PCS Infrastructure Technician

Position Description

• The primary purpose of this role is to provide process control systems support for plant operations. The support is to include infrastructure, hardware, software, and applications for all levels of process computer environment on site. Specific equipment includes PLCs, HMIs, Process Computers, Programmable Drives, SCADA Systems, Smart Instrumentation, system interfaces and associated devices/software. Provide support and on call functions and assist in advanced troubleshooting as required to minimize downtime and return processes to production safely and within environmental permitting requirements.

Major activities/Key Challenges

• Provide support for trouble shooting, problem solving and repair of all Information and Process Automation System infrastructure, equipment and associated control programming
• Develop and apply maintenance knowledge to improve operational efficiencies and reduce maintenance costs
• Champion and implement reliability measures to improve asset availability through automation and control
• Initiate Capital Project Requests for improved maintenance and reliability, or life cycle management, of process control and communication equipment
• Provide project support and implement improvements that are identified by the operations to improve overall performance
• Document and maintain records for all identified Information and Process Systems
• Meet the defined IPS responsibilities outlined by the IT and PCS ASAT protocols to reduce risk and improve system integrity on all equipment hardware, software and application code
• Guide location activities for compliance with NERC CIP-C standards as applicable in cooperation with the location Compliance Coordinator and the US Energy IPS Leader
• Provide support for site compliance with NERC reliability standards (other than CIP-C) as necessary
• Assist IPS team members in the support of the electrical maintenance groups for the daily support functions performed for the automation equipment
• Monitor and improve processes, procedures and equipment to eliminate or minimize environmental and safety hazards in pursuit of zero incidents
• Deliver and support site specific systems
• Liaise with the IPS team members, BU Groups and external providers to deliver common solutions to site
• Provide program management oversight for projects within site
• The key challenges of the PCS Infrastructure Technician role are:
• Working independently (with appropriate input from site or BU level management) to drive projects and initiatives to completion
• Working with systems that are the most critical to the location, the Energy Group, and the Primary Products business
• Communicating with diverse layers of the organization to keep the impacted organizations informed
• Balancing conflicting priorities across multiple departments for the Process control functions
• Protecting critical IPS related assets from damage, loss and exposure to unauthorized personnel during routine required activities. This includes process system programs, configurations and associated data
• Working with location, BU, and corporate resources to achieve and maintain strict compliance with applicable NERC standards
• Participating in IPS departmental ASAT and PSAT compliance requirement activities in order to maintain current satisfactory assessments grades
• Working with identified alliance partners to ensure new solutions are aligned with current GPP standards and can be adequately supported by existing plant personnel
• Promoting the value of standardization within the site
• Encouraging site to embrace major strategic alliances
• Managing expectations of customers at all levels of the organization
• Developing strong relationships with key leadership personnel at the site, business unit and corporate levels
• Building strong linkages between IPS and other alliance partners in order to meet site goals

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Computer Science (or similar field) or equivalent work experience
• Experience in Information and Process Systems function in operating facilities (usually requires over 2-4 years’ experience in operations)