Job Title: Process Engineer
Department: VWIO
Responsible to: VWIO - Operations Manager
Prepared by: David Muldoon
Date:
A. Outcome
Success is achieved when:
- The operation of treatment plant follows ISO 9000 Procedures and Company policies are adhered to at all times.
- Water quality and quantity are maintained to required Company and statutory standards.
- All production sites are operating at optimum with proactive improvements made.
- Water quality parameters are reviewed and treatment processes are optimised and enhanced.
- Site data and other records are audited, recorded accurately and timely and follow ISO 9000 procedures.
- Reports on the progress of projects and issues arising are produced and distributed on a timely basis, are concise and have agreed recommendations.
- Health and safety procedures are followed and there are no accidents or near misses on sites.
- The risks to staff and customers of operating treatment plant are minimised.
- The cost of operating treatment plant is minimised.
- Continuous improvement is demonstrated and best practice is shared across the Company.
- All staff work as a self managed team.
- ISO 9000 procedures are maintained and improved.
- Treatment processes are re-commissioned and operating as designed, or better.
- The environment is maintained/ improved and legal obligations are met.
B. Authorities
The job holder may:
- Stop and start plant and equipment in accordance with ISO 9000 procedures and site operating manuals.
- Isolate plant and equipment locally in accordance with ISO 9000 procedures.
- Alter plant-operating parameters on accordance with ISO 9000 procedures.
- Operate treatment plant to achieve required quality and quantity.
- Make improvements to optimise the performance of production sites.
- Take operational samples and carry out sample analyses and interpretation of data.
- Monitor process plant performance.
- Call out additional staff or resources.
- Have the use of various Company vehicles when required.
- Take emergency action when required.
- Spend to a defined limit of £Xk within agreed budgets.
- Recommend expenditure above £Xk.
- Recommend improvements to operating and maintenance regimes for process plant.
- Recommend improvements to ISO 9000 procedures, guidelines and similar documents.
- Recommend safety improvements.
- Recommend Company standards, specifications and design for some items.
- Recommend authorisation of capital
- Coach, train and develop others.
- Stop contractors working in an unsafe manner.
- Ask strangers on site for identification and authorisation.
C. Competence
1. Technical
The job demands:
- A thorough understanding of water treatment processes.
- A technical understanding of the plant and equipment that are part of a water treatment process.
- Graduate calibre, with experience as Chemical Engineer or process Scientist.
- Driving skills and licence for cars/ vans.
- Advanced computer skills and willingness to learn process modelling.
- Trained in the use of hazardous chemicals.
- Trained to work in hazardous locations and confined spaces.
- Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
- The ability to work on own initiative on investigations and studies.
- Knowledge of sampling and simple bench analytical procedures.
- Experience in trending, analysis and interpretation of data.
- Ability to implement research and development findings and recommend changes.
2. Role
The job demands:
Forecasting
- Monitoring, reporting and reacting to changes in reservoir levels and supply demands.
- To be prepared to make any adjustments to plant to meet requirements.
Planning
- Planning and optimising future plant setting requirements.
- Planning, commissioning and performance testing new technology.
- Identifying the need for capital reinvestment.
- Planning and participating in standby and weekend work.
Organising
- Co-ordinating the activities of specialist staff on site.
- Liaison with Production staff and Control regarding plant availability and planned outages.
- Liaison with Supply, Engineers and Scientific Services over plant improvements.
- Project management for optimisation projects and re-commissioning.
- Co-ordinating emergency events.
- Audits.
Monitoring
- Monitoring, reporting, and reacting to water quality trends, alarms and events.
- Monitoring water quality throughout the treatment process by sampling, analysis and calibration.
- Monitoring performance for seasonal effects.
- Preventative monitoring of plant performance and trends for proactive planned maintenance.
Controlling
- Part or all of a treatment process in manual when necessary.
- Operating advanced process plant.
- Chemical loading.
- Chemical dose rates.
- Chemical backwashes and specialist cleans.
- Filter washing.
- Slow sand filter skimming and re-sanding.
- Regeneration of GAC.
- The collection of daily figures, entry onto the database, downloading and interpretation of data.
Optimising
- Analysing process trends and reviewing treatment process parameters.
- Make improvements to optimise performance of plant.
- Recommissioning, plant recovery and stabilisation.
- Trouble-shooting, problem solving and efficiency studies.
3. Personal
The job demands:
Self Management
- To work out of normal hours.
- In presenting a professional image at all times and for VIP visits to sites.
- Managing stress when working in hazardous locations and bad weather.
- Organisation when staff availability is low.
- Team working and flexibility.
Judgement
- To judge whether site conditions and plant are operating within acceptable limits.
- To judge when to consult, seek advice or implement emergency procedures.
- To judge the best action to take in emergencies.
- Providing technical advice and support.
Understanding
- To understand data from tracking sheets, instrumentation, computers, PLC's, written and oral information.
- Numerate, with the ability to perform statistical analysis and interpretation of data.
- Communications
- Excellent verbal and written skills to convey information to Operations Centre staff, treatment staff, Managers, Team Leaders, Technicians, Scientists and Engineers.
- Best practice dissemination and knowledge sharing.
- Building relationships, training and coaching others.
Motor Skills
- The operation and maintenance of equipment which requires physical and mental agility.
- Manual dexterity for chemical testing.
- The operation of computerised systems.
D. Environment
1. Decision
- A wide variety of considered and spontaneous decision making is required in an environment that varies between relaxed, busy and stressful. Clear judgement is required when working under pressure
2. Physical
- Job has to be carried out in all types of locations and at different sites from office to chemical storage area and outside sample kiosks.
- Work is carried out in all weathers, hot, cold, dry and wet and it can be physically demanding especially work in hazardous locations at height or in confined spaces.
- Manual operation of valves etc. in times of plant failure.
- Manual control of treatment process in times of plant failure.
- Normal working hours are 37; operational circumstances may require working outside of normal hours.
General
- Full training will be provided during plant start up and commissioning
- Backup of working for the largest water operator in the world
- Hours worked to be as necessary to successfully carry out the role but in any event to be no less than 37 hrs/week?
- Performance related bonus
- Contributory Pension
- 25 Days holiday
- Start date:
