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Solar SCADA and Controls Specialist

This position provides technical leadership, hands on support and analytical services essential to Renewable Solar Plant control systems and associated equipment. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading plant personnel in maintaining and troubleshooting various solar fleet equipment and control systems. These systems include but are not limited to; Power Plant Controllers, Auxiliary Equipment Systems, PV Tracking Systems, Protection Relays, RTAC Controllers, SCADA systems, site Communication Equipment and Networks. This position will also be responsible for providing technical leadership and support necessary to maintain the reliable and efficient operation of the control systems security and asset management at Southern Power Renewables facilities. This position will serve as a single point of contact for plant personnel on cyber security issues and communications. In addition, this position will be responsible for all required cyber security reporting, documentation, and site cyber self-evaluations. In addition, this position may provide backup support to Solar Technicians as workloads dictate. This will require extensive knowledge of solar operations policies & procedures, as well as equipment maintenance methods and site Lock Out Tag Out policies. JOB

REQUIREMENTS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills):

Education Requirements

• Approved two-year technical degree from a certified technical institution; or military; or similar/relative work experience is preferred.

• Minimum of three years’ experience in plant maintenance including: PLC programming/troubleshooting; Industrial or Utility Scale Electricity; Communication Networking Systems; SCADA graphics development/configuration; and analog/digital control circuits.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to troubleshoot complex Power Plant Control Systems

• Must be able to troubleshoot complex communication and network Systems

• Must have good problem solving and analytical skills necessary to determine current / future operating conditions and trending for optimized plant performance

• Must have superior interpersonal skills, proven written and oral communication skills; ability to work independently, self-directed and as an effective team member

• Working knowledge and experience in solar plant operations and maintenance processes, procedures, and methods

• Working knowledge and experience in utility scale switchyard equipment including but not limited to RTAC controllers, protection relays, UPS systems, Bushing Monitoring Systems, Automatic Transfer Switches, Power Meters, Synchronist Clock System

• Experience with Maximo or other work order management systems for work order processing, inventory tracking, purchase order generation and condition-based maintenance reporting

• Knowledge of industrial supply chain functions, job bid process and purchasing contracts

• Knowledge of plant compliance, environmental and safety requirements

• Above average working knowledge of PC’s and computer skills (MS Excel, MS Office, etc.)

• Ability to interpret logic diagrams, electronic and electrical wiring schematics

• Use of electronic test equipment such as meters, digital recorders, amp probes, fiber testers, network cable testers, thermography camera and signal generators

• Ability to use Power BI, PI Vision or other analytical tools

• Must possess project management skills

• Must have ability to perform control logic configuration, SCADA graphic development, process alarming implementation and system administration

Major Job Responsibilities

• Work with the generation support group at plant level during normal daily operations and during any new site acquisitions

• Provide support to all plant personnel with IT type equipment issues

• Conduct and Manage plant’s Servers, PLC’s, network switches, SCADA servers, SCADA workstation, RTAC controllers, Protections Relays, MET and SMS stations as well as Power Plant Control backups

• Manage and document site equipment network addressing and configurations

• Conduct and Manage server anti-virus and operating software updates

• Manage plant Servers, PLC’s and Power Plant Controller’s hardware warranties and license

• Work with plants and ROC SCADA team on any upgrades, screen changes and additional system alarms as needed

• Conduct site Control system and cyber security training

• Provide leadership and direction to plant personnel with any and all network communications problems such as fiber, Modbus communication failures, network switches, gateways, router problems, ethernet equipment and proprietary communication systems

• Lead the efforts in any control and SCADA system hardware repairs, change out, life cycles, and upgrades - Conduct training on site network switches, routers, fiber converters, gateways, etc.

• Provide technical support and conduct training on site tracker systems –

• Oversite and tracking of plant Control System inventory

• Manage and maintain site security camera systems

• Work with management to add new PM’s and maintenance plans for networking and controls type equipment as needed

• Be familiar with Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) policies, procedures, and requirements

• Supporting the Management of Change processes at plant

• Documenting and maintaining copies of plant cyber security policy exceptions

• Maintain cyber security management requirements including access reviews, CIP key management, system and device inventories, equipment disposal, and ensuring implementation and compliance with cyber security policies and procedures

• Work with cooperate engineering support team to provide plant data as needed

• Work with manager as needed with task and project related to above areas

• Work with manager to find ways to increase plant productivity, reduce maintenance and operations costs

• Must be willing to work hours outside those normally scheduled such as nights, holidays, weekends as required

• Must be available for site callouts as well as supporting site remotely at any given time

Behavioral Attributes

• Must be able to handle complex troubleshooting, high pressure situations and be adaptable to a changing work environment

• Effective oral and written communication skills; demonstrates initiative, personal drive, safety as a core value, values continuous learning, and teamwork; must be able to work with limited supervision.

• Candidate must exemplify Our Values and be a team player with a positive attitude towards work.

• Willing to work with site technicians onsite or remotely to troubleshoot site issues as well as work with those teams to teach and develop their skills.

• Demonstrates attributes to effectively lead groups, projects, and programs

• Must have a problem-solving attitude that focuses on long term solutions

• Must be willing to travel for multiple days on short notice

• Must be available for site callouts as well as supporting site remotely at any given time

  Southern Power , a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own 55 facilities operating or under construction in 14 states with more than 12,500 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Washington.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 10215

Job Category: Power Plant Operations & Maintenance

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Power