Energy Management Systems Administrator Lead

Company Summary Statement

As one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the United States, PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), is committed to creating long-term, sustainable value for our 3.5 million customers, our shareowners and the communities we serve. Our high-performing regulated utilities — PPL Electric Utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric, Kentucky Utilities and Rhode Island Energy — provide an outstanding experience for our customers, consistently ranking among the best utilities in the nation. PPL’s companies are also addressing challenges head-on by investing in new infrastructure and technology that is creating a smarter, more reliable and resilient energy grid. We are committed to doing our part to advance a cleaner energy future and drive innovation that enables us to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy reliability and affordability for the customers and communities we serve. PPL is a positive force in the cities and towns where we do business, providing support for programs and organizations that empower the success of future generations by helping to build and maintain strong, diverse communities today.
Overview

This position independently leads, plans, schedules, and directs the development, delivery, and maintenance of technology systems and applications for the Transmission Energy Management Control System (AEMS) and Advanced Distribution Management Control System (ADMS), in compliance with regulatory requirements. Provides quality, reliable, compliant, secure, cost-effective, and timely technology solutions, service, support and operation of the EMS and associated technology environments.  Responsible for high-availability systems and applications in a complex technology configuration that is highly regulated and mission critical. Oversees a team in provisioning operational technology platforms for PPL's Operations Control Centers. The position is also accountable for the technical quality of the group's output and is expected to continuously improve capabilities in this area. Configuration and technical support of complex system inter-functionality/administration and/or activities associated with one or more technical areas within the Transmission AEMS and Distribution ADMS control LAN, including but not limited to: application development and support, EMS vendor database administration, remote procedure calls, SQL queries, report writing, systems design, calculations, MS Operating Systems, Linux, OS patching, backup-recovery, high-availability platforms and applications, and third-party products.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct and/or assist with organizing and prioritizing work group activities, assigning and/or scheduling work duties to meet required completion dates.
• This position assumes a technical leadership role where the administrator will lead the technical training and coaching of team members on new technology/processes/procedures.
• Develop leadership skills and coordinate technical training aspects for self and group members.
• Work with other departments on cross-functional technical and business teams, working groups or committees to achieve goals and objectives of the department and company.
• Assist in the development of changes in methods or processes in assigned area of responsibility and make recommendations for implementation.
• Translate operational needs of control centers into technical requirements for supported applications
• Optimizes operation of EMS and associated computer systems through continuous monitoring of performance characteristics, performing or coordinating database updates, and identifying and correcting areas of deteriorating application performance.
• Keeps current with all technical aspects of the transmission and distribution systems and their technological advancements, including those supporting computerized data associated with the EMS through constant study, personal development, and vendor engagement.
• The administrator will be part of the EMS team and will work in conjunction with other members including Critical Infrastructure Protection focused groups to provide planning, configuration, growth, backup/recovery and system performance.
• Leads EMS technology evaluation, planning, analysis, design, implementation, maintenance, and control of the organization's server-class databases.
• Provides in-house technical expertise, evaluations, and recommendations requiring expert knowledge of the Bulk Electric System grid and associated, databases, calculations, monitoring, and controls technology.
• Troubleshoots and resolves highly complex system problems for multi-user, high availability, mission critical, EMS systems.
• Provides client and system support of technology solutions on a 24x7x365 basis, as well as actively participates in an on-call rotation schedule inclusive of all 365 days of the year including holidays. Provides both on-site and remote support, through responsible use of company provided computing, monitoring, alerting, and telephony tools.
• Oversee EMS admin contractors and consultants.
• Evaluates and recommends modifications to existing EMS applications and databases to deliver enhancements. Follows the software development lifecycle framework and company procedures to deliver new and modify existing services.
• Research and analyze technical and/or business plans, designs, proposals, projects or strategies; provide results and/or recommendations in support of department objectives.
• Review, revise and communicate procedures in support of administrative and technical improvement initiatives. Responsible for the application of organizational policies.
• This position has expert knowledge of network, security, operating system, patching, backup and recovery, and other technology skills relevant to the EMS control system. Continually develops technology skill sets in applicable technology and security disciplines. Leads installation and maintenance of EMS system software.
• Interfaces directly with vendors and service providers for the EMS system, in support of technology and business needs.
• Establish a high-level understanding of where operational applications fit into the overall IT and power system architecture.
• Assist in investigations related to operational incidents and system failures/deficiencies.
• Perform special tasks, initiatives, or projects assigned by manager.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience on a year for year basis is required      

Required Experience

10+ years of experience in increasingly responsible professional experience in a multi-user, multi-cluster, high-availability, mission critical, computer systems, or an equivalent combination of education and experience on a year-for-year basis is required.         

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GE AEMS or ADMS
• A successful academic or work background indicating a demonstrated ability to absorb information, apply conceptual skills in practical applications, solve business and technology problems, achieve desired results in a highly technical, high availability, high visibility, and highly regulated, operating environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills.
• Incumbent must effectively deal with the rapid technological, compliance, and business change while maintaining enthusiasm and displaying sound professional judgment and common sense.
• Knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards, internal compliance processes, and the Bulk Electric System are desirable for this position.
• Industry certifications in programming, security, processes, databases, networking, operating systems, auditing, and/or compliance are desirable.

Work Conditions:

Pennsylvania - Allentown