EMS Engineering Manager

Position Description

Tacoma Power's Transmission & Distribution (T&D) section is looking for a Power Systems Engineering Manager to lead and supervise a team of engineers and technical specialists whom are responsible for implementation, configuration, and maintenance of Tacoma Power’s Energy Management System (EMS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software systems, Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), and associated applications. This leadership role is critical to ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of Tacoma Power’s most critical Operational Technology (OT) systems that directly support and enable T&D’s NERC certified Power System Operators to monitor and control Generation, Transmission, and Distribution equipment and resources within the Energy Control Center (ECC).
These OT systems also support regulatory compliance and operational responsibilities associated with Tacoma Power’s NERC registered functions including (but not limited to) Balancing Authority, Transmission Operator, Generator Operator, and Distribution Provider. In addition, these OT systems are a critical component that enables ongoing participation in organized wholesale power markets which are essential in providing reliable and affordable service to Tacoma Power customers. Click or tap here to enter text.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Plan and direct the day-to day activities of personnel responsible for implementation, configuration, and maintenance of Tacoma Power’s Energy Management System (EMS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software systems and associated applications.
• Manage a team of engineers and technical specialists, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Responsible for managing the training of assigned staff (including new employees and engineering interns) on all assigned EMS Engineering tasks.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide feedback on areas of improvement, areas of excellence and discussion on goal setting and accomplishments. Review with the employee how TPU and T&D Mission Statements and T&D Core Values affect the work place.
• Investigate and address personnel issues as they arise. Recommend discipline and or termination of assigned staff as necessary.
• Provide coaching, counseling, and recommend training to develop employee skills and abilities. Recognize strengths and accomplishments and provide feedback.
• Promote and maintain a culturally diverse workplace and take appropriate steps to provide employees a working environment free of harassment. Strive to resolve conflicts and set an example by adhering to T&D Core Values.
• Ensure assigned staff complete all TPU/City of Tacoma required training in addition to internal or external training necessary to achieve and maintain proficiency in assigned roles
• Establishes and maintains a culture of continuous improvement.
• Maintains effective relationships with other departments, neighboring systems and represents the company in various operating committees and forums.
• Lead or participate on interview panels for hiring new engineers.
• Review and approve timecards in SAP for all assigned personnel
• Serve as back-up for the System Operations Manager as needed or as delegated.

Work Management / Daily Operations:

• Oversee the design and implementation of Tacoma Power EMS and SCADA systems.
• Oversee the maintenance of EMS, ADMS and data historian to reflect changes brought on by various construction and maintenance activities at Tacoma Power generation, transmission and distribution facilities.
• Ensure EMS Engineering team actively monitors and validates accuracy of data from field systems such as Remote Terminal Units (RTU) from transmission and distribution substations and generation sites.
• Manages the coordination and completion of EMS and ADMS application software updates and control system configuration changes as required to support capital projects or operational requirements.
• Oversee the configuration and maintenance of Automatic Generation Control (AGC) systems to regulate the output of electric generating units in order to maintain the power system frequency, calculate the Area Control Error (ACE), ensure operations are within allowable operating limits, and control area net interchange to scheduled values.
• Manage the tuning of AGC parameters to optimize generator startup/shutdown operations and economic dispatch of units.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including IT, operations, and field engineering to ensure seamless integration and performance of control systems.
• Ensure continuous improvement of situational awareness for NERC certified System Operators by leveraging new technology and managing the development of new displays in the EMS, historian, and associated display systems.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of configuration standards for operational data related items for the EMS, ADMS and historian.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of display development standards and alarm standards both in the EMS, ADMS and historian.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of document artifacts for knowledge transfer and for knowledge base/reference.
• Oversee EMS Advanced Application database updates to reflect equipment and facility electrical parameters, configuration, and operating limits. Maintain accurate and timely data exchange as required to WECC, Peak RC, neighboring utilities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
6 years of engineering experience including 2 years as a licensed Professional Engineer and 1 year of experience at the senior, lead and/or supervisory level

*Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer
Some positions may require individuals to complete annual CIP training after employment and pass a comprehensive personal risk assessment (background check) prior to employment and every five years thereafter as required by federal regulatory requirements (NERC-CIP)

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is an almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally-owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 180,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Apply

All interested individuals mustapply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position.

Appointment is subject to references and passing a background check.

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Annual Salary: $163,030.40 - $229,548.80

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 4/21/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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