Systems Administrator A

📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Systems Administrator A
• Company: FirstEnergy
• Location: Akron, OH, United States
• Job Type: On-site
• Category: Server Administrator
• Date Posted: 2025-06-20
• Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
• Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

The Systems Administrator A role at FirstEnergy focuses on managing and developing the Dx SCADA platform and related systems, ensuring a cohesive and reliable Distribution Management System (DMS). This position requires a strong background in SCADA systems, real-time architectures, and data management. The ideal candidate will have experience with GE eterra systems and a proven track record of implementing major IT software projects or upgrades.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

📝 Enhancement Note: The following responsibilities are tailored to server administration and web infrastructure roles, with a focus on SCADA systems and data management.

• System Administration: Ensure high availability and reliability of the Dx SCADA systems, managing real-time architectures, databases, and networking technologies to support distribution operations 24/7.
• Software Management: Support GE eterra modules, manage third-party vendor software, and maintain interfaces between software components. Manage testing, deployment, and security administration tasks for software upgrades.
• Data Management: Support data extraction, transformation, and analysis using GE eterra tools and PERL scripts. Develop queries and reporting solutions to meet customer requirements.
• Communications: Support real-time SCADA communications via Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and work with EMS communications hardware and IT Network groups to ensure robust, redundant, and real-time system and data collection architectures.
• Problem Solving: Troubleshoot functionality, solve complex problems, and collaborate with other IT personnel to identify and resolve issues.
• Documentation: Create and maintain system documentation and procedures to ensure governance and standards. Utilize version control in configuration and development activities to track changes.
• Team Collaboration: Actively engage in complex technical discussions to advance Dx SCADA platforms and ensure they remain highly available, redundant, and performant. Clearly communicate with peers and department leadership in both written and oral mediums.
• Training and Development: Actively participate in training activities, including training at remote vendor locations as required by supervision. Execute work to ensure on-scope, on-schedule deliveries with excellent attention to detail.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Information Systems Management, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technologies, or a similar related technical discipline is required. Equivalent experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Required: A minimum of 2 years of experience with GE eterra systems, including Habitat, Platform, Control, Source, and associated tools. A minimum of 4 years of experience architecting, developing, or administrating in a major SCADA vendor’s platform that is not the eterra system.
• Preferred: Experience with IT software development life cycles, IT general controls, security, network, integration, dynamic routing protocols, MPLS transport systems, firewall ruleset management, Active Directory integration, databases, computer programming or scripting skills, electrical background in Power Systems Engineering or Communications Engineering, DNP3.0 SCADA protocol, RS232, RS485 communications, and industry standard SCADA Commissioning practices.

Required Skills:

• Systems Administration (SCADA, Real-time Systems, Database Management)
• Scripting (PERL, etc.)
• Troubleshooting
• Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Security Administration
• Configuration Management
• Vendor Management
• Project Implementation
• Technical Documentation
• Problem Solving

Preferred Skills:

• IT Software Development Life Cycles
• IT General Controls
• Security, Network, Integration
• Dynamic Routing Protocols, MPLS Transport Systems
• Firewall Ruleset Management
• Active Directory Integration
• Databases (Habitat, Oracle)
• Computer Programming or Scripting Skills
• Electrical Background (Power Systems Engineering or Communications Engineering)
• DNP3.0 SCADA Protocol
• RS232, RS485 Communications
• Industry Standard SCADA Commissioning Practices

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• SCADA System Administration: Demonstrate your ability to manage and maintain SCADA systems, highlighting your experience with GE eterra systems and other major SCADA vendors.
• Data Management: Showcase your skills in data extraction, transformation, and analysis using relevant tools and scripts. Highlight your ability to create queries and reporting solutions.
• System Documentation: Provide examples of system documentation and procedures you have created and maintained, emphasizing your attention to detail and commitment to governance and standards.
• Problem-Solving: Include case studies or examples of complex problems you have solved, demonstrating your ability to troubleshoot functionality and collaborate with other IT personnel.

Technical Documentation:

• Code Quality: Demonstrate your commitment to code quality, commenting, and documentation standards in your portfolio projects.
• Version Control: Showcase your use of version control in configuration and development activities to ensure tracking during development.
• Testing Methodologies: Highlight your understanding and application of testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques in your portfolio projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 per year (based on experience and location)

• Benefits:
  • Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
  • Pension Plan and 401(k) Savings Plan with matching employer contribution
  • Skills Development Training with tuition reimbursement

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and after-hours support for 7x24 operations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

• Industry: Energy and Utilities
• Company Size: Large (24,000+ employees)
• Founded: 1906
• Team Structure: The Dx SCADA Systems team focuses on ensuring a world-class SCADA system for use by Distribution Operations. The team works collaboratively with other IT personnel and distribution operations teams.
• Development Methodology: The team follows Agile methodologies, focusing on ensuring a high level of reliability and availability of the Dx SCADA systems.

Career & Growth Analysis:

• Web Technology Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience)
• Reporting Structure: The Systems Administrator A reports to the Dx SCADA Systems team lead and works collaboratively with other IT personnel and distribution operations teams.
• Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the reliability and availability of the Dx SCADA systems, supporting distribution operations 24/7.

Work Environment:

• Office Type: On-site, with a preferred work location in Akron, OH
• Office Location(s): Akron, OH, United States
• Workspace Context: The workspace is collaborative, with a focus on ensuring a cohesive and reliable DMS. The team uses virtual technologies to work with remote co-workers and supports 7x24 operations.
• Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and after-hours support for 7x24 operations.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Technical Preparation: Brush up on your knowledge of GE eterra systems, SCADA communications, real-time architectures, and data management. Familiarize yourself with the company's IT software development life cycles and general controls.
2. Portfolio Review: Prepare a portfolio showcasing your experience with SCADA system administration, data management, and problem-solving. Highlight your ability to create and maintain system documentation and procedures.
3. Technical Challenge: Be prepared to discuss your experience with SCADA systems, real-time architectures, and data management. Demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems and collaborate with other IT personnel.
4. Company & Culture Fit: Research FirstEnergy's company culture, values, and mission. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company's long-term goals and growth opportunities for the Dx SCADA Systems team.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

1. Live Demonstration: Prepare a live demonstration of your ability to manage and maintain SCADA systems, highlighting your experience with GE eterra systems and other major SCADA vendors.
2. Code Walkthrough: Prepare a code walkthrough of your portfolio projects, emphasizing your commitment to code quality, commenting, and documentation standards.
3. Problem-Solving: Include case studies or examples of complex problems you have solved, demonstrating your ability to troubleshoot functionality and collaborate with other IT personnel.

ATS Keywords:

• Systems Administration, SCADA, Real-time Systems, Database Management, Scripting, Troubleshooting, Communication, Team Collaboration, Security Administration, Configuration Management, Vendor Management, Project Implementation, Technical Documentation, Problem Solving, IT Software Development Life Cycles, IT General Controls, Security, Network, Integration, Dynamic Routing Protocols, MPLS Transport Systems, Firewall Ruleset Management, Active Directory Integration, Databases, Computer Programming or Scripting Skills, Electrical Background, DNP3.0 SCADA Protocol, RS232, RS485 Communications, Industry Standard SCADA Commissioning Practices

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Systems Administrator A position:

1. Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience with SCADA system administration, data management, and problem-solving. Ensure your portfolio demonstrates your ability to create and maintain system documentation and procedures.
2. Resume Optimization: Optimize your resume for web technology roles, emphasizing your experience with SCADA systems, real-time architectures, and data management. Highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments.
3. Technical Interview Preparation: Brush up on your knowledge of GE eterra systems, SCADA communications, real-time architectures, and data management. Prepare for technical challenges and company & culture fit interviews.
4. Company Research: Research FirstEnergy's company culture, values, and mission. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company's long-term goals and growth opportunities for the Dx SCADA Systems team.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.