SCADA Operations Manager

Requisition ID: 46219 

Organization

Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

The SCADA Operations Manager is accountable for strategic leadership and secure operations and maintenance of critical Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) for the Engineering Services Department. This role performs analytical, advisory, and leadership functions, acting independently as senior subject matter expert, asset manager and lead for SCADA and related operational technologies. Engineering’s SCADA systems support water, sewer, fire protection, neighbourhood energy, landfill, and other essential municipal services. These systems are geographically distributed, highly complex, and critical to public safety, environmental stewardship, emergency response, and service continuity.

The role requires a high duty of care, responsiveness, confidentiality, and responsibility for ensuring system resilience, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. This position is responsible for reliable implementation and operation of critical infrastructure systems, including development of design and operation standards, preventative and proactive maintenance plans and capital replacement programs and is responsible for budget planning and cost control.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Technology (OT) and SCADA Leadership

• Directs and oversees the operation, maintenance, commissioning, lifecycle management, and enhancement of Engineering Services’ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems
• Leads a team of sub-professional and technical staff engaged in OT and SCADA engineering, operations, maintenance, software development, and communications technology
• Provides expert technical and strategic advice to internal departments and divisions on SCADA operations, maintenance, implementation and capital renewal/upgrades
• Identifies issues and finds technically sound, economically viable solutions that meet stakeholder business objectives, mitigate risk and aligns with adopted policies, framework and corporate drivers
• Develops scope of work and technical requirements for contractual agreements and equipment purchases, include RFP, ITT, RFQ and works with Technology Services, Supply Chain Management and Legal Services
• Leads the design review and acceptance process for SCADA infrastructure projects delivered by internal or external forces, ensuring commissioning with documentation and handover requirements
• Represents the City in various regional, provincial and/or national Operational Technology and SCADA industry organizations

SCADA Standards, Metrics and Documentation 

• Responsible for developing and maintaining SCADA and OT design, operations and maintenance standards in accordance with, SCADA and industrial control systems technical standards, applicable design codes, specifications, guidelines, regulatory requirements and corporate objectives
• Develops, collects and manages the retention of record drawings, system schematics, operating manuals, product information, and maintenance records
• Prepares technical specifications and system requirements
• Establishes, tracks, and analyzes operational performance goals and metrics to drive continuous improvement exercises and initiatives 
• Uses judgment and ingenuity to adapt standards and procedures to address complex, or high-risk situations

Staff and Stakeholder Management

• Leads and directs human resources activities including recruitment, assigning responsibilities, performance and attendance management, conflict resolution, discipline, coaching and mentoring
• Provides on-going review and decision making with respect to staffing levels, employee engagement and performance management 
• Works collaboratively with staff to resolve complex technical, operational and design issues
• Builds and sustains effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, external agencies, and regulatory bodies, with regular and transparent communication and engagement
• Prepares and reviews reports, recommendations, technical memoranda, and technical specifications; delivers presentations to a variety of audiences
• Develops, implements and monitors project and program management procedures and practices, quality measures, and best practices through formal coaching, mentoring, and skills and knowledge transfer to section staff

SCADA Operations and Asset Management

• Responsible for operational management of SCADA systems, including hardware and software assets, licensing, lifecycle planning, budgeting, security administration, and user access control
• Leads asset management planning, including capital replacement strategies, preventative maintenance programs, and standardization initiatives across departments and SCADA systems
• Creates and administers support services model for SCADA operation, alarm response and escalation of urgent after-hours maintenance requests
• Identifies and implements efficiency opportunities through centralized infrastructure, shared services, and standardized platforms
• Contributes to long-range financial planning, asset management and capital and operating budget development with respect to SCADA infrastructure and systems
• Develops, maintains, and updates emergency response and recovery plans related to SCADA and ICS systems
• Leads routine and proactive reviews of business processes, engineering standards and specifications, and project and program management standards, based on technical expertise and lessons learned
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Engineering; or Technology Diploma in Computer Systems or Instrumentation; or an equivalent combination of training and experience 
• Registration or eligibility for registration with Engineers and Geoscientist of BC (EGBC) as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) or with the Association of Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) as Technologist
• Minimum of 8 years experience managing SCADA, Operational Technology and/or Industrial Control Systems (ICS), preferably in the municipal field
• Experience in hiring, developing and managing professional and technical staff, preferably in a Collective Bargaining environment
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of Operational Technology, electrical instrumentation, controls and automation and data communication systems, including but not limited to:
  
  • Industrial controllers and field sensors
  • Industrial servers and networking equipment, firewalls and cybersecurity 
  • Programmable Logic Controls (PLCs), Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)
  • Radio communication equipment and networks
  • SCADA software and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs)
  • Data management and alarms management
• Considerable knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems used in the water and wastewater industry, energy systems, landfill management or industrial thermal generation and/or plant processes 
• Considerable knowledge of Industrial Communication Protocols including MODBUS, DNP3, and BACnet
• Familiarity with GE iFIX, VT SCADA, Motorola radios and RTUs, Intellution ACE and Allen Bradley PLCs and HMIs would be beneficial
• Extensive knowledge of programming and configuring SCADA serial/ethernet radios and configuring Industrial networking equipment including layer 2/3 switches and firewalls
• Extensive knowledge of electronics, electrical, IT and personal computers and server-based machines including Windows and Linux based operating systems
• Ability to program and configure SCADA systems, including Ladder Logic, Function Block Diagram Language, .NET, Visual Basic
• Ability to commission and support OT infrastructure, including SCADA and Industrial Control Systems
• Knowledge of Asset Management principles as they apply to the life cycle management of SCADA and OT infrastructure and long-term planning
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams and managing diverse stakeholder groups on complex OT programs and project portfolios
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and engage an effective work team; coach and manage employees and staff that are not directly reporting to you to meet tight timelines and project schedules 
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships with external agencies, communities and partners
• Strong conflict resolution skills with the ability to reconcile differing perspectives, develop consensus, and secure cooperation and support from both stakeholders and team members 
• An excellent track record in resolving complex automation and technical communication issues 
• Sound financial and budget management skills, including long-term planning and cost control
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects and processes with competing schedules and resources
• Ability to develop, document, review and revise formal working procedures and techniques
• Ability to innovate, lead and implement change in the workplace
• Familiar with the Canadian Electrical Code and National Building Code
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint
• Ability to respond to after hours calls in a timely manner

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date:  July, 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-091: $117,909 to $147,377 per annum

Application Close: June 14, 2026

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).More about unceded traditional territories

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