What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electric Systems Automation Engineer position at City of Ocala?
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
Highly skilled position to design, program, and maintain automation systems that enhance operational efficiency, minimize manual intervention, and deliver unwavering reliability. In this critical role, you'll implement safe and compliant automation solutions, support SCADA systems, and collaborate with System Operations teams to maintain performance, security, and scalability. This position requires strong knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), and Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII). This position reports directly to System Operations Center Manager.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Resource Management: Ensures necessary resources are available for supervising and controlling the electric power grid, associated networks, and meeting regulatory requirements.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure SCADA systems comply with industry standards, cybersecurity requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
3. Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation, including design specifications, user manuals, and operational guides, to ensure accurate and consistent information.
4. Substation Automation & Relay Integration: Configure, program, and maintain SEL RTUs, RTACs, and protective relays. Implement and validate logic, point mapping, and communications between IEDs, RTYs, and SCADA. Support relay settings coordination, logic review, and event/fault data analysis.
5. Field testing & Commissioning: Perform FAT/SAT, field commissioning, and functional verification of automation and relay devices.
6. Policy Development & Reporting: Develop policies and procedures, prepare technical reports to enhance system improvements, quality control, and regulatory adherence.
7. Emergency Response: Availability during after-hour emergencies, demonstrating a strong commitment to our operational response with senior-level preparation to ensure a swift and effective response to critical situations.
Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-A four-year degree from an accredited institution with significant coursework in electrical, controls, automation, or a related engineering field, coupled with five years of progressively responsible experience in SCADA system design, implementation, and maintenance, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant training.
-Additional experience should include hands-on commissioning and troubleshooting of SEL relays and RTUs/RTACs, proficiency in SEL configuration tools (such as acSELerator RTAC and Diagram Builder), and a strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, Modbus).
-Familiarity with substation networking, secure remote access, and scripting or programming for automation tasks (e.g., Python) is preferred.
-Experience working closely with control room or operations environments is considered a strong advantage.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
-Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
-Completion of advanced training or certification in IEC 61850, along with demonstrated knowledge of NERC CIP compliance requirements for low-impact systems.
-SEL vendor training or certifications are preferred.
-Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain one, is considered a plus.
-Certification in cybersecurity or OT security disciplines (such as GICSP or CISSP) is desirable.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
The employee must, within one year of date of hire or promotion to this position, reside and remain within 45 minutes of the assigned work facility.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
If applicable, supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING
OVERSIGHT. Activities covered by expansive policies and objectives, and oversight as to execution and review.
PLANNING
With regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner and/or sequence of performance of own work.
CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY; may also occasionally assist in the planning of work assignments performed by others within a limited area of operation.
DECISION MAKING
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of minor importance. FREQUENTLY;
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of major importance. FREQUENTLY;
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and understand common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ration, and percent and to prepare and interpret bar graphs.
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under general direction, WORKING FROM POLICIES AND GENERAL DIRECTIVES. RARELY REFERS SPECIFIC CASES TO supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.
MENTAL DEMAND
COMPREHENSIVE AND VERY INTENSEMENTAL; Comprehensive and continual involvement with multiple divisions, departments and/or organizations. Strategic and operational management functions which relate to both the short-term and long-term time periods.
USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTER
Highest level of network engineering, subject matter experts and telecom engineering and/or comprehensive information system management executive for Information Systems or Information Technology operations.
ACCURACY
Probable errors of internal and external scope would have a moderate effect on the operational efficiency of the organizational component concerned. Errors might possibly go undetected for a considerable period of time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Frequent contacts with general public, patrons, or other outside representatives, wherein the manner of handling these contacts has a bearing on the organization’s position and operation.
EMPLOYEE CONTACT
Contacts occasionally with others beyond immediate associates, but generally of a routine nature. May obtain, present or discuss data, but only as it pertains to an immediate and specific assignment.
SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED
Accounting Basic
Alphanumeric Data Entry Advanced
Contact Management Basic
Database Advanced
Enterprise Resource Planning Advanced
Human Resources Systems Basic
Payroll Systems Basic
Presentation/PowerPoint Basic
Programming Languages Advanced
Spreadsheet Advanced
Word Processing/Typing Advanced
ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE SKILLS
-SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), OMS (Outage Management System), and Microsoft Access.
-Must possess excellent communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills, as well as a thorough understanding of network diagrams.
-Must possess strong problem-solving mindset, attention to detail, and adaptability.
-Project management experience—handling scope, scheduling, budgets, and delivery.
-Strong commitment to continuous learning: staying current with automation trends and technologies.
OTHER SKILLS
-Must adapt priorities according to service demands and effectively meet multiple deadlines. Must remain composed in high-stress situations.
-Proficiency in writing technical specifications.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
While performing the functions of this job, the employee may be required to:
Stand Regulary
Walk Regularly
Sit Regularly
Use hands to handle or feel Regularly
Reach with hands and arms Occasionally
Climb or balance Occasionally
Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl Occasionally
Talk or hear Regularly
Taste or smell Occasionally
WEIGHT LIFT REQUIREMENTS
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move:
-Up to 25 pounds
VISION REQUIREMENT
Specific vision abilities required by this job may include:
-Color vision (interpreting color software screens or reports; work duties that require the ability to identify and distinguish colors).
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work near moving mechanical parts (spinning shafts, engines, lifts, etc.) Occasionally
Work in high, precarious places (tall structures, bucket lifts, extension ladders, etc.) Occasionally
Fumes or airborne particles (painting, sanding, solvents, flying lint or dust particles, etc.) Occasionally
Toxic or caustic chemicals (including potential for chemical spills, etc.) Never
Outdoor weather conditions (exposure to outdoor heat, cold or inclement weather) Occasionally
Wet or humid conditions (not weather-related, such as greenhouse, carwash, etc.) Occasionally
Extreme cold (not weather-related, such as freezer, cold storage, etc.) Never
Extreme heat not weather-related, such as furnace, kitchen, ovens, etc. where temp is regularly above 100 degrees F) Never
Risk of electrical shock (live electrical wires, equipment that retains power after shutoff) Occasionally
Work with explosives (TNT, dynamite, nitroglycerine or other related explosives) Never
Risk of radiation (x-ray equipment, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) Never
Vibration (jack hammer, soil compactor, equipment that creates high vibration, etc.) Occasionally
The noise level in the work environment is usually Moderate (business office with computers/printers, light traffic, etc.)
Highly skilled position to design, program, and maintain automation systems that enhance operational efficiency, minimize manual intervention, and deliver unwavering reliability. In this critical role, you'll implement safe and compliant automation solutions, support SCADA systems, and collaborate with System Operations teams to maintain performance, security, and scalability. This position requires strong knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), and Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII). This position reports directly to System Operations Center Manager.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Resource Management: Ensures necessary resources are available for supervising and controlling the electric power grid, associated networks, and meeting regulatory requirements.
2. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure SCADA systems comply with industry standards, cybersecurity requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
3. Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation, including design specifications, user manuals, and operational guides, to ensure accurate and consistent information.
4. Substation Automation & Relay Integration: Configure, program, and maintain SEL RTUs, RTACs, and protective relays. Implement and validate logic, point mapping, and communications between IEDs, RTYs, and SCADA. Support relay settings coordination, logic review, and event/fault data analysis.
5. Field testing & Commissioning: Perform FAT/SAT, field commissioning, and functional verification of automation and relay devices.
6. Policy Development & Reporting: Develop policies and procedures, prepare technical reports to enhance system improvements, quality control, and regulatory adherence.
7. Emergency Response: Availability during after-hour emergencies, demonstrating a strong commitment to our operational response with senior-level preparation to ensure a swift and effective response to critical situations.
Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-A four-year degree from an accredited institution with significant coursework in electrical, controls, automation, or a related engineering field, coupled with five years of progressively responsible experience in SCADA system design, implementation, and maintenance, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant training.
-Additional experience should include hands-on commissioning and troubleshooting of SEL relays and RTUs/RTACs, proficiency in SEL configuration tools (such as acSELerator RTAC and Diagram Builder), and a strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, Modbus).
-Familiarity with substation networking, secure remote access, and scripting or programming for automation tasks (e.g., Python) is preferred.
-Experience working closely with control room or operations environments is considered a strong advantage.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
-Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
-Completion of advanced training or certification in IEC 61850, along with demonstrated knowledge of NERC CIP compliance requirements for low-impact systems.
-SEL vendor training or certifications are preferred.
-Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain one, is considered a plus.
-Certification in cybersecurity or OT security disciplines (such as GICSP or CISSP) is desirable.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
The employee must, within one year of date of hire or promotion to this position, reside and remain within 45 minutes of the assigned work facility.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
If applicable, supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING
OVERSIGHT. Activities covered by expansive policies and objectives, and oversight as to execution and review.
PLANNING
With regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner and/or sequence of performance of own work.
CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY; may also occasionally assist in the planning of work assignments performed by others within a limited area of operation.
DECISION MAKING
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of minor importance. FREQUENTLY;
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of major importance. FREQUENTLY;
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and understand common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ration, and percent and to prepare and interpret bar graphs.
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under general direction, WORKING FROM POLICIES AND GENERAL DIRECTIVES. RARELY REFERS SPECIFIC CASES TO supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.
MENTAL DEMAND
COMPREHENSIVE AND VERY INTENSEMENTAL; Comprehensive and continual involvement with multiple divisions, departments and/or organizations. Strategic and operational management functions which relate to both the short-term and long-term time periods.
USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTER
Highest level of network engineering, subject matter experts and telecom engineering and/or comprehensive information system management executive for Information Systems or Information Technology operations.
ACCURACY
Probable errors of internal and external scope would have a moderate effect on the operational efficiency of the organizational component concerned. Errors might possibly go undetected for a considerable period of time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Frequent contacts with general public, patrons, or other outside representatives, wherein the manner of handling these contacts has a bearing on the organization’s position and operation.
EMPLOYEE CONTACT
Contacts occasionally with others beyond immediate associates, but generally of a routine nature. May obtain, present or discuss data, but only as it pertains to an immediate and specific assignment.
SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED
Accounting Basic
Alphanumeric Data Entry Advanced
Contact Management Basic
Database Advanced
Enterprise Resource Planning Advanced
Human Resources Systems Basic
Payroll Systems Basic
Presentation/PowerPoint Basic
Programming Languages Advanced
Spreadsheet Advanced
Word Processing/Typing Advanced
ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE SKILLS
-SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), OMS (Outage Management System), and Microsoft Access.
-Must possess excellent communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills, as well as a thorough understanding of network diagrams.
-Must possess strong problem-solving mindset, attention to detail, and adaptability.
-Project management experience—handling scope, scheduling, budgets, and delivery.
-Strong commitment to continuous learning: staying current with automation trends and technologies.
OTHER SKILLS
-Must adapt priorities according to service demands and effectively meet multiple deadlines. Must remain composed in high-stress situations.
-Proficiency in writing technical specifications.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
While performing the functions of this job, the employee may be required to:
Stand Regulary
Walk Regularly
Sit Regularly
Use hands to handle or feel Regularly
Reach with hands and arms Occasionally
Climb or balance Occasionally
Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl Occasionally
Talk or hear Regularly
Taste or smell Occasionally
WEIGHT LIFT REQUIREMENTS
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move:
-Up to 25 pounds
VISION REQUIREMENT
Specific vision abilities required by this job may include:
-Color vision (interpreting color software screens or reports; work duties that require the ability to identify and distinguish colors).
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work near moving mechanical parts (spinning shafts, engines, lifts, etc.) Occasionally
Work in high, precarious places (tall structures, bucket lifts, extension ladders, etc.) Occasionally
Fumes or airborne particles (painting, sanding, solvents, flying lint or dust particles, etc.) Occasionally
Toxic or caustic chemicals (including potential for chemical spills, etc.) Never
Outdoor weather conditions (exposure to outdoor heat, cold or inclement weather) Occasionally
Wet or humid conditions (not weather-related, such as greenhouse, carwash, etc.) Occasionally
Extreme cold (not weather-related, such as freezer, cold storage, etc.) Never
Extreme heat not weather-related, such as furnace, kitchen, ovens, etc. where temp is regularly above 100 degrees F) Never
Risk of electrical shock (live electrical wires, equipment that retains power after shutoff) Occasionally
Work with explosives (TNT, dynamite, nitroglycerine or other related explosives) Never
Risk of radiation (x-ray equipment, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) Never
Vibration (jack hammer, soil compactor, equipment that creates high vibration, etc.) Occasionally
The noise level in the work environment is usually Moderate (business office with computers/printers, light traffic, etc.)
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).
Salary : $85,270 - $113,170