SCADA Electrical Specialist Lead

JOB LOCATION

Aurora, Colorado 80016-2946

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring Salary: $42.87 - $53.59/hour

The deadline to apply to this position is January 31, 2025. However, it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is obtained.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

Aurora Water Aurora Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems, treatment of drinking water and non-potable reclaimed wastewater for irrigation, billing and collection, public outreach and water conservation, acquisition and development of future water rights, major capital projects programs, and quality control for regulatory compliance and public health.

The City of Aurora is seeking a SCADA Electrical Specialist to plan, supervise, monitor, and coordinate the activities of a team of skilled workers engaged in the operation and maintenance of highly complex instrumentation, controls, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, security, motor control, and telemetry systems for the Aurora Water Department.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attends project meetings and aids as an electrical expert.
• Monitors team training needs and provides recommendations to supervisor.
• Assists technicians in the field as needed.
• Provides input on budgetary matters.
• Asset management development.
• Quality control for projects and on-site job walks.
• Daily duties include evaluating, both medium and low voltage systems from 120 volts to 13.8 kV. Equipment ranges from motors, generators, switchgear, motor controllers, transformers, wiring systems, lighting, electronic components, and other related equipment.
• Prepares preliminary cost estimates for materials, supplies and equipment for proposed construction or renovation by working through vendors.
• Manages and maintains accurate records and logs of the operation, repair and maintenance of electrical, mechanical and other related materials.
• Weekly attends staff meetings, meetings with vendors and contractors.
• Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.
• Works with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail along with maintaining a good working relationship with peers.
• Responsible for maintaining and following uniform safety practices and procedures regarding electrical, mechanical, and other maintenance related equipment in the Division.
• Plans, supervises, monitors, and coordinates the activities of a team of skilled workers engaged in the operation and maintenance of highly complex Industrial Electrical systems.
• Ensures that proper safety precautions are observed.
• Evaluates electrical engineering drawings, single-lines, calculations, studies, and schematics.
• Coordinates and performs inspections, test and participates in on-site audits of equipment.
• Assist engineering with project design, management, and tracking changes.
• Facilities meetings with stakeholders and/or site owners.
• Develops and/or recommends policies, procedures, processes, guidelines, and standards concerning industry best practices.
• Develop standards and new procedures and programs based on state and OSHA guidance.
• Must be well versed with the NEC and NFPA 70E (Arc Flash)
• Ensures compliance with local, city, state, and National Electrical Codes (NEC)
• Maintains records and makes recommendations concerning materials, manpower, training, and equipment used.
• Maintains and enforces safety regulations and procedures.
• Coordinates and manages preventive maintenance programs.
• Inspects work in progress for conformance to standards.
• Coordinates developments and issues between divisions in the Water Department
• Interfaces with other departments, employees, and outside consultants regarding system capabilities, functions, programs, and applications
• Monitors costs and makes recommendations regarding budgetary matters.
• Makes recommendations regarding selection, hiring, training, evaluating, and disciplining of assigned employees.
• Stays current on technical issues relative to position.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Power transformers, arc-resistance switchgears, mobile substations, batteries, power circuit breakers, high- voltage disconnect switches, high-voltage and distribution capacitor banks, series reactors, etc., including:
• Developing and maintaining technical specifications
• Leading substation equipment procurements through vendors or the project engineers.
• Developing and/or maintaining equipment operating manuals
• Forecasting and planning equipment replacements
• Analyzing and interpreting the results of various substation equipment tests and recommending appropriate actions to be taken
• Analyzing and prioritizing maintenance work and develop maintenance intervals and practices for all substation equipment.
• Providing technical support to design engineers for substation projects
• Providing guidance on standards for substation spare parts, materials, and equipment; and incorporating the necessary material/equipment into the system
• Developing, maintaining, and administering relevant training to substation personnel, including the Substation Hazard Communication training
• Performing field visits with craft employees to understand their duties and build good relationships.
• Performing “baseline” reviews of safety programs to determine employee awareness and program effectiveness.
• Collaborating with others to develop safety training programs.
• Responding to and investigating safety incidents
• Analyzing and reporting on safety data and offer recommendations.
• Participating in safety plan reviews to ensure hazards are identified and controlled.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• A degree in electrical engineering.

Experience:

• At least twelve (2) years of experience as a commercial and/or industrial electrical engineer or equivalent experience
• Must have experience evaluation equipment with voltages from 24 VDC to 13.2 kV AC.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance of OSHA29 CFR1910.269 and other applicable industry standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of computer-based programs
• Extensive knowledge of trouble-shooting equipment
• Extensive knowledge of load calculation and power consumption.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Working knowledge of ETAP.
• Working knowledge of Relay settings and applications.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of codes, standard terms, practices, and modern methods common to the Industrial electrical trade.
• Knowledge of the use and safe operation of measuring and testing devices, hand tools and equipment of the trade.
• Knowledge of industry controls and equipment
• Must know the principles of low, and medium voltage electrical safety, installation, maintenance, operation, and testing; and pertinent federal, state and local codes, laws and regulations.
• In-depth technical & Electro-Mechanical knowledge & skills for repairing, servicing, and maintenance of electrical equipment, transformers, switchgear of voltage from 12 volts VDC to 13,200 volts VAC and other electrical apparatus related to the operation of water treatment plants and other related facilities.
• Working knowledge of computer systems, SCADA and interface equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of local and national electrical codes
• Knowledge of trade occupational hazards and appropriate precautionary safety procedures, particularly as they pertain to work on medium voltage electrical systems and equipment.
• Knowledge of Windows-based computer programs such as Outlook, Excel, Word, and Adobe.

Skills:

• Knowledge of the electrical operational aspects of water treatment equipment and its installation.
• Safely exercise sound judgment and initiative in resolving complex electrical, electro/mechanical and other maintenance related problems.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Skill in the use of windows-based programs.
• Strong customer service skills

Abilities:

• Ability in using and maintaining power tools, measuring equipment and meters associated with power quality and measuring devices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens.
• Ability to recognize deviations and irregularities from standards and recommend or perform corrective actions.
• Ability to record and maintain operating data, related records and keeping records to make reports.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations.

Ability to Plan, lay out and safely execute general and industrial electrical work; install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, instrumentation, motors, motor control centers, transformers, industrial back-up generators switch gear and other electrical equipment.

• Ability to make estimates of labor and materials.
• Ability to train and QA the work of lower-level employees.
• Ability to effectively operate computer and work-related software.
• Ability to and perform the essential functions of the job without causing harm to self or others.
• Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams and specifications.
• Ability to safely and skillfully operate hand and power tools and equipment common to the trade.
• Ability to anticipate and plan for expanded electrical needs.
• Ability to learn and adhere to City purchasing principles and practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, the public and technical representatives.
• Ability and willingness to respond to emergency situations as identified by City Staff.
• Ability to evaluate and accomplish tasks in a manner consistent with Division goals and objectives.
• Ability to see and read blueprints, letters, numbers, words, characters, and symbols which are both large and small.
• Ability to correctly identify colors and hues, tints, and shades of colors by sight.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Must possess a current Colorado Driver's License with a good driving history.
• Must possess a current electrical engineering license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary, light, medium, and heavy work ranging from moving 10 pounds at a time to 100 pounds with or without assistance.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• Will need sense of touch to feel the attributes of objects, finger dexterity and hand strength to operate and grasp tools and equipment, use of feet and hands to operate vehicles.
• Will need sense of speech to verbally exchange ideas and information, to provide technical information and to communicate with employees and citizens.
• Will need sense of hearing to receive verbal detailed information and instruction, and for troubleshooting and hearing warning signals.
• Will need sense of normal color vision to distinguish colors; to read manuals, record data, and monitor/observe instruments and gauges.
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents.
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard. Must choose from one of the following options: (Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy)
• Motor skills necessary to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery or moving surfaces; to bend, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, stand, and walk on a sustained basis; to lift and carry tools and equipment; considerable walking and standing; frequently performs.

activities requiring a full range of body movement; hand/eye and hand/foot coordination for operation of equipment and vehicles.

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions and high frequency, including: constant noise, dust, allergens, chemicals, solvents, fumes, smoke, gases, grease, and oil
• May work in confined spaces and at elevated heights
• May be required to work in highest category Arc Flash rated environments (Category 4)
• Must remain clean shaven as required to wear respiratory equipment
• May perform duties in standing water, wet environments, or on uneven and slippery surfaces, below ground, on ladders and/or scaffolding, around moving vehicles and equipment and on equipment with moving parts subject to continuous vibration
• The ability to wear, don and doff a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Equipment Used:

• Operates tools, equipment, and vehicles common to electrical repairs and maintenance.
• Laptops and tablets.

This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.