Specialist I - Communication & Control - NiSource

Communication & Control Engineer/Specialist Job Family

Job Summary: 

This position is responsible for the initial design, installation, testing and maintenance of the communication and SCADA control systems that monitor, control, and protect the capital investment that has been made in the NIPSCO gas and electric transmission, distribution, and hydroelectric generation and lake level control infrastructure. Performs communication and SCADA system troubleshooting and problem correction. Works with other Gas and Electric departments to coordinate outages, design, build and commissioning new substations, communications systems, and energy management control systems. Work Schedule can include extended hours or overnight stays out of the area. Personnel are subject to 24/7 emergency callout. 

Principles Duties and Responsibilities

• Originates and/or reviews project design drawings and verifies field wiring to insure strict adherence to proper communication and control practices and NIPSCO standards.
• Provides engineering support on site and directs various operating and construction personnel to insure that all communication and SCADA equipment is installed, tested and operates properly.
• Performs acceptance, calibration, functional testing and final operational checks of communication and SCADA equipment for new substations or renovation projects.
• Performs final acceptance and functional testing of all Distribution Automation circuits, sequences, Load Transfer, Dead Bus Transfer, and Auto Restoration routines.
• Performs RTU to EMS/DMS/ Hydro control system checks for analog, status, and SCADA control points. These tests check integrity of the databases, screen links to different system displays, and analog slope checking.
• Performs final field acceptance testing of new communication and SCADA equipment (radios and MUX channels, tower lighting equipment, antenna systems, battery systems, RTUs, distribution automation switches, power line carriers, line relaying equipment and other associated equipment).
• Performs scheduled inspection and functional test maintenance of communications and line relaying equipment to insure continued reliability.
• Maintains, calibrates, backs up, and repairs system monitoring equipment (microwave alarm system, microwave level monitoring system) located at the Electric Dispatch Control Center.
• Responds anytime, day or night, to investigate and provide solutions to field or control center problems with communication and SCADA control design or equipment problems.
• Provides technical assistance and engineering services to various departments within the company and to industrial and commercial customers for revenue generation.
• Conducts communication frequency interference testing for various groups within the company.
• Documents all equipment test data and maintains the most current version of substation communication and SCADA prints.
• Keep microwave station logs and verify that equipment operation complies with FCC rules and regulations.
• Designs microwave and SCADA communication schematic diagrams for new systems.
• Originates ground designs for microwave stations. Provides the field-testing of the recommended installation to insure adherence to design parameters.
• Provides training and assistance for various departments inside the corporation.

Qualifications

This position will be filled as an Engineer or Specialist depending on degree and experience.

Entry Level Engineer / Entry Level Specialist

• Graduate from a four year ABET accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• Knowledge of computer applications such as AutoCAD
• Knowledge of electric engineering
• Ability to deal with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to perform duties under close supervision

Engineer I / Specialist I

• Six to eighteen months experience as an Entry Level Engineer / Specialist
• Understanding of basic engineering/technical theories and principles.
• Understanding of basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to read/interpret drawings/standards to analyze/solve problems

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of basic principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry

Engineer II / Specialist II

• 2+ years of electric utility experience and a graduate from a four year ABET accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• All of the qualifications for Engineer I including:
  • Increased understanding of basic engineering/technical theories and principles.
  • Increased understanding of basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
• Ability to perform duties with limited direction

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of basic principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry

Engineer III / Specialist III

• 4+ years of electric utility experience and a graduate from a four year ABET accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering OR Engineering Technology
• All of the qualifications for Engineer II including
  • Proficient in engineering/technical theories and principles
  • Proficient in basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
  • Proficient in dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
  • Proficient in written and oral communication skills
• Ability to perform duties with minimal direction

Desired Qualifications

• Proficient in principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry

Senior Engineer

• 7+ years of electric utility experience and a graduate from a four year ABET accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering
• All of the qualifications for Engineer III including:
  • Skilled in engineering/technical theories and principles
  • Skilled in basic practices of researching technical design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations
  • Skilled in dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
  • Skilled in written and oral communication skills
• Ability to perform duties with increased latitude for un-reviewed work

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership
• Skilled in principles of project management
• PMP Certification
• Experience in the electric utility industry
  • Ability to perform C&C scoping for complex capital improvement projects

Disclaimer

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.