Specialist, Control Systems

Basic Function

The Control Systems Specialist has primary responsibility for supporting the DCS regulatory controls, advanced control applications, DCS graphics, plant master alarm database, and Aspen IP21 tag maintenance within their assigned operating unit. 

Roles & Responsibilities

•    Acts as first point of contact for Operations on control-related issues, communicating with and supporting control engineers, systems specialists, and technologists as needed. 
•    Monitors KPIs for alarm management, APC performance, loop monitoring, and proactively engages operations as needed to address performance issues.  Communicates with and involves process control engineers as needed for complex and/or recurring issues. 
•    Coordinates with control and unit engineers to develop and implement formal and informal training associated with control system changes.  
•    Provides technical assistance and guidance to operations concerning the key principles and use of advanced control applications.   
•    Supports control engineers in driving APC application utilization through timely monitoring and operational support. 
•    Analyzes and resolves base level control and advanced control application problems, including diagnostic troubleshooting, loop tuning, and monitoring of applications to ensure problems are quickly and properly corrected.  
•    Responsible for control configuration and graphics, and ensuring MOC process is followed. 
•    Owns and manages the master alarm database configuration in Plant State Suite Software (PSS)
•    Monitors DCS health.
•    Maintains Aspen IP21 tag configuration on the Process Control Network 
•    Supports capital projects to ensure capital assignments are completed on time and under budget.   
•    Manages applicable portions of major capital projects, as related to process control. 
•    Supports DCS Obsolescence and Long-Range Plans(LRP).
•    Supports FAT and SAT to validate project deliverables.
•    Provides support for unit turnaround and startups as appropriate 
•    Owns the calculation and reporting of control-related KPI metrics. 
•    Collaborates with operations to drive attainment of site performance metrics as measured by KPIs for alarm management and APC. 
•    Knowledgeable in policies and procedures to execute the CVO site strategy in a safe and environmentally responsible manner  with a GoalZero mindset.
•    Creates MOCs and leads evaluations for control system and alarm changes.  
•    Completes assigned MOC and action items (in Intelex), per procedure in a timely manner.
•    Provides technical expertise in PSM activities which could include Alarm Management, PHA, MOC, Safety Critical Equipment/Variables, Incident Investigations, SSD work process, etc. 
•    Assures Operational Excellence and HSE concerns and/or events are escalated and investigated appropriately in a timely manner. 
•    Conducts OE-Self assessments / process safety audits 
•    Facilitates and drive alarm rationalizations
•    Provide necessary support to facility siting projects. 

Min. Qualifications

•    High School Diploma or GED required
•    Must have a minimum of 7 years of industry experience in Control Systems Engineering (CSE)
•    Working knowledge of process control, computer networking systems, or programmable logic controllers is required.
•    Individual must be capable of planning and managing the work of a small group of resources, both internal and external that may be involved in the installation, repair, diagnostic testing or upgrade of the process control systems.

Preferred Qualifications

•    Associates degree in a related field is preferred.
•    10 years of industry experience in Control Systems Engineering (CSE), Operations, or I&E.
•    Experience with configuration and programming in Emerson Delta-V or Honeywell TPS/Experion process control systems.
•    Working knowledge of batch process control systems.
•    Working knowledge Delta V or Honeywell hardware and I/O configuration.
•    Prior experience in DMC AspenTech advanced process control.

Competencies