Duties 

• Operate and monitor desalination plant processes through SCADA, DCS, PLC, and other control systems.
• Monitor critical operating parameters including flow rates, pressures, temperatures, water quality indicators, chemical dosing rates, and equipment status.
• Maintain stable plant operations and optimize production performance.
• Adjust operating parameters as required to maintain process efficiency and product water quality.
• Monitor system alarms and respond promptly to operational deviations.
• Monitor performance of intake systems, pretreatment units, reverse osmosis (RO) trains, post-treatment systems, and pumping stations.
• Ensure plant operating conditions are maintained within approved operating limits.
• Identify operational trends and abnormalities through process data analysis.
• Support optimization of water recovery rates, energy consumption, and chemical utilization.
• Execute plant start-up, shutdown, and process changeover procedures as directed by the Shift Supervisor.
• Support emergency operating procedures during abnormal operating conditions.
• Monitor plant recovery activities following process interruptions or equipment failures.
• Ensure safe execution of operational changes through established procedures.
• Participate in emergency response activities when required.
• Monitor online water quality analyzers and process performance indicators.
• Ensure product water quality remains within contractual and regulatory specifications.
• Coordinate with Quality Control Technicians regarding laboratory results and process adjustments.
• Take corrective operational actions when water quality parameters approach limits.
• Report on water quality concerns immediately to the Shift Supervisor.
• Act as the Shift Supervisor during the Shift Supervisor’s absence, including leave, vacation, or other temporary absences, ensuring smooth and efficient shift operations.
• Lead, coordinate, and supervise the team during the Shift Supervisor’s absence while maintaining operational standards, safety requirements, and company policies.
• Prepare, review, and submit operational reports, including but not limited to shift reports, incident reports, handover reports, equipment status reports, operational logs, and any other reports required by management.
• Ensure effective communication during shift handovers and promptly escalate operational issues, safety concerns, or incidents to the appropriate management.

Coordination, stakeholder & communication management 

• Maintain continuous communication with Field Operators regarding equipment status, inspections, and operational activities.
• Coordinate with Shift Supervisors regarding plant performance, alarms, production targets, and operational priorities.
• Communicate process changes and operational instructions clearly to field personnel.
• Liaise with Operations & Quality Control Technicians regarding water quality results, process conditions, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Maintenance personnel during equipment isolation, maintenance activities, and return-to-service verification.
• Notify relevant stakeholders of operational abnormalities, equipment failures, process upsets, and emergency situations.
• Participate in shift handovers and ensure critical operational information is accurately communicated to incoming operators.
• Support communication with Technical Services and Engineering personnel during troubleshooting and optimization activities.
• Maintain accurate operational records, control room logs, and communication logs for operational continuity and traceability.
• Foster effective teamwork and coordination across all plant functions to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Coordinate equipment isolation and operational clearances for maintenance activities.
• Verify system readiness before equipment handover to maintenance teams.
• Monitor plant conditions during maintenance work and operational testing.
• Support Permit-to-Work (PTW) implementation and compliance requirements.
• Verify equipment availability prior to returning assets to service.
• Follow all HSEQ policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Ensure plant operations comply with environmental permits and water quality requirements.

Policies, processes & procedures

• Follow all relevant policies, processes, and standard operating procedures so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining confidentiality and privacy of company data, as well as adhering to security and safety standards, following professional ethics and behavioral standards.
• Ensure compliance with plant operating procedures and control room protocols.
• Escalate operational, safety, environmental, and quality concerns to the Shift Supervisor.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Job qualifications and experience requirements 

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Water Treatment Technology, or related discipline.
• SCADA/DCS Operations certification is preferred.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in water desalination, water treatment, utilities, power generation, or industrial process operations.
• Experience operating SCADA, DCS, PLC, and computerized control systems.