SCADA Network Administrator

The District: 
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
 
IRWD Corporate Values 
 Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
 

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
 
The Position:
Under direct supervision, assist in the design, installation, configuration, optimization, administration, maintenance, cybersecurity protection and continuous 24/7 operation of the IRWD Industrial Control System/ Supervisory control and data acquisition (ICS/SCADA) system, computer networks and network equipment.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.  The deadline for the first review of applications is 8:00 AM on October 28, 2024.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early.  Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.  This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.   

Network and Server Infrastructure Management:

• Under the guidance of the Senior SCADA Network Administrators, deploy, upgrade, patch, monitor and maintain the network, firewall, routers, switches, IDS, IPS server, and virtualization technology.
• Monitor network and server performance and report issues for resolution.
• Configure and manage network devices and operating systems under guidance to maintain a secure infrastructure.

• Under the guidance of the Senior SCADA Network Administrators and Automation Programmers, install, configure, upgrade, patch and maintain SCADA applications and related components to support critical industrial processes.
• Troubleshoot basic SCADA-related issues and escalate complex problems to senior team members. 
• Support optimization efforts for SCADA applications as directed by senior team members.

• Assist in segmenting the network using standard security models and best practices. 
• Install and configure cybersecurity hardware and software applications as per the direction of Senior SCADA Network Administrators and Cybersecurity Analyst.
• Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and assist in penetration testing to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities.
• Monitor network traffic and server logs to identify and report potential security incidents. 
• Stay up to date with emerging threats and security best practices relevant to ICS/OT systems.

• Investigate and resolve basic network and server issues, escalating more complex issues to senior team members. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support troubleshooting efforts.
• Provide technical guidance and support to staff.

• Develop and maintain network and server documentation, including diagrams, configurations, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in change management processes and ensure all changes are properly documented, tested, and implemented in a controlled manner.
• Assist in conducting audits to ensure compliance with policies.

• Work with internal departments and external vendors on internal and capital projects.
• Train internal staff in risk and the steps required to close any security gap.
• Participate in incident response, disaster recovery planning, and business continuity exercises as a team member.
• Provide technical guidance to other team members.
• Stay abreast with current developments and regulation changes in the automation controls, information systems technologies, cybersecurity and water utility industries in order to provide updates and recommendations to management staff.

• After hours’ accessibility will be required as needed to meet District needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Comply with District work-related safety practices and attend relevant safety training.

Education:

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering or a related field is required. For degrees obtained outside the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.

• ICS Network protocols (Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT) or other relevant protocols).
• Ethernet, VLANs, VPNs, routing, and switching.
• Firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, antivirus, application controls, active directory, group policy management and security event management.
• Server hardening techniques, including security configurations, access controls, and vulnerability management.
• Server administration, Installation, configuration, backup, restore and maintenance of virtualization technologies, Windows Server and Linux distributions.

• Splunk
• Microsoft SQL and Power BI
• Aveva System Platform
• Schneider Control Expert
• PowerShell and Python Scripting
• Cisco
• Palo Alto Networks

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of office/field employees and management. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside suppliers and customers. Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.  

Mathematical Ability
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide and calculate percentages, fractions and decimals.  Ability to convert water equivalents.

Technology Ability
Proficient with the use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).  Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to use good judgment in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching and directing assigned staff.  Ability to use good judgment in decision making with customers. Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stand and stoop. Occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.

Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work in an environment that may expose employees to toxic or other materials in the field.  Exposure to elements of the weather and animals.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION
All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application.  To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.
 
New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide
 
Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert.  Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:
 
Oral Interview Examination: will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.
 
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
   
Disaster Service Worker:  In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly. 
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.