Job at a glance
Are you an experienced operational decision-maker seeking a high-oversight role in network resilience? If you are ready to command operational control systems, safeguard uncompromised water quality, and protect thousands of customers from unplanned outages, this is where your expertise makes an immediate, high-visibility impact. Operating within the Central Operations team, the Network Controller serves as the authoritative focal point for real-time network stability, contingency execution, and emergency response across the water distribution network.
This critical, high-oversight position demands advanced technical judgment to manage real-time hydraulic applications, mitigate Water Quality (WQ) risks, and safeguard stringent regulatory performance targets (including DWI standards, DG2, DG3 and C-mex metrics). The successful candidate will leverage data-driven intelligence and operational control systems to eliminate unplanned outages, optimise field resource deployment, and preserve service resilience during complex operational events.
Shift Pattern and Hours: This role requires an initial 3-month training period working Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. Post Training Shift Pattern. Weekly alternating day and night shifts for 4 weeks, followed by 2 full weeks off. Day Shift: 06:45 - 19:00 Night Shift: 18:45 - 07:00 Work-Life Balance: You only work 14 days every 6 weeks (averaging 28 hours per week). Main Responsibilities Network Monitoring & Control Continuously monitor and evaluate network flow and pressure trends to pre-emptively identify operational risks and prevent service disruptions.
Establish and maintain a 'single source of truth' for all network activity, ensuring real-time visibility, accuracy, and alignment across operational teams. Apply water hydraulic principles to develop and implement network rezones in real-time to manage demand or bypass faults. Treat customer contacts as network intelligence and investigate whether apparently isolated contacts indicate a wider issue.
Ensure operational resilience by maintaining, testing and seamlessly executing robust contingency plans when network incidents occur. Incident Management & Emergency Response Oversee field teams and resources, specifically during night shifts, to ensure a coordinated response to bursts or failures. Manage the network specifically to safeguard DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) targets and minimise property minutes (DG2/DG3).
Act as the primary focal point for the management of emergency interruptions and unplanned outages. Risk Mitigation & Compliance Complete Water Quality risk assessments for all network activity and accurately recording valve operations to prevent contamination or discolouration. Review Distribution activities to ensure robust mitigation strategies and contingencies are in place before work begins.
Provide an additional layer of operational assurance by reviewing all planned and emerging work via the OMS system from a whole-network and customer-impact perspective. Communication & Stakeholder Liaison Log all event details to facilitate 'wash-up' reports (post-incident reviews) to ensure root causes are identified and operational learnings are captured. Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities.
The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time. Good standard of secondary education and able to demonstrate a good standard of numeracy, literacy and IT skills. Ability to use data to make informed operational decisions and perform proactive monitoring. Proven ability to work effectively under pressure. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively liaise across multiple departments and supporting field teams.
Proficiency in industry-specific software, including SCADA and GIS Prior experience within the utilities or water sector. A good understanding of hydraulic principles and t