Salary: $50.33 - $58.51 Hourly
Location : Various - Seattle area, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-01011
Department: Seattle City Light
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
Language Premium: No
Position DescriptionSeattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation's largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
System Reliability, transit electrification, and grid modernization initiatives within City Light require an expanding footprint of Operational Technology (OT) Systems and qualified personnel to support them. This position offers an opportunity to engage with a diverse base of technologies to solve problems and design systems that steer City Light towards its Energy Future.
The position of Energy Management Systems Technical Administrator will engage in day-to-day operations and maintenance of the SCL Energy Management System (EMS), as well as participate in project work to implement strategic computer technologies that will help modernize the SCL power grid operations with enhanced intelligence, automation, and decision making. This position will report to the Supervisor of Energy Delivery Systems of the Power System Automation (PSA) Unit in the System Operations Center.
Job ResponsibilitiesThe PSA Energy Delivery Technology Application team provides technical application and infrastructure support for the SCL Energy Management System (EMS) and supporting technology. The EMS is a highly available, secure computer system that allows for remote monitoring and control of SCL power generation, transmission, and distributions systems. The candidate will frequently collaborate with members of the greater PSA team, System Operations, Engineers, and Communications Electricians to solve system issues and complete project work. This position will engage with the following technologies and protocols:
- OSII Monarch SCADA/EMS/AGC
- ICCP
- RTU Communication protocols: DNP3 Telegyr 8979, Modbus
- EIDE
- C Programming Language
- Linux, CLI
- OSISoft PI
- PostgreSQL and Oracle database management systems
- SEL RTAC
- OSII Sentinel
- Future Seattle Electrification Strategy, including: AMI, Micro-Grid, Renewables, Storage, Advanced Distribution Management Systems, and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems
The job responsibilities outlined below are aligned with the traditional system development life cycle procedures and workflow for asset management, information protection, change management, cyber security protection and NERC CIP standards.
- Contribute to the development of high-quality design standards and support processes for:
- High availability, redundancy and operational continuity.
- Quality assurance to ensure that as-built changes meet design standards.
- Ensuring compliance with NERC CIP regulatory standards.
- Interface with OT infrastructure stakeholders, users, and partner teams to ensure:
- Monitoring, logging, notifying and reporting on reliable system operations and problem resolution.
- Preparation and execution of test procedures in accordance with change management processes.
- Maintaining system documentation, performance metrics and reports.
- Maintaining compliance with NERC CIP regulatory standards.
- Liaison with other operational technology providers (e.g. power plants, substations, data network communications, regulatory compliance, Seattle IT, industry vendors and consultants).
- Contribute to the development and deployment of system changes that include:
- OT infrastructure, operating system, and application patches and upgrades.
- Configure, test and deployment to servers and workstations.
- Hardware, software and data recovery
- System interfaces, performance and reports with vendor supported software.
Participate in 24x7 call-out QualificationsMinimum QualificationsRequires an Associate Degree in Computer Science or related field and two years of experience in systems software, hardware, system analysis, design, programming or network (voice/data) implementation (or a combination of education, training and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
Work Environment/Physical DemandsPhysical demands include lifting, bending and crawling. Work may be performed at City office locations as well as department specific remote facilities and field job sites. May be required to be on call nights, holidays, and weekends to respond to emergency situations and/or performs shift work in a 24X7 environment. May require some travel to remote field locations for department-specific technical support and project management.
License, Certification and Other RequirementsMay required to be on call nights, holidays and weekends to respond to emergency situations and /or perform shift work in a 24x7 environment. May require a valid Washington State Driver's License or equivalent mobility.
Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:
Technical Knowledge Requirements:- General understanding of IT applications, infrastructure and integration supporting SCADA/EMS systems.
- Working knowledge of Linux and Windows environments.
- Command line proficiency and general troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to plan, manage and execute multiple tasks and projects within defined timelines.
- Strong understanding of Operational Technology trends, risks and security methods.
- Strong understanding of cyber security best practices for electric utilities.
- Excellent analytical ability, problem solving and collaboration skills.
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills.
- Excellent troubleshooting abilities.
- Programming, scripting, workflow, and automation technologies (C, Python, SQL, PowerShell, and web technologies).
- Creating reports from large amounts of data.
- NERC CIP or other cyber security regulatory compliance.
- Electric utility SCADA or other utility/industrial control systems.
- Understanding of high availability 24x7 computing environments.
- IT Infrastructure with network, servers and workstations.
- Relational databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase, etc.).
- Operational technology communications networks.
- Communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, Modbus, LG8979, SDI12, IEC60870).
- RTU / SCADA equipment vendors (e.g., SEL RTAC RTU).
- Application of cyber security and compliance best practices for OT/SCADA systems.
- Coordination of activities that impact engineering, field crews and operations personnel.
Preference will be given for applicants who possess the Desired Qualifications:- Skills related to change management in mission critical environments.
- Organization and planning skills to manage competing priorities.
- Personal initiative to deliver high quality and continuous improvement results.
- Flexibility to work independently or in teams that include users, peers, vendor and consultant resources.
- Knowledge of network and operating system hardening techniques.
- Knowledge of basic cyber operations activity concepts (e.g., footprinting, scanning and enumeration, penetration testing, white/black listing, etc.).
- Willingness to learn and accept responsibility, comply with safety rules and regulations, work efficiently, effectively and independently.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced government technology environment; to work as a productive member of a professional team, as well as initiative to be a self starter; ability to work under pressure, multitask and rapidly changing priorities.
- Solid understanding of operational technology for the power grid and the electric utility is strongly preferred.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Emergency Response Commitment: Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role-usually aligned with their regular duties-to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.
Additional InformationThe full salary range for this position is $50.33 to $58.51 per hour.
Application ProcessPlease submit the following with your online application:
- A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
- A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
Incomplete applications may not be accepted. Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the , and the A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page:
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Tell us about your computer operations training and /or work experience.
02
Do you have a valid Washington State Driver License or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire?
03
Please indicate your highest level of education:
- High School Diploma/GED
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Juris Doctorate (JD)
- None of the above
04
To participate in the hiring process, Seattle City Light requires strict confidentiality of all related information, including any discussions outside the workplace. This ensures fairness and protects the integrity of the process. This obligation applies during and after the hiring process. Do you understand and agree to maintain this confidentiality?
- Yes, I understand and agree.
- No, I do not agree.
Required Question
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