Salary : $84,364.80 – $127,296.00 Annually
Location : Metro Plant – 2400 Childs Rd. St. Paul MN 55106, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2023-00212
Division: Environmental Services
Department: Supp Srvcs-Process Computer
Opening Date: 07/28/2023
Closing Date: 8/17/2023 11:59 PM Central
WHO WE ARE
This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. 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.
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:
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 in order to effectively manage the system as well as complete strategic long-term planning of systems.
What you would do in this job
- Creates Human Machine Interface (HMI) displays and graphics, gathers requirements, establishes and enforces standards.
- Manages and administers the Industrial Control System hardware/software components and practices, completes strategic planning, develops ICS practices and procedures, and evaluates ICS performance and leads continuous improvement projects.
- Analyzes the requirements for Process Control logic, designs, writes and documents code, implements, tests, troubleshoots and verifies PLC program.
- Establishes standards and procedures.
- Designs network architectures for stand-alone systems, creates standards and security plans, ensures configurations are secure and reliable, oversees growth and usability of the network, coordinates with Information Services.
- Establishes hardware and software standards and best practices.
- 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 responds to possible Cyber security threats.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
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 an 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 Programmable Logic Controllers and programming using function block and ladder logic code.
- Experience with Human Machine Interface (HMI) software of various programming types.
- Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.
What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
- SQL Database administration and programming well enough to create, modify and troubleshoot code.
- Programmable Logic Controller function block and ladder logic programming well enough to create, modify and troubleshoot applications.
- Human Machine Interface of various programing types and configuration well enough to create, modify and troubleshoot displays.
- Computer hardware and software configuration (laptops, desktops, servers, tablets) methods well enough to ensure that all ICS components are secure and up to date.
- Technical knowledge of:
- Allen Bradley software – Logix 500/5000, Factory Talk View ME, RSView, Panel Builder
- Schneider software – Concept, Unity, EcoStruxure, Vijeo Designer, Canvas
- GE software – Cimplicity
- Aveva (Wonderware) software – InTouch, System Platform, Intouch Access Anywhere, Historian, IDAS
- MS System Management Console, Microsoft OS, PC/Server repair
What you can expect from us:
- 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.
Additional information
Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $40.56 – $61.20 hourly / $84,365 – $127,296 annually
Work Environment:
Work is regularly performed in a normal office environment but requires occasional local Metropolitan area travel by car to do field work. The shift is Monday-Friday with flexible hours and be part of a rotating on-call schedule. Position is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, 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:
- We review your minimum qualifications.
- We rate your education and experience.
- We conduct a structured panel interview.
- We conduct a selection interview.
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you’re applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email .
We believe our employees are a key to our agency’s success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
- Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
- Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
- Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
- Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance
The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:
- Well@Work clinic
- bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
- parking at many job locations
- fitness centers at many job locations
- Employee Assistance Program
- extensive health and wellness programs and resources
01
Applicant Instructions: The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type “see resume” otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step.I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
- Yes
- No
02
How did you first hear about this job opening?
- CareerForce Center
- Community Event/Organization
- Employee Referral
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Job Fair
- Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
- Website: governmentjobs.com
- Website: metrocouncil.org
- Website: metrotransit.org
- Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
- Other
03
If you selected ‘Other’, please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected ‘Employee Referral’ please enter the employee’s first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.Type N/A if not applicable.
04
Please select the option that best indicates your education and experience.
- Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in Computer Science AND seven (7) years specific experience working on an Industrial Control System in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility
- Two (2) year technical degree in Industrial Automation AND seven (7) years specific experience working on an Industrial Control System in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility
- High school diploma or equivalent AND nine (9) years specific experience working on an Industrial Control Systems in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility
- Some education in Industrial Automation or Computer Science AND/OR some experience working on an Industrial Control Systems in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility, but less than the options above
- None of the above
05
Please list your degree major and minor. If this does not apply to you, indicate ‘N/A.’
06
Describe your work experience with Industrial Control System (ICS). Include duties performed, and where the experience took place. If you do not have this experience, indicate ‘N/A.’
07
Describe your experience with Programmable Logic Controllers and programming using function block and ladder logic code. If you do not have this experience, indicate ‘N/A.’
08
Describe your experience with Human Machine Interface (HMI) software. Include the various programming types you have experience using. If you do not have this experience, indicate ‘N/A.’
09
Describe your work experience with Historian, IDAS and SQL Servers. Include duties performed, and where the experience took place. If you do not have this experience, indicate ‘N/A.’
10
The Metropolitan Council values a workplace that is as diverse as the people we serve. Please describe your experience working and collaborating in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environment. If you do not have this experience, indicate ‘N/A.’
Required Question