Control Center Operator

The Control Center Operator is responsible for monitoring pressures, flows, and other factors, as well as operating various devices in order to control the distribution of water supply through the water distribution system from a control center. This role also monitors and controls the operation of facilities in the wastewater collection system.

Essential Functions

Level l:

- Operates the water distribution system in Auto, Manual, and Energy Management Control modes

- Monitors computers for power distribution across both distribution and collection systems

- Monitors alarms to ensure the maintenance of proper pressure and water levels and records data at regular intervals in accordance with a predetermined schedule

- Monitors operational trends of all water distribution and wastewater collection system facilities and maintains daily logs and records problems and actions taken

- Operates water distribution pumps and valves to maintain water supply and water quality

- Monitors weather conditions to anticipate the potential impacts to the water and wastewater systems and prepares these systems to minimize these potential effects

- Operates remote controlled valves at dam sites to maintain minimum permitted flows and to maintain viable fisheries below dams

- Monitors flows, levels, and other features of the wastewater collection system and water distribution system

- Initiates emergency procedures by notifying appropriate employees in cases of unusual conditions and malfunctions of the system

- Confers regularly with fully licensed operator to optimize operations of the water distribution system

Level II:

- Conducts control center operations-based on research of scheduled and unscheduled shut downs, plant flow rates, power consumption and power outage notifications, and weather impacts on system operations, preparing these systems to minimize these potential effects

- Monitors and evaluates operational trends of all water distribution and wastewater collection system facilities and detects unusual performance

- Determines and directs the water production rates and flows from the two water treatment plants

- Monitors energy pricing and electricity supply conditions and makes operational decisions to minimize costs

- Uses energy management software to minimize electric costs and makes recommendations for upgrades

- Initiates emergency procedures by notifying appropriate employees in cases of unusual conditions and malfunctions of the system

- Assesses lab sample site trends for WSSC Water Chlorine requirements and interprets chlorine/bacteriological site maps

- Verifies data and makes corrections to WSSC Water’s record systems

- Confers regularly with supervisor to optimize operations of the water distribution system

- Remotely operates wastewater pumps during unusual flow conditions

- Assists in determining when to activate the Rock Creek Wastewater Storage Facility

- Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business

Level III:

- Trains Control Center Operators Level I & II and Water Distribution Technicians Level I & II

- Performs high level operation of the Control Center. Acts as a subject matter expert regarding the water distribution system

- Works with the Systems Control management to make changes and upgrades to the operating system

- Initiates emergency procedures by notifying appropriate employees in cases of unusual conditions and malfunctions of the system to include the water distribution and wastewater collection systems and reservoir and dam operations

- Reviews shutdown requests and other pipeline impacts to recommend a way of moving water within the distribution system without compromising water pressure or quality

- Monitors the performance of the water distribution system during off shifts. Follow-ups to research and resolve problems

- Locates plans, generates, and plots maps of the distribution system to include pipelines, valves, zones and other appurtenances. Works with Utility Services to help research, analyze and resolve pressure complaints

- Works within the MMIS / TEAMS to research work order histories and create work orders

- Writes procedures for and participates in the assessment of Level I and Level II skills in the Career Ladder as directed

- Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business

Other Functions

Level I:

- Collects water samples in emergency circumstances

- Performs other related duties as required

Level II:

- Determines pressure calculations and valves for shutdowns using EGIS tools

- Performs laboratory testing at specific test locations and conducts sampling pertaining to chlorine concentrations per knowledge of MDE regulations

- Uses TEAMS to find parts in WSSC Water warehouses and initiate work orders for emergency work

- Performs other related duties as required.

Level III:

- May be required to act as the Section Manager in his/her absence

- Collects water samples in emergency circumstances

- Performs other related duties as required

Work Environment And Physical Demands

Requires sitting for an extended period of time

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Level I:

- Knowledge of the basic principles of hydraulics and the operation of the water and sewer system

- Ability to utilize EGIS to identify contour lines, zone borders, and zone boundaries and read maps and plans to include ADC maps and engineering drawings, pipeline schematics

- Ability to provide knowledge on regulations pertaining to the distribution system, maximum chlorine concentrations and contact time

- Ability to read monitoring equipment and to maintain a daily log of operation and generate trend graphs

- Ability to recognize and respond to unusual conditions in the water and wastewater systems and exercise judgment effectively in making decisions in accordance with established procedures and guidelines

- Ability to perform with limited supervision and/or written procedures

- Basic knowledge of mathematics and algebra

- Ability to effectively handle difficult situations during emergencies

- Ability to relay messages and interpret information from computer screens to employees in the field

- Collects lab samples for analysis and calculations of parameters needed for the water distribution system such as chlorine levels, bacteriological, pH, and VOC

- Ability to use basic computer software and internal applications, i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, FIT, LMS, PMP+, eGIS and Wonderware

Level II:

- Ability to generate work orders in MMIS to report SSOs and respond to low chlorine levels in the distribution system

- Ability to provide knowledge on Drinking Water Standards, Sanitary Sewer Overflows, and parameters for chlorine contact and discharge

- Ability to read maps and plans to include ADC maps and engineering drawings, pipeline schematics

- Ability to read monitoring equipment and to maintain a daily log of operation

- Ability to recognize and respond to unusual conditions in the water and wastewater systems and exercise judgment effectively in making decisions in accordance with established procedures and guidelines

- Ability to perform with limited supervision and/or written procedures

- Basic knowledge of mathematics and algebra

- Ability to effectively handle difficult situations during emergencies

- Ability to relay messages and interpret information from computer screens to employees in the field

- Intermediate Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook skills

- Ability to use internal applications, i.e., FIT, LMS, MP+, eGIS, and Wonderware

Level III:

- Knowledge of the basic principles of hydraulics and the operation of the water and sewer system

- Ability to read maps and plans to include ADC maps and engineering drawings, pipeline schematics

- Ability to use eGIS to complete research

- Ability to read monitoring equipment and to maintain a daily log of operation

- Ability to recognize and respond to unusual conditions in the water and wastewater systems

- Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions in accordance with established procedures and guidelines

- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public

- Ability to perform with limited supervision and/or written procedures

- Basic knowledge of mathematics and algebra

- Ability to effectively handle difficult situations during emergencies

- Ability to relay messages and interpret information from computer screens to employees in the field

- Intermediate computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

- Ability to use internal applications, i.e., FIT, LMS, PMP+, eGIS, and Wonderware

Minimum Education, Experience Requirements

Level I:

- High School diploma or equivalent - 1+ years experience as a Water or Wastewater Plant Operator, Facility Technician, or electrical/mechanical experience at a plant, water/wastewater operational facility, water distribution or wastewater collection system

Level II:

- High School diploma or equivalent - 3+ years experience as a Water or Wastewater Plant Operator, Facility Technician, or electrical/mechanical experience at a plant, water/wastewater operational facility, water distribution or wastewater collection system

Level III:

- High School diploma or equivalent - 4+ years experience as a Water or Wastewater Plant Operator, Facility Technician, or electrical/mechanical experience at a plant, water/wastewater operational facility, water distribution or wastewater collection system

- 2 of the 4 years of experience must be in the WSSC Water control center