Lead Process and Controls Engineer

The purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise and lead Engineering staff through full life cycle water works improvement projects associated with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) platform, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), process instrumentation, and electrical systems throughout WaterOne. This position leads a team of SCADA Technicians and serves as the SME for Operational Technology (OT) and process design, and improvement to increase functionality and reduce downtime of the production environment(s).

Pay range for this position is $111,200 to $177,900/yr. Compensation for the selected candidate will depend on candidate qualifications and experience as related to the position requirements.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manage all aspects of projects including the design, development of detailed plans, specifications, contract documents, cost estimates, easement acquisitions, bidding process, construction phases, schedules, and pay estimates.
• Ensure that projects are properly designed to WaterOne and industry standards, accurate engineering plans are provided, and construction requirements are followed. Provide technical assistance based on sound engineering principles and oversight to engineering staff.
• Review plans submitted by outside entities for municipal capital improvement projects and determine effects on WaterOne facilities.
• Develop, maintain, and update design criteria, material standards, and construction standards for WaterOne facilities and distribution system.
• Maintain knowledge of current issues related to the water industry, including materials, processes, condition assessment technologies, water main rehabilitation and technology for new and upcoming treatment processes.
• Ensure that the projects adhere to Comprehensive Master Plan budget, Annual Capital Budget, WaterOne T&D budget, and/or the cost estimate submitted.
• Ensure projects comply with WaterOne Rules and Regulations.
• Write and/or review comprehensive specifications and requests for proposals/quotes that are necessary to obtain materials, services, and equipment at the best price. This may include value analysis and recommendations on purchasing.
• Ensure timely completion of all projects by complying with project schedules based on project priorities, municipal improvement project timeframes, and/or assigned target dates.
• Provide estimates and projections of anticipated costs for projects identified by the asset management plan or other means, condition assessment activities, cleaning/inspection efforts, and general improvement projects for annual budgeting purposes.
• Act as WaterOne liaison for projects designed and administered by outside engineering consultants.
• Review and comment on designs, reports, specifications, and recommendations completed by outside engineering consultants on behalf of WaterOne.
• Prepare Action Item Summaries and supporting documents for Board action.
• Maintain communications with area professionals in related fields such as federal, state, and local governments, fire departments, and street and highway departments in matters relating to WaterOne distribution system, facilities, or surplus property. Ensure understanding between WaterOne and outside organizations by using objectivity, understanding, and proactive communication.
• Continue professional growth and development by attending conferences/seminars/workshops/webinars.
• Participates in and encourages staff to participate in water industry research, activities and professional/technical organizations.
• Direct the activities of and delegate work to assigned engineering staff. Provide guidance, support, and prioritization of analysis, design, and construction work oversight.
• Supervises assigned staff and all related activities including training, approving work schedules and timekeeping, coaching and counseling, establishing performance goals, and conducting performance evaluations. Motivates and inspires staff to achieve higher skill levels.
• Assist other departments by providing technical engineering analysis and recommendations.
• Assist and advise WaterOne operations and maintenance personnel, inspectors, and Contractors to ensure complete understanding of project intent and on issues that develop prior to or during construction.
• Assist with developing, maintaining, and updating WaterOne Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assist with developing and maintaining an ongoing asset management plan for WaterOne Facilities and the distribution system.
• Process Engineering related duties include but are not limited to:
  • Supports the full automation life cycle for control systems and associated applications by means of development, specification, upgrades, maintenance, support, monitoring, troubleshooting, and analysis.
  • Recommend future improvements, enhancements, and alternative solutions for resolving issues impacting performance, security, and failure of devices related to WaterOne’s control & process systems.
  • Generate and maintain documentation regarding process flow diagrams, P&ID drawings, electrical & control diagrams, control narratives, PID loop tuning, testing & implementation plans, SOPs, and standards.
  • Responsible for documentation of all processes and changes related to the control system.
  • Maintains WaterOne’s control system software licenses and renewals.
  • Coordinates, schedules, and leads all SCADA Technicians’ programming & development activities, daily work activities, and establishes task priorities.
  • Works within an OT/IT team to maintain the control system’s network security standards, identify security issues, and consult on & implement new security solutions.
  • Collaborates and works closely with Production, IT, Engineering, Consultants, control system vendors, and SCADA staff during design, planning, testing, implementation, commissioning, problem resolution, patching, and upgrades of system controls.
  • Evaluates SCADA system vendor recommendations for OT system patches and updates.
  • Coordination and advisement with various departments regarding hardware & fielded devices connected to and affected by WaterOne’s control & process systems.
  • Leads SCADA team through disaster recovery processes.
  • Participates in cyber security planning and incident response.
  • Troubleshoots and resolves complex control system and process application issues.
  • Stays current with the latest technology and trends for control systems. Explores and recommends new features, frameworks, tools, and upgrades to be incorporated into the system.

Other Duties

• Assist with developing overall departmental and divisional priorities.
• Assists Manager with coordination between other Divisions and Departments.
• Assists with Department and Division budgeting, strategic planning and staffing as necessary.
• Assists with presentations and reports to the WaterOne Board and other various organizations.
• Assists with emergency response activities as needed.
• Provides support to maintain and improve project management, safety and training programs for Divisional staff.
• Act as Manager during Manager’s absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Customer Service Commitment

WaterOne employees shall continuously strive to meet or exceed the expectations of both their internal and external customers.  Questions and concerns shall be acknowledged on the same day whenever possible, but no later than the next business day.  Issues shall be resolved as promptly as possible, with the goal of maximizing customer satisfaction.

Supervisory Responsibility

SCADA Technicians (3)

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related Engineering discipline from an accredited university with an ABET accredited engineering program.
• Possess a Professional Engineering (PE) license in the State of Kansas or is currently eligible to apply for and obtain licensure in Kansas specializing in Control Systems, Electrical & Computer, or comparable engineering discipline.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in engineering and technical work.
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently, delegate projects to individuals, and track multiple workloads effectively.
• Able to maintain good working relationships and be teamwork oriented. Must have a cooperative attitude and exhibit diplomacy, respect, and sound judgement when working with coworkers, customers, developers, contractors, outside engineering firms, and municipalities.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude and provide direction, guidance, inspiration, and support to the workforce and foster a high respect/high performance environment. Project a professional image and demeanor.
• Approaches problem solving in a logical manner without direct supervision.
• Efficient at recognizing and focusing on important priorities without direct supervision.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to communicate with engineering staff, construction staff, other WaterOne department members, the public, contractors, city officials, and developers.
• Proven ability to exercise good judgment and be innovative.
• Able to work on and lead/oversee multiple projects concurrently. Well organized and able to set priorities for self and others.  Able to independently assimilate information from several sources to complete a project.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings.
• Proficiency in developing design drawings and specifications for construction of water works improvements.
• Proficiency in construction contract document preparation and administration thereof.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of easements, easement acquisitions, legal descriptions of land, and the eminent domain process.
• Thorough knowledge of engineering theory and practice.
• Able to respond to occasional emergencies, which may occur outside normal work hours.

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience

• Postgraduate degree in Engineering and/or Business Administration.
• Water Utility experience or Proficiency in water utility construction including facilities. Knowledge of issues affecting water utilities.  Knowledge of the WaterOne asset management program for all facilities.
• Construction experience.
• Completion of management courses and/or training.
• Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley) family of software.
• AVEVA System Platform, OMI training, and Historian/Historian Client.
• Industrial Networking & ANSI/ISA-95 Enterprise/Control System Integration.
• Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Teams, Visio, and Project.
• AutoDesk AutoCAD and Revu Bluebeam.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally lift/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee must be able to use a computer for multiple hours a day. The employee must be able to move occasionally from one location to another or be able to remain in a stationary position for up to several hours a day, in possibly unfavorable weather and/or site conditions.  The employee must be in possession of a licenses and be able to operate a vehicle at any given time. The employee must be able to use office productivity equipment such as a personal computer, calculator, printer, and copy machine. The employee must be able to occasionally position self to inspect or view field activities.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates in both the field and a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate except when in the field on a jobsite.

WaterOne provides a total compensation package that includes:

• Competitive base pay
• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and LTD insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Company funded Cash Balance Plan
• Company match Defined Contribution Plan
• Comprehensive wellness program
• Educational assistance program
• A variety of other benefit programs and activities

Equal Opportunity Employer

WaterOne is an equal opportunity employer and upholds a non-discrimination policy. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military status, or marital status in making employment and business decisions. We also prohibit harassment and retaliation in the workplace and in our dealings with the public. We encourage and welcome diversity of backgrounds in our workforce. WaterOne complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

Complete job description is available upon request and will be provided during the selection process.

Salary : $111,200 - $177,900