Controller

Location / Base of Work:

West Durrington, West Sussex

Employment type:

Fixed Term Contract

Closing date:

20 Oct 2021

Description:

Why Water?
Without water, life as we know it would be impossible. Every day, we rely on it for drinking, washing and cleaning. It helps create the energy we need for heat and light. It’s also essential to the products we enjoy and the natural world we depend upon.
Yet the South East faces a future of more people and less water. Our population is growing fast, and climate change is bringing greater risk of both drought and flooding.
In the water industry, your work will help to address these challenges and give people access to sustainable, high-quality water and wastewater services for decades to come.
The South East is also home to over 700 miles of coastline, two National Parks, four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and some of the world’s rarest chalk streams. As well as working within these breath-taking environments, your activities will help preserve them for generations to come.

Why Southern Water?
Each day, over four million people across Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight count on us for their essential water or wastewater services. Our work is vital, because we’re providing water for life.
Do you want to make a difference? At Southern Water, you work will help to enhance health and wellbeing, protect and improve the environment and sustain the economy. You’ll also play an important role in helping us deliver a resilient water future for the South East.
Are you a natural collaborator with a strong moral compass and high standards? If so, you’ll fit right in. Everything we do is underpinned by three values: succeeding together, doing the right thing and always improving.
Do you want to bring your authentic self to work every day? We do too. That’s why we’re building an inclusive culture and are proud to offer equal opportunities regardless of age, cultural background, disability, gender, marital status, nationality, political belief, race, religion or sexual orientation. We believe the unique perspectives and experiences each of us brings make us stronger.

About the Role:
Job Title: Controller (Shift working role 24/7)
Location: Durrington, West Sussex
Fixed Term Contract : Permanent – 6 x roles available
Hours: Shift working
Tues - Thurs (3 on) days 7 off
Fri-Mon (4 on) days 7 off
Tues - Thurs (3 on) nights7 off
Fri-Mon (4 on) nights 7 off

Standby also required on a rotation throughout the 7 off

Salary: Up to £28,500 per year depending on skills and experience

Role Overview:
Expansion to our control room is taking place at Southern Water and we are looking to recruit 6 x permanent roles of a Controller, specifically working on freshwater controlling. The role receives alarm signals through IT systems and the Controller is responsible for validating the alarm, determining the priority, raising to a work order status and identify the best skilled resource to mobilise to minimise environmental or customer impact as well applying knowledge and understanding of the pumping network to move water through remote control to ensure water is available in service reservoirs.


Summary of the role
• Responding to remote asset failure alarms and remotely controlling some assets to control flows and reservoir levels across our network
• Act as the first line of defence to protect our environment and customers by quick response
• Work with business areas to recover alarms to a ‘clear’ state
• Working with core business areas to mobilise and coordinate first responders
• Handle customer contact and setting expectations by keeping customers informed with the progress of their enquiry overnight
• Prioritising work orders and ensuring the right people, parts and equipment are coordinated to minimise environmental impact
• Proactively undertake pumping changes to move water to the most needed reservoir
• Play an active role in ensuring water is in the right place at the right time

Person Specification
The Water Controller position is a fantastic opportunity for a, responsive, forward thinking and strong communicator who thrives and delivers in a high-pressure environment and has the ability to analyse a range of trends and data to make fast and informed decisions when presented with alarm signals and alerts. If you have experience in a control room environment or quick paced, decision-making type role, this could be the place for you.
It is essential that the right candidate has an eye for noticing trends and identifying failures. This role is essential for keeping waste water pollution to a minimum. No utilities or water management experience is necessary but these would be beneficial. The successful candidate will have strong attention to detail, be IT literate with good Microsoft Skills. A strong, analytical mind is essential to have the ability to make key decisions based on the data sets, in order to effectively prioritise the response based on the level of risk. The role is fast-paced therefore you would be required to be a quick learner.

Skills and Experience
Commercial Effectiveness and Business Expertise
• Understanding of the operational / infrastructure environment within Water & Waste Water. (Desirable)
• Has the commercial awareness of costs / charges of suppliers / contractors in order to aid the implementation of effective solutions (overpumping vs. tankering)
Risk & Compliance
• Ability to quickly analyse multiple sources of information and make sound business decisions based on assessment of risk and potential impact. To have a good knowledge of compliance requirements both with Water & Waste Water. An awareness of OFWAT, DWI & EA and other regulatory requirements. Identify any potential or actual compliance / pollution / water quality risk and determine appropriate course of action.
Business Systems
• Previous operational experience in either Water / Waste Water role is desirable.
• Experience in Control Centre environments and operational systems (such as SCOPE X, Ellipse, CSMS & Mapping

Privacy Statement:
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered

By submitting your details to this position at Southern Water, you are also agreeing to share your details with Gattaca PLC who are the managed service provider for all recruitment with the Southern Water Business. Should you wish to see the Gattaca PLC privacy policy please go to https://www.gattacaplc.com/help/privacy-statement