EMS SCADA Consultant (Contract)

Job Overview:

The EMS SCADA Consultant will be responsible for gathering and analyzing client business requirements to address and resolve technical challenges related to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management System (EMS) applications. This includes systems such as Generation and Dispatch Control (GDC), Automatic Generation Control (AGC), Inter-Control Center Communication Protocol (ICCP), Transmission Security Management (TSM), and Dispatch Training Simulator (DTS), which are critical to controlling and monitoring Xcel Energy's Bulk Electric System (BES) grid.

The role requires strong technical expertise for system configuration, problem analysis, and the resolution of issues related to real-time technology and operations. The consultant will act as the communication liaison and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for EMS applications between business partners, IT teams, operational technology (OT) teams, and other stakeholders.

Additionally, the role supports the configuration, implementation, and ongoing support of various interfaces for EMS applications to enterprise systems, including the Enterprise Services Bus (ESB), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and OSI Soft PI interface.

Responsibilities:

• Gather and analyze business requirements to identify technical issues and propose solutions related to SCADA and EMS applications.
• Provide technical expertise in system configuration, real-time technology, and operations.
• Act as the communication liaison and SME between EMS application teams, business partners, IT teams, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in the configuration and support of interfaces between EMS applications and existing enterprise applications (e.g., ESB, APIs, OSI Soft PI).
• Work on the implementation and configuration of various EMS applications and interfaces to optimize grid control and monitoring.
• Engage in project management tasks to ensure timely project delivery, collaborating with EPC, neighboring utilities, and internal/external stakeholders.
• Assist with HMI screen development and modification of database points.
• Support compliance with NERC-CIP regulations and the change management process (ServiceNow).

Required Qualifications:

• Experience:
• Prior experience with ICCP, RTU, and Reliance Applications (XA-21).
• Strong background in Electric SCADA systems and real-time data broadcasting.
• Proficiency in networking protocols, automation, and control systems.
• Experience with programming languages for system integration and scripting (e.g., C, C , PowerShell, Python, VB, PERL, Linux).
• Knowledge of the NERC-CIP regulated support model and change management processes (ServiceNow).
• Experience in the Control Center environment.
• Familiarity with data historian systems (PI).
• Hands-on experience with OATI Web Applications and integration with EMS systems.
• Experience working with Digi, Engage, and Meinberg systems.
• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with TSM, AGC/GDC, Time & Frequency, Sequential Control, SOE/Alarm Management, ICCP, RTU, Data Broadcasting, Historian PI, and Reliance Applications (XA-21).
• Excellent analytical skills with a positive attitude for addressing day-to-day operational and application issues.
• Experience with custom scripts/integrations (e.g., Python, PERL, VB, SQL).
• Proficient in supporting Linux environments.
• Strong vendor and stakeholder engagement experience, with excellent communication skills.

Position Levels and Requirements:

1. EMS SCADA Support Analyst – Jr.
2. Minimum 2-3 years of direct experience – EMS SCADA Consultant I
3. EMS SCADA Support Analyst – Sr.
4. Minimum 3-5 years of direct experience – EMS SCADA Consultant II
5. EMS SCADA Support Engineer – Subject Matter Expert
6. Minimum 7-10 years of direct experience – EMS SCADA Consultant III

Note:

This position offers a hybrid work schedule: 3 days on-site, 2 days working from home.