Principal Industrial Automation Specialist

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work. To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The Principal Industrial Automation Specialist designs, builds, integrates, maintains and improves the computerized Industrial Control Systems (ICS) at the nine Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Wastewater Treatment Plants and Collection systems. The ICS is a real time control system that uses automation to control equipment (motors, valves, etc.), and collects data for permit compliance and optimization requirements. The person in this role is the expert in one or more areas of the ICS in order to effectively manage the system as well as complete strategic long-term planning of systems.

Notes: This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This posting will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

• Creates Human Machine Interface (HMI) displays and graphics, gathers requirements, establishes and enforces standards.
• Manages and administers the Industrial Control System hardware/software components and practices, completes strategic planning, develops ICS practices and procedures, and evaluates ICS performance and leads continuous improvement projects.
• Analyzes the requirements for Process Control logic, designs, writes and documents code, implements, tests, troubleshoots and verifies PLC program.
• Establishes standards and procedures.
• Designs network architectures for stand-alone systems, creates standards and security plans, ensures configurations are secure and reliable, oversees growth and usability of the network, coordinates with Information Services.
• Establishes hardware and software standards and best practices.
• Plans and coordinates work with affected areas, reviews plans and specifications, researches and recommends hardware and software expenditures, coordinates scheduling and workload resources.
• Plans for continuity of operations and responds to possible Cyber security threats.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Two (2) year technical degree in Industrial Automation (bachelor's degree in computer science may be substituted for the 2-year technical degree but will not be counted toward additional experience) AND seven (7) years specific experience working on an Industrial Control System in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility.

OR

High school diploma or equivalent AND nine (9) years specific experience working on Industrial Control Systems in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers and programming using function block and ladder logic code.
• Experience with Human Machine Interface (HMI) software of various programming types.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• SQL Database administration and programming well enough to create, modify and troubleshoot code.
• Programmable Logic Controller function block and ladder logic programming well enough to create, modify and troubleshoot applications.
• Human Machine Interface of various programing types and configuration well enough to create, modify and troubleshoot displays.
• Computer hardware and software configuration (laptops, desktops, servers, tablets) methods well enough to ensure that all ICS components are secure and up to date.
• Technical knowledge of:
  1. Allen Bradley software - Logix 500/5000, Factory Talk View ME, RSView, Panel Builder
  2. Schneider software - Concept, Unity, EcoStruxure, Vijeo Designer, Canvas
  3. GE software - Cimplicity
  4. Aveva (Wonderware) software - InTouch, System Platform, Intouch Access Anywhere, Historian, IDAS
  5. Inductive Automation - Ignition
  6. MS System Management Console, Microsoft OS, PC/Server repair
• Understanding of industrial networking protocols - MBTCP, ABTCP, ABCIP, OPCDA, OPCUA.
• Skilled in applying mathematic calculations and reasoning.
• Skilled in writing technical documentation.
• Skilled in technical communication.
• Skilled in applying logical thinking and structured programming.
• Ability to think sequentially, diagnose and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to motivate/mentor others on the team.
• Ability to plan strategically with long term goals and short-term tasks.
• Ability to prioritize work based on the criticality of the problems or projects.
• Ability to solve problems creatively.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment:
Work is regularly performed in a typical office environment, but occasional local metropolitan area travel by car is required for field work. The shift is Monday-Friday with flexible hours, and you will be part of a rotating on-call schedule. Position is occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. Position is exposed to moderate noise. Position is required to lift up to 50# and crawl under desks to plug in equipment.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.