Industrial Control System; ICS Operations Specialist

Industrial Control System (ICS) Operations Specialist

The Industrial Controls System (ICS) Operations Specialist will serve as the Utilities Division’s lead for equipment-level control systems, automation, and operational data connectivity. This role ensures that all changes to control configurations, communications pathways, or system integrations are made in accordance with Industrial Control System / Operational Technology (ICS/OT) network requirements in order to maintain equipment performance, safety, and operational continuity.

The position is focused on industrial control systems (ICS), automation programming, and SCADA integration, ensuring reliable and resilient operation of mission-critical utility systems. The Industrial Controls Operations Specialist will enable the Utilities Division to independently manage, troubleshoot, and optimize equipment systems while maintaining close coordination with the organization’s IC S/OT network owners to ensure secure and compliant system connectivity.

Importantly, this role will act as the primary coordination point between the Utilities Division and the sister organizations responsible for broader network and data infrastructure. The Industrial Control System Operations Specialist will ensure that any network or communications changes are fully evaluated and documented for their impact on equipment operations and system behavior before implementation.

By combining deep operational knowledge with strong collaboration skills, this position provides the direct, 24/7/365 support and technical insight necessary to maintain safety, reliability, performance, and integrity of mission‑critical utility systems.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Operational Controls Oversight:
  Configure, program, and maintain industrial control systems (ICS) to ensure stable, safe, and predictable equipment operation.
• System Impact Awareness:
  Assess and document how control logic or communication pathway changes affect equipment performance, operator workflows, and overall system reliability.
• SCADA and Data Integration:
  Develop and maintain reliable wired and wireless connections between equipment and supervisory control systems to ensure continuous operational visibility.
• Coordination and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Serve as the Utility Division liaison to work collaboratively with other groups to ensure network connection points are requested and established as needed and to ensure that equipment‑level control systems are properly connected, configured, and supported through these established connection points.
• Operational Reliability and Support:
  Provide on‑call (24/7/365) troubleshooting and response for control or communication system failures to minimize downtime and maintain safe operations.
• System Design and Improvement:
  Plan, review, and implement control system upgrades, retrofits, and improvements that enhance performance, safety, and align with long‑term governance and maintainability standards set by the OT/ICS IOSD Team.
• Performance Monitoring and Analytics:
  Track and analyze control system data to forecast potential issues, identify inefficiencies, and prevent unplanned outages.
• Contract and Vendor Oversight:
  Perform TPO duties and coordinate external control system contractors, ensuring alignment with operational priorities, adherence to standards, and retention of institutional knowledge.
• Documentation and Version Control:
  Maintain detailed records of system configurations, control logic, and communication pathways to ensure traceability and operational continuity. Coordinate with the OT/ICS IOSD team for unified documentation practices and ongoing governance.
• Compliance Coordination:
  Support compliance activities by working closely with internal cybersecurity teams, ensuring that all control systems meet applicable security, reliability, and operational integrity standards under the governance and oversight of the IOSD OT/ICS Team.
• Training and Knowledge Sharing:
  Support the development of in‑house expertise by training staff on control system functions, configuration awareness, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions…