Sr. Analyst/Systems (SCADA)

Southwest Gas Corporation•Enterprise, NV

7h•$93,380 - $140,070

About The Position

The Senior Analyst/Systems (SCADA) is a lead contributor in the Application Services area of the Information Services department and provides task guidance in the development and maintenance of application software packages and Southwest Gas (SWG) developed systems utilizing Company standards and practices. The incumbent is responsible for supporting, installing, and maintaining the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) software applications, interfaces, and databases in a natural gas distribution environment. The ideal candidate will: perform administration and programming functions related to the SCADA suite of applications; oversee installations, configuration, and testing of new or upgraded software to ensure uniformity, performance, reliability, and security; participate in design review of extensions, upgrades, and expansions of existing platforms and systems; monitor and evaluate the technical environment to measure system performance and effectiveness, resolve and correct performance deficiencies; develop and implement preventative maintenance plans to ensure network and systems reliability and availability is maintained and operated per service level agreements; and serve as a liaison with internal departments, vendors, contractors and consultants. This position will require exceptional troubleshooting skills and the ability to provide on call after hours’ support.

Requirements

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.
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

Nice To Haves

Industry recognized certification(s) relevant to responsibilities are preferred.
Incumbents performing activities requiring government, regulatory or vendor certification must keep those certifications current.

Responsibilities

Provide service to I/S customers
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; understand external and internal business context. 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
Coordinate 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. Plan team and individual work to achieve those expectations; prepare expected documentation on a timely basis.
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.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is a condition of employment and is an essential function of the job.