Process Control & Automation Supervisor

The Process Control & Automation Supervisor, under limited supervision, leads, directs, and manages the daily operation of the Process Control and Automation (PC&A) section. Manages the Union County Water (UCW) PC&A maintenance program. Works closely with Senior O&M leadership and Superintendents to ensure the PC&A section supports the needs and overall strategic direction of the Water & Wastewater Department. Coordinates PC&A resources with the plants and the collection system to help ensure regulatory compliance. Develops maintenance plans, standard operating and maintenance procedures, staffing plans, and training plans for the PC&A maintenance program. Implements continuous improvement processes to enhance operational and maintenance strategies. Creates performance metrics and implements initiatives to achieve associated targets. Assists in budget development. Provides technical and commissioning support for in-house projects and capital delivery projects for all automation dependent processes and facilities. Oversees the use of consistent practices, policies, and standards for upgrading and maintaining control systems. Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

Manages the functionality, maintenance, and enhancement of the Process Control and Automation (PC&A) system, including all control processors, servers, human-machine interface devices, backup power systems, documentation, procedures, and related equipment and software. Creates and implements standard operating and maintenance procedures to ensure consistency in the operation. Creates performance metrics and implements initiatives to achieve associated targets.
 
Provides technical expertise and guidance for the formulation of the UCW strategic automation initiatives. Formulates policies, defines objectives, and sets service level goals for the PC&A department. Creates schedules and allocates staff appropriately; establishes priorities for resource utilization. Prioritizes work and assigns staff accordingly to keep projects and programs on track.
 
Provides budget projections, prepares annual budget requests, and controls the administration of the PC&A budget. Reviews financial reports, procurement requests, and costs for training, tools, supplies, and other expenses.  Approves purchases.
 
Directs the use of PC&A group resources (people, budget, and materials) to provide services needed to enable control and monitoring of wastewater treatment and collection processes to maintain operations in compliance with all regulatory permit requirements, and to respond effectively and efficiently to control system failures and unplanned outages.
 
Identifies staffing level requirements and skills. Recommends procurement of external resources to augment UCW staff and skills when needed.
 
Provides comprehensive PC&A staff management. Assigns roles within the group, conducts formal hiring interviews, and makes selection and promotion recommendations. Coaches, mentors, and manages performance of PC&A group managers, supervisors, and other subordinates. Evaluates personnel performance. Develops and implements technical training programs that provide the staff with necessary and up-to-date skills to deliver required services. Resolves disputes and maintains discipline and morale. Encourages a harmonious working environment. Initiates and recommends disciplinary actions within UCW policies and guidelines.
 
Reviews, evaluates, and provides input to Engineering on engineering designs, plans and specifications. Provides technical and commissioning support for in-house projects and capital delivery projects for all automation dependent processes and facilities.
 
Works closely with the Information Technology (IT) Department to ensure effective functionality of process control networks, applications, and databases. Ensures that District policies for system software and hardware licensing, cyber-security, and use are followed.
 
Manages continuous improvement and change. Assists staff in the adaptation and implementation of change and develops ideas that can solve problems, improve efficiency, reduce cost, and improve safety.
 
Serves in various roles within the UCW incident command structure during large-scale emergencies; oversees emergency response in process control related emergencies and serves as incident commander during those emergencies when necessary; provides guidance for the emergency response plans and participates in and develops crisis response drills.
 
Collaborates with other departments to assess and resolve issues involving process data collection, computation, display, archiving, report generation, and other data presentation, quality, consistency, or accuracy issues. Assists in obtaining data and preparing publication of special reports and analyses as needed.
 
Ensures that work of the PC&A group is carried out in a safe manner in compliance with applicable regulations and UCW health and safety policies and procedures. Reviews accident investigation reports, makes recommendations and takes appropriate actions, as necessary.
 
Keeps current on technology trends and new developments related to implementing processes, monitoring, controlling, networking, system security, process automation, and related topics.
 
Performs other related duties as assigned.