Detailed oriented EMS applications specialist experienced maintaining and supporting real-time System Operations Applications.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
EMS Computer System Applications, Lead
Imperial Irrigation District
El Centro, CA
03.2019 - Current
Led and coordinated the maintenance, operations, and repair of the EMS SCADA/AGC Computer System Application modules and interfaces to ensure proper functionality, system quality, availability, and reliability in support of Distribution and Transmission real-time Operations and other System Operations departments, including Engineering, Back Office, Outage Management, and Compliance & Training.
Collaborated with various business units, including Information Technology, SCADA, Telecommunications, and Operations, to streamline the maintenance and operation of the EMS Computer System. Facilitated effective communication among team members, customers, and consultants for project planning, milestone establishment, feedback provision, and clarification of roles.
Took charge as technical lead on diverse initiatives encompassing the development of custom database applications, creating EMS displays, and conducting calculations across platforms like Path 42 RAS. Effectively managed transitions to new software solutions including WPP (Reserve Sharing Group) and WebAccounting (Energy Accounting). Spearheaded the creation of a Situational Awareness display catered towards dispatchers while enhancing existing features like Cal Energy IPP Portfolio. Also played an instrumental role during the initial stages of integrating IID with EIM.
Assisted in the development, communication, execution, and monitoring of project plans for upgrades to the EMS software applications and patch implementations. Collaborated with various stakeholders to gather project requirements and effectively track progress, while ensuring adherence to timelines. Followed through variances, coordinated, and performed pre- and post-cutover testing, and ensured minimal system interruptions.
Coordinated the maintenance and operations of various tools, such as PI (Process Book, Vision, DataLink), EMS OSI Lite Client, and PMU software. These tools are utilized by departments including Transmission and Distribution Engineering and Planning, System Protection, SCADA, Telecommunications, and Marketing.
Created and delivered training sessions and presentations for System Operations staff and team members.
Computer Systems & Application Specialist II
Imperial Irrigation District
El Centro, CA
04.2015 - 03.2019
Ensured seamless functionality of EMS SCADA/AGC Computer System Application modules and interfaces through meticulous maintenance, operation, and repair efforts in support of real-time Transmission and Distribution operations.
Provided troubleshoot and support for various areas including Network Modeling tools, data telemetry issues, Automatic Generation Control, Display development, alarm management, and Database Maintenance.
Installed, configured and tested various EMS applications including AGC, SCADA, CIM, OpenNET (SE, RTCA, PF), Load Shed Restoration, Front End Processor and Historian (CHRONUS, PI).
Collaborated extensively with Telecommunication and SCADA engineering units in the coordination of EMS database updates. Facilitated the inclusion of new stations, generation, tie lines, and data points to ensure system deployments adhered to appropriate stages (Product Development, Quality Assurance and Production).
Enhanced the accuracy of the EMS Advanced Application database by incorporating updated information on equipment and facility electrical parameters, configuration, and operating limits.
Worked closely with SCADA and Telecommunication teams to address telemetry data concerns, ensuring optimal performance of Real Time Contingency Analysis and ACE calculation.
Ensured timely maintenance and updates for data exchange interfaces including WECC, RC West, neighboring utilities, Reserve Sharing Group, and Energy Accounting.
Identified and solved technical problems in real-time applications and tools for Transmission/Distribution and System Operations engineering (RTCA, SE, LSR, AGC, ACE, CIM, SCADA, FEP).
Coordinated and conducted working sessions with vendors to troubleshoot EMS application issues, ensuring successful resolution.
Managed contractor responsible for executing significant system enhancements and repairs of the EMS Computer System.
Resolved EMS computer application functionality issues for day-to-day and on-call emergency callouts (24x7) demanded by Transmission & Distribution dispatchers, Operations Engineering, Back Office, and other departments.
Streamlined department activities by suggesting and implementing improvements for site failovers (primary to backup control center operations), System Administration, RTU field-checkouts, alarming, OTS synchronization, EMS Change Request and customer support process.
Implemented enhancements to the knowledge transfer process by creating and maintaining up-to-date internal technical documentation such as SOP's, guides, checklist and forms.
Prepared and presented information, analysis results, and reports on the functionality, performance, troubleshooting, and state of the EMS computer system to management, customers, and internal staff.
Developed and delivered training sessions for internal EMS staff, equipping them with necessary skills to carry out administrative and maintenance duties of the real-time system.
Delivered training on EMS software functionality to various System Operations units, covering navigation, alarming, reporting, Historian HIS and PI, disturbance data collection, OATI functionality, NERC Operations Evidence, LSR and RAS Path 42 aspects.
Analyzed NERC version 5 transition documentation and developed internal plans to facilitate a seamless EMS transition compliant with CIP-007-R5 & CIP-004-R4, R5.
Maintained compliance as SME with assigned NERC CIP standards and actively collaborated to achieve compliance with all Cyber Security Standards. Improved generation of evidence by creating processes and participated as SME for WECC Audits on CIP standards.
Collected and organized evidence for CIP WECC Audits, effectively communicating internal processes to auditors.
Computer Systems & Application Specialist I
Imperial Irrigation District
El Centro, CA
10.2012 - 03.2015
Assisted in troubleshooting and repairing the SCADA/AGC & EMS computer system, maintaining and building displays, troubleshooting front-end processor communications, maintaining relational and real-time databases, creating custom alarms, verifying field telemetry (status, analog and accumulators), and ensuring alarm accuracy and display.
Designed and implemented custom alarms and displays for various systems including RTCA, Coachella Valley PMU data, Capacitor Banks, Substation Onelines, and Load Shed and Restoration tool.
Managed server administration for EMS systems on both Windows and Linux platforms, handling computer system design, architecture, and electronic data storage.
Analyzed, prepared, and updated CIP documentation for NERC compliance.
Electrical Engineer
Systems Technology Forum, Ltd
San Diego, CA
07.2012 - 10.2012
Provided Electrical/Systems Engineering services to U.S Government program PEO-C41 (Integration of satellite communication systems into military NAVAIR aircrafts)
Provided support in the programming, development, evaluation, and test of NAVAIR software tools.
Provided maintenance to PEO program relational database for users, aircrafts, and systems.
Assisted in the design of computer system architectures for aircraft integration.
Prepared briefings and plans for Project Management.
Assistant Engineer, Modeling & Simulation
Electrical Engineering Department, SDSU
San Diego, CA
06.2009 - 05.2011
Conducted R&D and complex mathematical analysis to analyze behavior of high frequency structures.
Performed full wave 3D electromagnetic simulation for designing high frequency electronic components like antennas, interconnects and connectors using various solution methods such as Driven Modal and Driven Terminal Mode based on design criteria.
Identified optimal simulation setup parameters including mode, meshing, and maximum number of adaptive passes, deltas, and solution frequency.
Conducted extensive simulations and generated reports to demonstrate the progress of modeling and anticipated component behaviors.
Assisted with maintaining lab databases, tracking the number of models run, their status, and computer resource usage.
Collaborated with students to generate innovative modeling optimization strategies.
Developed and implemented algorithms to simulate electric systems for modeling purposes.
Peer Tutor
Imperial Valley College, MESA Engineering Program
Imperial, CA
09.2008 - 12.2008
Implemented effective programs to enhance students' math skills during tenure at the school.
Assisted in teaching advanced math and computer science courses.
Organized and facilitated presentations to inspire students to pursue science majors.
Assisted students in developing their academic skills and strategies for success.
Electrical Engineer
Vanguard Electronics
Mexicali, Mexico
01.2007 - 12.2007
Analyzed, corrected, and interpreted manual, policies and procedures for compliance.
Delivered hardware/software maintenance support to servers/clients across the company.
Assisted with maintaining organization’s database system.
Handled and stored organization's orders and requests.
Installed, maintained, and repaired electronic testing equipment.
Performed electrical testing on specific components to verify adherence with regulatory requirements.
Understood and effectively communicated technical information to customers.
Education
M.S. in Electrical Engineering - Department of Electrical Engineering
San Diego State University
B.S. in Electronics Engineering - Engineering School, Mexico
Autonomous University of Baja California
Skills
MS Office
Data Analysis
Organizational and Time Management
Leadership
Documentation
Problem Resolution
Customer Support
Attention to Detail
System Analysis
User Training
Certification
PE in EE (E21804), California Board of Professional Engineers , 12/2016
Courses
01/2018, Grid Operations Fundamentals, WECC
06/2017, Networks and Computer Distributed Systems, Graduate Course, CETYS University
06/2015, Computer Distributed Systems Integration, Graduate Course, CETYS University
Training
07/13/13 - 12/23/23, Energy Management Systems (EMS), OSI Inc.
10/20/23, Operator Training, Desert Southwest Training Advisory Committee (DSTAC)
05/23/23 - 12/23/23, NERC Balancing Interchange and Transmission, SOS University
Timeline
EMS Computer System Applications, Lead
Imperial Irrigation District
03.2019 - Current
Computer Systems & Application Specialist II
Imperial Irrigation District
04.2015 - 03.2019
Computer Systems & Application Specialist I
Imperial Irrigation District
10.2012 - 03.2015
Electrical Engineer
Systems Technology Forum, Ltd
07.2012 - 10.2012
Assistant Engineer, Modeling & Simulation
Electrical Engineering Department, SDSU
06.2009 - 05.2011
Peer Tutor
Imperial Valley College, MESA Engineering Program
09.2008 - 12.2008
Electrical Engineer
Vanguard Electronics
01.2007 - 12.2007
M.S. in Electrical Engineering - Department of Electrical Engineering
San Diego State University
B.S. in Electronics Engineering - Engineering School, Mexico
Manager Energy Optimization, Procurement, &Resource Planning at Imperial Irrigation DistrictManager Energy Optimization, Procurement, &Resource Planning at Imperial Irrigation District
Supervisor Customer Field Operations & Services at Imperial Irrigation DistrictSupervisor Customer Field Operations & Services at Imperial Irrigation District