Control Center Technician

The Control Center Technician is primarily responsible for coordinating and controlling movement of product within the system through operation and monitoring of computerized control equipment, constant communication with field locations, and various record keeping activities. Initiates, controls and monitors remote receipts, deliveries and product batch changes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following represents the majority of the duties performed by the position, but is not meant to be all inclusive nor prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary.

1. Complies with DOT and OSHA health, safety and environmental requirements and follows safety philosophy and procedures developed by the Company including: applicable environmental, health and safety rules, procedures, and accepted safe work practices, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and safety systems, and the reporting of workplace hazards and injury or illness arising from workplace activities; observes the workplace to identify conditions or behaviors that should be corrected and takes appropriate action.
2. Monitors and analyzes supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to determine line equipment performance, pipeline operating characteristics, batch locations, and product volume measurement.
3. Compiles, calculates, analyzes, and maintains records on product movement, product quality, batch locations, receipts, and deliveries.
4. Controls, adjusts, and plans pipeline flow conditions on a continual basis to meet required operating schedules in an efficient and safe manner.
5. Directs, controls, and monitors the delivery and change of product at remote locations utilizing SCADA controlled field equipment.
6. Operates mainline pumping units, metering system, and valves through use of SCADA controlled field equipment.
7. Evaluates alarm conditions as they occur and determines the proper course of action to correct the alarm conditions.
8. Initiates pump and delivery schedule changes, monitors tank inventories, meter counts, line pressures and temperatures.
9. Maintains accurate custody transfer records and reports.                                              
10. Provides functional instruction to operations technicians regarding product movements and safety.
11. Identifies operational problems and dispatches field personnel to problem areas.
12. Communicates with office and field operations and shipper personnel regarding pipeline operations and product movement.
13. Documents all relevant operational information during the shift and communicates all operationally significant information during shift change as per procedure.
14. Creates and uses a good sleep environment for eight (8) hours of continuous sleep between shifts.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• An Associate’s degree in a technical discipline or equivalent in experience and a minimum of two years of previous pipeline operations and maintenance experience is required. Candidates must also achieve an acceptable score on the Console Operations Basic Requirement Assessment (COBRA) exam. Must be able to work a 12-hour rotating shift days/nights.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to actively engage in safe behaviors and to understand and follow the principles and methods related to pipeline and workplace safety as established by the Company.
• Knowledge of emergency and safety procedures, policies, documentation procedures, equipment operating parameters, and all applicable DOT, EPA, FERC, DHS, and OSHA requirements.
• Ability to organize information clearly and precisely.
• Well-developed oral communication skills are required to confer with schedulers, shippers, and field personnel.
• Ability to think logically and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions.
• Well-developed mathematical, analytical and computer skills.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Skill in preparing detailed reports.
• Skill in performing detailed computations.
• Well-developed organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow through to resolve issues.
• Knowledge of SCADA system operation and equipment capabilities.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures or adhere to specific instructions.
• Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail and mental alertness for extended periods of time.
• Ability to reliably commute from home to the control room within one (1) hour.
• Knowledge of principles and methods related to the operations, maintenance, emergency procedures, and documentation required for pipeline operations.
• Ability to recognize and react to abnormal pipeline and facility conditions.
• Ability to recognize and react to communications and/or control system failures.
• Knowledge of the theories, concepts, and operation of tanks.
• Knowledge of pipeline pump and manifold operations.
• Ability to effectively work and cooperate with supervisors, co-workers and vendors.
• Ability to follow corporate policies and the directions of supervisors.
• Ability to refrain from causing or contributing to the disruption of the workplace.