Position Information Department Hatfield Marine Sci Ctr (RMS) Position Title Specialist 2-Engineer Job Title Power & Data Systems Manager Appointment Type Professional Faculty Job Location Newport Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option? Job Summary The Hatfield Marine Science Center is seeking a Power & Data Systems Manager. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. This position is located in Newport, Oregon.
PacWave is a globally recognized wave energy test facility developed and operated by OSU, which provides critical infrastructure to support the national and international marine energy industries. Over the last decade, PacWave’s flagship, open ocean site, PacWave South, has been developed with over $130M in funding, primarily from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). PacWave South will serve as the only pre-permitted, grid connected wave energy test site in the U.S. and is one of only a handful of similar sites in the world.
As PacWave transitions into its operational phase, OSU is seeking a Power & Data Systems Manager to assist the PacWave team in establishing the facility as a leading global test facility, which will provide the marine energy sector with the opportunity to test and conduct research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities for wave energy systems and other technologies.
The Power & Data Systems Manager will be responsible for:
1. Management and oversight of PacWave’s power and data systems and their operations, including low and medium voltage (up to 36kV), and SCADA systems
2. Management of PacWave’s power and data systems personnel
3. Management of power and data contractors supporting PacWave operations
4. Oversight of PacWave’s network infrastructure and operations
5. Oversight of National Lab. personnel who are supporting PacWave activities
6. Coordination and support for client power and data operations
7. Oversight of testing client power and data systems
8. Evaluation of wave energy converter designs proposed by third parties.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit:
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers a with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.
Future and current OSU employees can use the to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. Key Responsibilities Operations (35%)
9. Implement and maintain power control and distribution systems, including dynamic AC/DC power management, storage, transformation, conditioning, and monitoring.
10. Manage data networks onshore and offshore, including hardware, local networks with nested firewalls, data display, storage, and archiving systems.
11. Oversee SCADA system performance and supervise technical personnel, including future hires, contractors, and existing technical staff.
12. Develop and manage budgets for power and data operations, including equipment selection, procurement, and personnel costs.
13. Supervise power and data staff.
14. Coordinate with Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (CLPUD) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
15. Coordinate client, contractor, and subcontractor operations and installations related to power and data, both onshore and offshore.
16. Provide clients with clear information on PacWave’s grid interconnection, data infrastructure, and related requirements, along with technical support for all power and data systems.
Inspection, Testing, and Preventive Maintenance (30%)
17. Manage testing, maintenance, and repairs of subsea power and data cables between the offshore test site and the shoreside Utility Connection & Monitoring Facility (UCMF).
18. Oversee inspection, testing, maintenance, and repairs of MV equipment, data networks, and SCADA systems.
Safety and Compliance (20%)
19. Review designs for new equipment to be installed at the PacWave by clients and others for compliance with appropriate standards, per PacWave SOPs.
20. Oversee inspection and testing of new equipment installed at PacWave.
21. Ensure compliance with OSHA 1910, OSHA 1926, and NFPA 70E electrical safety standards.
22. Ensure NEC and NESC compliance for MV systems.
23. Oversee lockout/tagout, voltage testing, and grounding for all MV operations.
24. Enforce PacWave’s permit-to-work and internal safety procedures.
25. Develop and maintain PacWave power and data safety procedures and protocols.
Emergency Response (5%)
26. Coordinate and manage emergency responses to diagnose failures and oversee prompt replacement of damaged components at the UCMF and along subsea and terrestrial cable systems.
27. Lead or support investigations of equipment failures, conduct root cause analysis, and recommend corrective actions.
Other Duties as Assigned(10%)
28. Support outreach and engagement of PacWave with the general public. This may involve representing PacWave at national and international conferences, workshops and meetings.
29. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Power & Data Systems Manager may be assigned other duties as needed by the PacWave Director to support program goals and operations.
What You Will Need
30. Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering, or a closely related field
31. Three years of demonstrated experience in power and data management systems
32. Demonstrated experience in project management
33. Must be self-motivated, organized, and detail oriented with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
34. Must be able to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, and take ownership of assigned initiatives.
35. Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030. What We Would Like You to Have
36. Practical experience managing, operating, maintaining and testing medium voltage electrical power equipment.
37. Working knowledge of protective relays and electrical power systems.
38. Network administration, engineering or technical experience.
39. Experience working with utility companies or federal power marketing administrations.
40. Experience working with the National Labs, the US Department of Energy, or other federal agencies and in cross-disciplinary environments.
41. A background in marine or renewable energy, with specific knowledge of the marine energy or clean energy sector.
42. Professional experience and/or qualifications in ocean engineering, marine energy, or a related field.
43. Experience with environmental sensing networks, instrument interface software, and fieldwork including offshore and seagoing systems.
44. Strong quantitative skills, excellent written and verbal communication, digital proficiency, and presentation abilities.
45. Advanced computing skills, including familiarity with MS Office Suite and Adobe, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
46. This position is located either in Newport or Corvallis, Oregon. If based in Corvallis, extensive travel to the coast will be required.
47. The position requires the ability and willingness to occasionally work outdoors in inclement/variable weather (including wet, windy and cold weather) and onboard vessels.
48. This position may require working on elevated surfaces, in confined spaces, while exposed to high noise levels, and working in areas where energy control (Lock-Out, Tag-Out) is required.
49. Occasional work beyond normal working hours and on weekends is expected.
50. The ability to lift/push/pull/carry up to 50 pounds of equipment is required.
51. PacWave maintains a 24/7 Watch Desk, which requires a Duty Officer from the team to carry a PacWave cellphone at all times and to respond to incidents and emergencies associated with PacWave facilities or operations underway at PacWave. This responsibility rotates through the PacWave team on a weekly basis. As a member of the team, the Power & Data Systems Manager will be required to act as the on-call Duty Officer on a rotational schedule every few weeks.
Pay Method Salary Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month Pay Date Last working day of the month Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $84,900 - $100,200 Link to Position Description