Principal Automation Specialist

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

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 to effectively manage the system and complete strategic long-term planning of systems.

• Manage Industrial Control System infrastructure at nine wastewater treatment plants and the Regional Maintenance Facility. Ensure cybersecurity protections are in place and proactive monitoring, patching, and cybersecurity testing are performed by NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3.
• Manages and administers the Industrial Control System hardware and software components and practices, completes strategic planning, develops ICS practices and procedures, evaluates ICS performance, and leads continuous improvement projects.
• Manage Checkpoint firewall infrastructure at nine plants and the Regional Maintenance Facility, including modifying firewall policies and rule sets and ensuring security for remote endpoint devices.
• Manage remote VPN connection and two-factor RSA for endpoint security.
• Manage VMware vCenter server and vSphere hosts, nine plants, and the Regional Maintenance Facility. Perform patching and upgrades to virtualization infrastructure as needed.
• Manage industrial switch networks and wireless infrastructure at nine treatment plants and the Regional Maintenance Facility. Ensure networking infrastructure hardware and software are up to date. Specify equipment and upgrade plans for legacy networking infrastructure to ensure end-of-life equipment replacement.
• Design network architecture for standalone systems, create standards and security plans, ensure configurations are secure and reliable, oversee the network's growth and usability, and coordinate with Information Services.
• Establishes hardware and software standards and best practices for upgrades and maintenance.
• Manage backup and recovery infrastructure for virtual and physical servers and workstations.
• 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 responding to possible cybersecurity threats.

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 Cisco network switching, routing, and Wireless management.
• Experience with virtualization software such as VMware, vCenter Server, and vSphere.
• Experience working with Checkpoint firewalls, Endpoint management, VPN, and RSA.

• Knowledge of network administration configurations and system security to ensure cybersecurity protection.
• Knowledge of Cisco network switching and routing, new hardware installation, and existing infrastructure management.
• Knowledge of Cisco or Aruba enterprise wireless infrastructure and mobile management.
• Manage and configure computer hardware and software (laptops, desktops, servers, tablets) to ensure all ICS components are up to date and secure.
• Technical Knowledge of Virtualization software such as VMware, vCenter Server, and vSphere.
• Technical knowledge of backup and recovery software such as Commvault and Veeam.
• Technical Knowledge of Checkpoint firewalls, Endpoint management, VPN, and RSA.
• Technical understanding of LANDesk, Anti-virus, Active Directory tools, Intermapper, Microsoft OS, and PC/Server repair. (Technical knowledge requirements may change as technology changes)
• Skilled in applying mathematical 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.

• 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.

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $44.72 - $72.53 hourly / $885,987 - $150,862 annually

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.