Sr Analyst/Application Services/Technical (SCADA/PI)

About the role

The Senior Analyst/Systems (SCADA) role is eligible to be based in Texas. Southwest Gas is seeking a technical lead for the administration and support of the AVEVA PI Historian and its integrations with SCADA and other OT/ICS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts in determining application functionality, security, recovery and integration requirements, and planned user interaction by working with support group, project management, and/or business area personnel.
• Analyze alternatives using SWG methodology (cost/benefit, risk, etc.); determine implementation schedules.
• Lead and perform research and evaluation of product and service alternatives for topics assigned (including I/S tools) using appropriate methodology and document recommendations; include vendor business and cost analysis as appropriate.
• Design the use of complex application software functions and options, and document interfaces and planned utilization of user access tools.
• Design complex SWG custom applications.
• Assist Control Operations & Planning (COPS) in determining impact of business requirements on production and recovery infrastructure.
• Review or prepare application or infrastructure component specifications and development plan, and assure cost-effectiveness, compatibility with I/S architectures, and compliance with security/control and technology recovery practices, gaining approvals when appropriate.
• Provide input to Service Level Objectives and to backup/restore and security/controls designs.
• Lead or participate in problem diagnosis and resolution on a timely basis; participate in "post-mortem" reviews as assigned.
• Lead or participate in the analysis, prioritization and development of change requests, upgrades and patches, and maintenance actions; assure appropriate coordination, communication and approval.
• Provide on-call support.
• Review or maintain assigned I/S records.
• Participate in technology recovery and departmental emergency management planning, rehearsals and execution.
• Plan, participate in or review the configuration, testing and implementation of complex application components (package or custom) needed to implement documented requirements (modules; parameters; inquiry and reporting; application security; integration; other).
• Plan and review appropriate levels of application or infrastructure testing, including preparation of test plans, scripts, data and expected results as appropriate.
• Complete the turnover of tested application or infrastructure items and related documentation for production use.
• Cook up with project managers and other departments to develop, arrange for, or provide application training for end users and support groups.
• Communicate and work effectively in project teams and work groups, and take lead roles as appropriate; communicate effectively with support groups and business areas, and with supplier and contractor technical personnel, keeping department and project team personnel informed on progress and problems.
• Coordinate with project managers or develop project work plans; provide a clear understanding of the work being assigned, including scope, schedule and deliverables.
• Review documentation prepared by SWG and contractor personnel as assigned, and monitor timely completion.
• Develop and deliver formal communications to I/S and business areas.
• Develop and utilize I/S Policies and Practices.
• Develop, maintain and ensure effective use of I/S policies, practices, methodology, standards and tools for applications, technical, operations, or security/control topics as assigned.
• Continually identify opportunities for improvement in departmental practices and procedures, and participate in developing and implementing them.
• Develop I/S organization and skills – Lead or Perform.
• Design, conduct and participate in the delivery of training for I/S personnel.
• Be a source of knowledge and expertise in one or more functional and/or technical topics; prepare briefings and research reports as appropriate.
• Gain appropriate knowledge of the business processes and organization in the areas being supported.
• Control I/S activities and costs – Participate in negotiating and renewing product and service contracts, and monitor performance against contract terms; maintain relationships with assigned suppliers.

Requirements

• Strong expertise in SCADA/ICS environments, preferably within natural gas, energy, or other critical infrastructure industries.
• Advanced troubleshooting and analytical skills across SCADA applications, databases, operating systems, and OT communications.
• Ability to support mission-critical 24×7 operational systems in a regulated environment.
• Systems Testing and IT Implementation experience.
• Project Management experience.
• Utilities experience.
• Excellent analytical skills and a sense of urgency.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with process mapping.
• Organized with the ability to work in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with and passion for implementing change and continual improvement.
• Demonstrated fluency in business processes and process differentiation.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize business requirements, including recognizing patterns and conceptualizing processes.

Qualifications

• This position requires five to seven years of relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited university, or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job responsibilities.
• Industry recognized certification(s) relevant to responsibilities are preferred.
• Incumbents performing activities requiring government, regulatory or vendor certification must keep those certifications current.