Ami Administrator & Application Support Analyst

$70,030 - $94,000 / year
Job Summary (Overall Purpose of the Position)
The purpose of the AMI Administrator & Application Support Analyst is to oversee selection, design, development, implementation, administration, and on-going support of technology associated to AMI supported applications, AMI supported systems, the FlexNet Communication Network and Corporate software applications. The position ensures that AMI, FlexNet and Corporate software related improvement opportunities are vetted, coordinated, and successfully implemented. The administrator will work with the internal departments and external resources to ensure technology solutions are on the current release or version, operable, effective, and efficient.
Job Duties - Responsibilities - Tasks
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and FlexNet Communication Network Tasks

1. Perform technical review, acceptance testing and implementation for software and firmware upgrades for AMI related systems and associated tools and equipment.
2. Manage and perform all over-the-air firmware upgrades and over-the-air configuration changes to all FlexNet endpoint devices (meters, modules, gateways, sensors, etc.).
3. Administer, manage, and monitor all AMI and FlexNet Communication Network functions between FlexNet endpoint devices (meters, modules, gateways, sensors, etc.), base radios and Head-End system(s) (RNI & NI). Identify, triage, and resolve communication failures impacting functions such as meter reads, data collection, demand response, etc.
4. Administer, manage, and monitor all AMI and FlexNet data gathering hierarchy, radio configuration transmit settings, radio configuration power quality settings, buddying settings, interval read settings, base station reporting, network saturation, communication statistics and message volume and optimize configurations as necessary.
5. Administer, manage, and triage AMI and FlexNet Communication Network Alerts and Alarms related to communication issues and settings, system health and the health of endpoint devices (meters, modules, gateways, sensors, etc.).
6. Administer and manage the AMI system including the FlexNet Communication Network to ensure daily schedules are run. Ensure read schedules run in accordance with billing schedules, data collection services and data delivery services.
7. Administer, manage, monitor, and triage VEE failures associated to read accuracy, system health and data integrity failures.
8. Ensure Meter Data Management rules are operational and running properly.
9. Manage the day-to-day AMI system health issues and activities including querying data from the AMI Head-End (RNI & NI) and Meter Data Management system to identify and mitigate issues.
10. Administer, configure, manage, maintain, and monitor all system integrations facilitating data exchange with the AMI system and other related systems. Triage all problems and issues associated to integration and data exchange.
11. Provide functional expertise and training to the end user on AMI related software applications.

Software Application Administration, Support, Maintenance and Data Analytics Task

1. Identify, evaluate, develop, install, test and maintain software needs for corporate computer applications as directed.
2. Manage and facilitate the technical review, installation, acceptance testing, and deployment of software upgrades and patches as directed.
3. Design, configure, manage, maintain, and monitor all system integrations facilitating data exchange between related systems.
4. Participate, coordinate, and communicate The Change Management Process associated to the maintenance and security of the software systems.
5. Design and develop customizations and data analytics queries, dashboards, displays and reports.
6. Manage the supported software solutions to ensure daily processing schedules are run. Manage the day-to-day system health issues and activities including querying data from the various software systems to identify and mitigate issues.
7. Administer and manage user access privileges and security settings associated to corporate software applications and the AMI system including menu access, available functions and features.
8. Manage and facilitate the resolution of questions, defects, and issues with the associated software vendor when applicable.
9. Provide functional expertise and training to the end user on software applications.

Cyber Security

1. Coordinate with IT Security Administrator to develop and implement best practice cyber security standards utilizing the Critical Security Controls framework developed by the Center for Internet Security.
2. Adhere to and promote best practice cyber security standard work habits.

Education and Experience

1. Bachelor's degree in computer science, data processing or a related technical field. Alternatively work experience and/or a combination of education and work experience will be accepted.
2. Five years' experience working in an IT Department with responsibilities associated to maintaining software operation.
3. Knowledge of electric or gas utility industry is preferred.
4. Experience as an Application Support Analyst, AMI Administrator or similar position is preferred.
5. Technical writing experience is desirable, but not required.

Key Competencies

1. Demonstrated technology skills in design, structure, implementation, and use of enterprise software applications.
2. Demonstrated skills utilizing technology platforms, database utilities and reporting tools including Linux, SQL, and Cognos.
3. Demonstrated skills managing and administering an AMI system, including the AMI FlexNet Communication Network.
4. Demonstrated skills and understanding of metering telecommunications.
5. Understanding of metering configuration associated with the metrology.
6. General knowledge and understanding of IT acumen associated to Networking, Telecommunications, PC Support and Database Administration.
7. General knowledge and understanding of IT acumen associated to best practice ITIL standards including Change Control and IT Service Desk.
8. Employee should be able to acquire, within a reasonable time, an understanding of basic utility operations, rates, billing and collection regulations, and other policies and procedures affecting customers.
9. Ability to interface effectively and establish effective working relationships with the user community (employees), cross-functional team members, managers, software vendors and consultants.
10. Must hold and maintain a valid Kansas Driver's License.

Posting Close Date: May 15, 2023
Equal Opportunity Employer