implementation and maintenance of SCADA systems. Rail SCADA Systems Administrators serve as project leads for on-going maintenance and improvements to the Rail SCADA system.

About Link Light Rail

King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. Together with Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services, the Link Light Rail system is the backbone of an integrated regional transit network that gives people real freedom of movement. As Puget Sound transit agencies work together to build a seamless, connected system, our light rail system plays a central role in expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that everyone across our region can get where they need to go.

Joining Metro's Rail Division means joining an organization that is shaping the future of public transportation in the Pacific Northwest and setting the standard for modern rail operations nationwide. This is a division that values strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to the people we serve, both our riders and our teams. Whatever your role, your work here contributes to something that matters, a light rail system that thousands of people count on every day.

Who May Apply

This career service position is open to the general public and all King County employees.

This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and subsequent to commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols.

Work Schedule

This position is a salaried / exempt position and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. The work week and scheduled hours may vary. Employees must be able and willing to work any shift (day, swing or graveyard). Work shift is subject to change based on needs of the business. In addition, this position has on-call responsibilities and must respond to emergency situations as needed. Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. We model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors and practices across all job duties, which may include the following

• Provide subject matter expertise on design, development, enhancement, implementation, support, maintenance, and repair of complex SCADA and communications systems.
• Train SCADA Systems Specialists, Signal and Communications Technicians, Operations, and other rail personnel on specialized operational SCADA functionality.
• Research and recommend new or additional hardware and software; develop purchase justifications.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain control systems, Emergency Telephone Systems, CCTV (closed circuit television) systems.
• Maintain and monitor the health of servers, workstations, switches, and programmable logic controllers (PLC).
• Develop and/or update standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Develop complex applications, reports, modifications, and upgrades.
• Plan, implement, and act as project lead for assigned systems.
• Ensure the availability of supplies and equipment necessary to perform routine and special tasks.
• Serve on various committees and task forces as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of SCADA or other relevant control systems and communications systems principles and techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of specialized technologies, such as hardware, applications, tools, and open protocol systems and databases utilized in modern SCADA and communication systems.
• Advanced knowledge of SCADA data and system security systems, backup, disaster recovery and related processes.
• Skill in conveying technical information to non-technical users.
• Skill in maintaining technical documentation and configuration control.

Ideal candidates will have

• Any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
• Minimum of two years working as a Rail SCADA Systems Specialist or a closely related field.
• Experience programming and configuring in Emerson/GE Ecosystem (PAC Machine Edition / PME & Cimplicity) or equivalent industrial automation platforms.
• Associate of Science (A.S.) degree or Bachelor of Science (BS) in an engineering, automation, or electrical technology discipline

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift objects up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Frequent walking, reaching, climbing, kneeling, and stooping.
• Work in confined spaces and at heights and in cramped and awkward positions.

Licensing, Certification and Other Requirements

• A valid Washington State driver's license is required and an acceptable driving record. If you possess an out-of-state driver’s license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, Forklift, and other certifications.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened for completeness and qualifications. Candidates presenting evidence that they meet or exceed the qualifications noted above may be invited to participate in a panel interview. Employment offers will be finalized only after candidates have successfully completed physical examinations, drug screens and a drug and alcohol background checks. Reference checks and reviews of driving records will also be conducted prior to any final offer of employment.

Safety Responsibility: Employees

• Responsible for understanding this policy and their role in safety
• Report all safety concerns
• Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training
• Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system

Class Code: 8311400

Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC17 : Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.