Technical Services Manager (Manager, Substation and SCADA Engineering)

Walton Electric Membership Corporation; Monroe (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Walton EMC in Georgia seeks a Manager, Substation and SCADA Engineering to lead the Substation, SCADA, and distribution automation teams. You will oversee design, testing, and operation of substation assets and the SCADA system, ensuring reliable performance and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

Reporting to the Engineering and Operations group, you will develop staff, manage projects, and coordinate with internal and external partners to advance Walton EMC's electric system

Qualifications

• Education and experience mix as described; ABET background preferred.
• Deep experience in substations, protection and controls, SCADA, and distribution automation.
• Leadership and communication skills with ability to move into management.
• Regularly pass Walton EMC entrance exam and drug screen as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop personnel for safe, efficient operation.
• Analyze workload and staffing to ensure adequate coverage.
• Identify training needs and solutions for staff.
• Interview and recommend employment decisions per policy.

Skills

Leadership

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

People management potential

SCADA concepts

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Engineering

Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred

Engineering Technology degree with utility experience

Non-ABET engineering degree with utility experience

Technical/related bachelor’s with substations/SCADA experience

Tools

SCADA software

Microsoft Applications

Map Viewer

Apparatus test equipment

IED applications

Job description

Manager, Substation and SCADA Engineering (Technical Services Manager)

Georgia System Operations Corporation assisting in recruitment efforts on behalf of Walton Electric Membership Corporation

Walton EMC Internal Title: Technical Services Manager

Department: Engineering and Operations | FLSA Status: Exempt

Purpose of Position

This position provides leadership across substation and apparatus, SCADA, distribution automation, and communications.

Qualifications

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Require the satisfactory pass of Walton EMC's employment entrance examination and drug screen.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages and directs the work of the Apparatus personnel and SCADA Engineer. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Direct people-management experience is preferred but not required. Strong technical leaders who demonstrate the ability and readiness to move into formal people management will be considered.

Education and Experience

Requires a combination of education and directly relevant technical experience that demonstrates the knowledge and ability necessary to successfully perform the role. Candidates may be considered with one of the following backgrounds:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program and relevant engineering experience. Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Degree preferred.
• Engineering Technology degree plus significant electric utility experience.
• Non-ABET engineering degree plus substantial directly relevant utility engineering experience.
• Technical or related bachelor's degree plus deep experience in substations, protection and controls, SCADA, distribution automation, communications, or apparatus.
• Prefer extensive electric utility technical experience, particularly experience in relays, apparatus, substation, SCADA, system operations, or similar technical roles into technical leadership. Working knowledge of protection and coordination is required. Experience with distribution automation and communications is strongly preferred. SCADA and substation/apparatus knowledge may be developed after hire based on the candidate's overall technical background.
• Direct electric utility experience is preferred; however, candidates from utility consulting organizations, OEMs, and system integrators with significant and directly relevant utility experience will also be considered.
• Requires demonstrated leadership skills, including excellent oral and written communication skills, adaptability, sound technical judgment, and interpersonal skills for effective employee communication. Prior formal people-management experience is preferred but not required; strong technical leaders ready to transition into management will be considered.

Computer Skills

Requires high proficiency with personal computer including Microsoft Applications, SCADA installation and maintenance, system protection programming and analysis software, Map Viewer, Apparatus test equipment and IED applications.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Requires the ability to have and maintain ITS certification and a valid Georgia driver's license. Professional Engineering registration is desirable.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following are the essential duties of this position and do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. The scope and duties of a given position may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of Walton EMC. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than as "at will" employment relationship.

• Manage and develop personnel to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Analyze workload and schedules to determine adequate staffing.
• Identify staff training needs and determine training solutions.
• Effectively interview applicants and make employment recommendations based on Cooperative policy.

Substation Assets

• Manages design, testing and maintenance of all substation assets.
• Ensures design and construction of substation structures, bus, switchgear, regulating and protective equipment meets industry and Walton specifications.
• Assures substation step voltage regulators and breakers have full remote visibility via Walton's SCADA system for status and command controls.
• Ensures installation and maintenance of substation equipment is adequate.
• Assures monthly inspections of all Walton EMC's substations and associated equipment is performed, recorded, and maintained.
• Routinely verifies substation protective devices are programmed and tested accurately to protective settings.

SCADA and Communications

• Manages design, installation, and maintenance of SCADA system and associated infrastructure.
• Ensures full connectivity of status and control points from SCADA master to substation apparatus equipment.
• Provides real time monitoring, status and control of distribution field devices via SCADA.
• Constructs and maintains SCADA communication infrastructure throughout service territory for connectivity to distribution devices.
• Constructs and maintains SCADA system HMI to mimic the current distribution system.
• Supports Control Center SCADA operational needs.
• Manages the installation and maintenance of two-way voice radio equipment and data radio equipment.
• Manages communication tower maintenance according to FCC rules.
• Ensures proper licensing, installation and maintenance of radio system.

Distribution Automation and Protection

• Ensures supervisory controlled line devices and sensors are installed, programmed, and maintained properly.
• Manages subordinate staff in the programming and maintenance of line switching and protective devices.
• Jointly manages, with Distribution System Director, the specification, purchase, inventory, and maintenance of remote-control line devices.
• Ensures SCADA communications functions accurately in all field devices.
• Ensures all relays, protection metering and instrument transformers are installed, tested and maintained according to ANSI standards and manufacturer's requirements.
• Manages distribution capacitor control settings and construction specifications.

Plant Apparatus and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Manages the installation, testing, and maintenance of all plant apparatus equipment related to regulated materials and systems.
• Manages accurate recordkeeping on all oil filled and gas filled equipment.
• In accordance with industry standards, ensures the timely repair and service of transformers, regulators, substation circuit breakers and circuit reclosers.
• Responsible for compliance with all required federal and state regulations and procedures for PCBs and Underground fuel Storage Tanks.
• Coordinates with the Loss Control Director and any consulting engineer for annual inspection of facilities and records relating to documentation.
• Ensures Walton EMC facility's standby generation is properly maintained and functioning properly.

Participates in the Engineer-on-Call rotation, approximately once every six weeks, with responsibility for overseeing system status outside normal business hours and responding to emergency situations as required.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. General office and shop environment, irregular hours, require ability to work during emergency power outages. Exposure to outside environmental conditions on a frequent basis.

Working Relationships

Internal: Direct reporting and working relationship with the Vice President, Engineering and Operations; communicate plans, programs and procedures, obtain applicable information and approvals from immediate supervisor. Success in this position requires developing a strong understanding of Walton EMC's interdepartmental working group responsibilities and effectively partnering across departments to support technical and operational priorities.

External: Communicates with sales personnel. Demonstrates an awareness that this function exists to effectively serve each and every member and at every opportunity to achieve increased member and public understanding for support of the cooperative.