Purple Line Infrastructure Operations Center (IOC) Operator (BOC Specialist 2)

M.C. Dean, Inc•New Carrollton, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Purple Line Infrastructure Operations Center (IOC) Operator monitors, controls, and operates critical transit infrastructure systems in support of final commissioning, integrated testing, and the transition to full Operations & Maintenance (O&M) of the Purple Line Light Rail Transit system. The operator monitors automation, alarm and notification, SCADA, and CCTV systems to support safe, reliable, and compliant infrastructure operations. The role coordinates with construction teams, commissioning agents, systems integration teams, and track testing personnel, including during dynamic testing activities. The position is based at the Glenridge Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) or the Backup OMF. It requires rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by commissioning and operational needs. Duties include monitoring infrastructure status and alarms; performing SCADA electrical switching under approved procedures; supporting system integration, dynamic testing, and trial operations; protecting the public and workers; and helping transition the system to revenue service and O&M. The operator also serves as a coordination point between field teams and control center operations and maintains accurate system, switching, incident, and communication logs. This requisition is part of a pre-award process to identify and engage candidates for a position that may be awarded to M.C. Dean. Interviews and contingent offers may occur based on qualifications and suitability; formal offers will be extended only after contract award and final candidate review. The stated pay range is USD $32.54–$36.60 per hour.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 4 years of experience in one or more of the following: infrastructure operations centers, transit operations, SCADA or control room operations, electrical power systems operations, or critical infrastructure monitoring.
Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Strong understanding of operational safety principles and procedural compliance.
Good customer communication skills.
Ability to operate Windows-based computer systems and multi-monitor control room interfaces.
Ability to read and interpret electrical one-lines, operating procedures, test plans, and switching instructions.
Understanding of electrical power distribution and isolation concepts.
Knowledge of alarm management, CCTV monitoring, and incident response.
Strong communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
Ability to make real-time decisions based on incomplete or evolving information.
Ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds regularly, and to relocate a 12-foot stepladder without assistance.
Ability to work at heights up to 60 feet and climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks, and ladders.
Ability to walk, climb, lift, squat, crawl, kneel, push, pull, and reach overhead routinely and repetitively.
Good vision (corrected vision acceptable), ability to see color, and ability to hear and communicate in English.
Ability to use a standard ladder without exceeding its weight limit while carrying tools.
Ability to recognize when something is wrong or likely to go wrong; apply general rules to specific problems; combine information to form conclusions; see details at close range; and understand spoken information.

Nice To Haves

Vocational school or associate degree in a technical trade; advantageous areas include electrical, electronics, transportation, or a related technical discipline.
Experience supporting light rail or heavy rail systems.
Experience supporting traction power systems.
Experience supporting SCADA-controlled infrastructure.
Familiarity with commissioning and system integration testing environments.
Prior experience in a union or multi-contractor construction environment.

Responsibilities

Monitor real-time status of traction power, SCADA and RTU, trackside power and signaling interfaces, communications, CCTV and security, and alarm and event management systems.
Identify, acknowledge, and triage alarms, faults, and abnormal system conditions; perform system checks and operational readiness verifications before testing windows.
Maintain situational awareness of system health and operational status.
Perform SCADA electrical switching to enable track testing and commissioning, isolate or energize traction power sections, and support safe work zones and lockout/tagout boundaries.
Verify system state before, during, and after switching; follow approved procedures, safety rules, and operational directives; coordinate switching with authorized personnel and document actions.
Support system integration testing, dynamic testing, and trial operations; coordinate with construction, commissioning, track testing, traction power, signaling, and communications teams.
Execute operational steps for test scripts and plans; monitor system behavior and promptly report anomalies, failures, or unsafe conditions.
Assist with troubleshooting by providing logs, event data, and operational insights.
Prioritize public safety, worker safety, and system integrity; monitor public-accessible areas for unsafe conditions or unauthorized access; support testing safety controls and escalate safety concerns under incident response protocols.
Support transition from commissioning to revenue service and assist in developing or refining IOC SOPs, alarm response procedures, shift handover protocols, and operational checklists.
Participate in lessons learned, system readiness reviews, and operational drills, and provide input to the future O&M program and IOC staffing model.
Serve as a coordination point between field teams and control center operations; communicate with field supervisors, testing and commissioning leads, and operations leadership, escalating issues through established paths.
Maintain accurate logs of system events, switching actions, incidents, communications, and other required documentation and reports.
Perform duties in accordance with contract requirements, safety rules, and company standards; meet required response times and support testing schedules; improve practices through feedback and procedural updates.