Sr Specialist Telecom and Networks

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us? 

You’ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.
We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn’t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.  

Who we are 

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province’s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province’s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario’s electricity needs – now and into the future.

 

The opportunity

Provide leadership and technical support to all aspects of Telecommunication and Network operations at the IESO; manage projects to initate technical direction and standards, user requirements, systems integration and design, reseaching and training; maintain client satisfaction and relations with technical staff; identify potential advantages to revising existing telecommunication and network technologies; provide consulting support to clients and internal staff in seach of solutions.

IESO Telecom and Network Infrastructure is composed of the following:

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES consist of data/voice communications networks supporting the following areas: collect and provide field data and control functions for power system operation, Market Participant Networks, Market Services, settlement services, call centre and office telephone systems.

COMPUTER NETWORK FACILITIES are tightly integrated and linked with other IESO and non-IESO facilities, consist of complex network of routers, switches, servers, gateways, firewalls/security devices and office WAN links.  This infrastructure uses a number of platforms and protocols (Switches, Routers, PBX, Load Balancers, VPN, Firewalls, WiFi, Web Proxy, Intrusion Prevention Systems, Advance Malware Detection, Linux, Ethernet, TCP/IP, OSPF, BGP, DNP3, ICCP, MPLS, VoIP, SIP, PRI, Network Performance Monitoring and Automation/Orchestration Scripting)

What you'll do

• Provide systems consulting support to customers and internal technical staff in order to maintain consistency.
• Provide project management support, technical leadership and system expertise to projects and teams involved in the design and support of telecommunication and network solutions and tools.
• Manage the evolution of existing telecom and network solutions and tools by implementing enchancements to provide additional functionality, problem correction, reliability and maintainability improvements.
• Respond to multi-dimensional system problems/failures and participate in the restoration of system functionality.
• Perform system administration functions, prepare procedures and/or provide support to other staff involved in system administration and support activies of telecom and network solutions.
• Perform ongoing assessments of telecom and network performance and capacity to meet current and future customer requirements.
• Research commercial products and tools which can be used in the design and/or support of information systems and tools.
• Develop procedures required for the secure operation and management of information systems and tools.  Perform ongoing audits to assess compliance or required improvements.
• Participate in the development of strategic plans and standards.
• Provide technical leadership and expertise to support compliance with standards, in support of multiple external and internal audits such as NERC CIP audit, Settlement CSAE3416 audit, and assurance audits of common infrastructure.
• Provide technical leadership and expertise to support Disaster Recovery planning, development and maintenance of system recovery procedures.  Participate in disaster recovery validation exercises.
• Stay abreast of technical trends and architectural direction within the industry to influence changes within the corporation.  Maintain current knowledge in broad areas of telecommunication and network technologies, cyber security, automation/orchestration and leading industry best practices.
• Perform other duties as required.

What you need to succeed

• Require extensive knowledge in engineering / Information Technology / Computer Science subjects and disciplines.  Specific knowledge includes server hardware, converged infrastructure, virtualization, enterprise storage and backup technologies.
• Requires fluency in both oral and written English to communicate effectively.
• Requires a knowledge of technical writing to prepare effective reports, procedures and training materials.
• This knowledge is considered to be normally acquired either through the successful completion of a four-year university education or by having equivalent education.
• Requires extensive experience in the design, development and support of computer systems.  This experience will be gained through work in the following areas:
  •  Computer system architecture, design and integration;
  •  System networking;
  •  Administration and use of standard or proprietary computer operating systems;
  •  Development of computer applications using standard development languages;
  • Support of small to large scale computer systems;
• A period of over 8 years and up to and including 10 years is considered necessary to gain this experience.

What’s in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace 
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter 
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching 
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry 
   

Deadline: April 24, 2025

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member’s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview. 

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario . When working in the office, you will be located at our Mississauga, Toronto, or Oakville location.

Join our talent community

Sign up for talent community; stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference. Discover how we use our expertise and commitment to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Ontario’s businesses and communities, and how we’re innovating to secure a stronger energy future for all Ontarians. Visit Careers at IESO and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

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