The mandate of Water Facilities & Treatment Services (WFTS) is to provide treatment and distribution of a sustainable supply of high-quality drinking water and is committed the use of the SCADA system, and contribute to ongoing service delivery and service improvement initiatives.

The SCADA system and its entire infrastructure are considered Operational Technology (OT) that is separate from the City’s IT since it is a unique industrial system, comprising both legacy and “smart” hardware and software, which is comparatively complex. The SCADA system includes several components: the human–machine interfaces (HMI’s), which are the terminals/screens that present process data to human operators, so they can monitor and control the processes; the computer control systems, which gather (acquire) data on the processes, continuously update databases, and send commands (control) to the processes; programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which connect to sensors in the numerous processes (water treatment facilities, pumping stations, reservoirs, tanks etc. throughout the City), convert sensor signals to digital data, and send digital data to the supervisory system; the communication infrastructure (entire network), which connect the hundreds of PLC’s to the computer control systems (comprising of the virtual servers for both operations production environments and historical reporting purposes, Wan, LAN, fibre optics/telecom/satellite and other connections, with switches, routers, firewalls etc.); and various process and analytical instrumentation to protecting the environment by collecting and treating wastewater for the health and prosperity of Ottawa.

The Water Production branches operate and maintain the City's two water purification plants and the corresponding East or West remote pumping stations, reservoirs and communal well systems. You are responsible for providing system administration and system management functions including technical support and maintenance of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Operational Technology (OT) systems within the City’s water treatment plants, communal well systems and remote pumping and storage facilities.

As a member of the SCADA team, you are responsible for confidential information affecting the organization and its resources as well as leading the delivery and sustainment of adequately protected critical infrastructure and emerging technologies. Works with consultants and contractors to develop solutions for critical infrastructure and emerging technologies that will assist to detect, monitor, and predict risk.

As an experienced member of the SCADA team, you provide subject matter expertise, mentoring, training, and guidance as it relates to the use of the SCADA system, and contribute to ongoing service delivery and service improvement initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field

Minimum of 5 years of experience in implementing, operating, programming and analyzing real-time process control systems, preferably in a public utilities environment. Must be experienced in SCADA system hardware and software operation, data monitoring, real-time process control strategies, computer networking and system security, server software and hardware integration, radio/telephonic/ethernet communications systems

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Design, implementation, operation and maintenance of real time Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, including client server architecture
• SCADA design standards and International Society of Automation (ISA) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Design Standards
• Knowledge acquired through Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training
• Ifix HMI software, iHistorian,Cisco
• Microsoft Windows operating systems, latest Server , XP, Vista, Windows
• Redundant load sharing hardware and software systems, core routers, switches, servers virtual historians /data bases
• Network monitoring and security practices, VPN, firewalls, monitoring and intrusion software (Solarwinds), 802.1 encryption techniques
• Local and Wide area networks including Cisco routers and switches, TCP/IP and Modbus protocols
• Electrical and standby power generation and instrumentation control systems and equipment
• Process control and optimization
• General knowledge of the basic principles of water treatment, facilities/equipment, pumping, storage, and distribution processes
• General knowledge of provincial and municipal legislation and regulations pertaining to potable water
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.
• Desirable Qualifications:
• Knowledge of Oracle, SQL and Excel add on Data base reporting tools/software

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Work independently, with minimal direction, and collaboratively with all staff as part of a team
• Able to provide knowledgeable and efficient client service, to support daily operational requirements
• Possess organizational skills and flexibility to plan, initiate, organize and prioritize own work, and to effectively balance conflicting priorities, pressures and deadlines
• Provide technical leadership to plan, lead, coordinate, implement and manage projects to completion and support/mentor project teams, share information, and support team decisions
• Able to write comprehensive documentation and procedures
• Able to use SCADA and related computer systems to support process functions and to train others in their use
• Able to analyze existing and new hardware and software, and systems data
• Possess strong evaluation, analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions in diagnosing and solving SCADA related problems
• Possess computer literacy in applications such as MS operating systems, Office Suite, GE’s Ifix, iHistorian, Change Management and Portal, Network monitoring software, Solarwinds
• Possess excellent consultative, collaboration, facilitation and interpersonal skills
• Possess strong, assertive oral and written communication, documentation and report writing skills
• Interact professionally with staff/colleagues, consultants and contractors
• Innovative, displaying original thinking and creativity in problem solving
• Able to demonstrate sound judgement and decision-making capabilities
• Client centered approach to service delivery
• Willingness to work outside of normal working hours

Core Behaviours

Core behaviours define the City's expectations of the behaviours employees should demonstrate in performing their work. They are reflective of the City's culture and values and guide all our present and future activities. Every employee is encouraged to learn, embody, and demonstrate these core behaviours.

Review the Core Behaviours