Manager AMI Administration & Application Support, Hays

Midwest Energy•Hays, KS

18h

About The Position

The purpose of the Manager AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) Administration & Application Support is to manage, architect, lead and oversee the selection, design, development, implementation, on-going support, and administration of technology associated to AMI related systems, the FlexNet Communication Network, corporate software applications and Technology Roadmap initiatives. The position ensures that IT Enterprise Software, AMI systems and FlexNet related improvement opportunities are vetted, coordinated, and successfully implemented. The manager will ensure technology solutions are on the current release or version, operable, effective, efficient and adhere to best practice cyber security standards.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in information systems, computer science, data processing or a related technical field of study. Masters degree is preferred. Alternatively work experience and/or a combination of education and work experience will be accepted.
Minimum of 10 years experience with responsibilities associated to the architecture and administration of AMI Systems or similar network systems.
Minimum of 10 years experience with responsibilities associated to maintaining software operation.
Experience as an application support specialist, AMI Administrator or similar position.
Ability to manage, lead and supervise others in a team environment to facilitate the completion of Technology Roadmap initiatives, software deployment and upgrades.
Exhibits professionalism and integrity by maintaining composure in challenging situations, demonstrating accountability, and upholding confidentiality and ethical standards.
Demonstrate proper and respectful communication etiquette and proficiency in verbal and written communication to correspond with the user community, cross-functional team members, managers, vendors and consultants. Demonstrate proficiency in grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure all written content is professional and polished.
Demonstrated skills utilizing project management techniques and methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to provide quality customer service and establish effective working relationships with end-users, consultants, vendors, contractors and other utility companies.
Demonstrated analytical skills and proper troubleshooting techniques to efficiently resolve issues.
Demonstrated technology skills in design, structure, implementation and use of enterprise software applications.
Ability to organize and lead end-user training.
Demonstrated skills utilizing technology platforms, database utilities and reporting tools including Linux, SQL and Cognos.
Employee should be able to acquire, within a reasonable time, an understanding of basic utility operations, rates, billing and collection regulations, and other policies and procedures affecting customers.
Must hold and maintain a valid Kansas Drivers License.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of electric or gas utility industry is preferred.
Masters degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight and direction of the technical review and acceptance testing for software and firmware upgrades for the AMI system and associated tools and equipment.
Monitor and manage all AMI and FlexNet Communication Network functions between FlexNet devices (meters, modules, gateways, sensors, etc.) and base radios and the headend system. Identify and triage communication failures impacting meter reads and data collection. Monitor and manage AMI and FlexNet data gathering hierarchy, data transmit settings, buddying settings, interval read settings, base station reporting, network saturation, communication statistics and message volume and optimize configurations as necessary.
Oversee, monitor and triage AMI and FlexNet Communication Network Alerts and Alarms related to communication issues and settings, system health and the health of endpoint devices (meters, modules, gateways, sensors, etc.).
Ensure register and interval read data is being collected accurately and in a timely fashion. Oversee, monitor, and triage AMI orphans, stales and no-read reports.
Manage the day-to-day AMI system health issues and activities including querying data from the AMI Head-End and Meter Data Management system to identify and mitigate issues.
Architect, design, manage, and monitor all system integrations facilitating data exchange with the AMI system and other related systems. Triage all problems and issues associated to integration and data exchange.
Provide functional expertise and training to the end user on AMI related software applications as directed.
Manage the development, installation, testing and maintenance of IT Enterprise Software Assets as directed.
Assess, evaluate, and manage updates, patches and associated documentation for IT Enterprise Software Assets.
Manage and facilitate the installation, testing and deployment of software upgrades and patches as directed.
Oversee, architect, design, manage, and monitor all system integrations facilitating data exchange between related systems.
Manage the supported software solutions to ensure daily processing schedules are run. Manage the day-to-day system health issues and activities including querying data from the various software systems to identify and mitigate issues.
Administer and manage user access privileges and security settings associated to corporate software applications and the AMI system including menu access, available functions and features.
Provide functional expertise and training to the end user on software applications as directed.
Lead and champion the Technology Roadmap initiatives assigned to the AMI Administrators and Application Support Analysts. Act as a project lead, core team member and/or subject matter expert as assigned. Assist in the evaluation and definition of new Technology Roadmap initiatives.
Maintain costs and forecast budgets relating to the AMI system and Application Support functions.
In coordination with the IT Security Administrator, ensure that software systems are deployed with best practice cybersecurity standards utilizing the Critical Security Controls framework developed by the Center for Internet Security.
Oversee and perform the centralized management by the IT Department of user access and security settings associated to all corporate software applications (on-premises, cloud based, etc.) and the AMI system including menu access, available functions and features.
Interviews, selects and terminates reporting personnel in accordance with approved organization plan and corporate policies subject to the approval of the Vice President Information Technology and Vice President Human Resources.
Periodically reviews performance of employees and recommends changes in salary and/or status in accordance with approved wage and salary plan.
Counsels and advises subordinates. Assists with training sessions pertaining to safety, proper work procedures and meetings as needed.
Develop and maintain internal and external working relationships for maximum effectiveness in serving Midwest Energy customers and communities. Ensure communication and exchange of information to present a positive corporate image, both internally and externally. Keep management informed of issues that might impact the work environment.
Coordinate and provide direction in conjunction with key entities for effective outcomes.
Promote safe working habits and enforce all safety rules and regulations of Midwest Energy, Inc. Lead by example in safety compliance and take corrective action on safety violations, defective equipment, and any other practice that may adversely affect a safe working environment.