Purple Line Infrastructure Operations Center (IOC) Operator (BOC Specialist 3)

M.C. Dean, Inc.; Hyattsville (MD); On-site; USD 50,020 - 62,515; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k Retirement Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

M.C. Dean, Inc. is seeking an IOC Operator in Hyattsville, MD, to oversee the Purple Line Light Rail Transit system during commissioning and operations. The role involves monitoring critical infrastructure systems and coordinating with various teams to ensure operational safety.

Candidates should have experience in transit operations or SCADA environments and the ability to work rotating shifts. Benefits include competitive salary and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in infrastructure operations centers, transit operations, or SCADA systems.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong understanding of operational safety principles.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, control, and operate transit infrastructure systems.
• Perform electrical switching operations via SCADA.
• Support system integration testing and trial operations.

Skills

Operational safety principles

Customer communication skills

Real-time decision making

Electrical power distribution knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in technical trade

Job description

Responsibilities

The Purple Line Infrastructure Operations Center (IOC) Operator is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and operating 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 (LRT) system.

IOC Operators monitor automation systems, alarm and notification platforms, SCADA systems, and CCTV systems to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operation of the Purple Line infrastructure. This role requires close coordination with construction teams, commissioning agents, systems integration teams, and track testing personnel to support dynamic testing activities while maintaining safety for the general public.

This position is based at the Glenridge Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) or the Backup OMF and requires the ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by commissioning and operational needs.

Infrastructure Operations & Monitoring

• Monitor real-time status of Purple Line infrastructure systems, including:
  • Traction power systems
  • SCADA systems and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)
  • Trackside power and signaling interfaces
  • Communications systems
  • CCTV and security monitoring platforms
  • Alarm, notification, and event management systems
• Identify, acknowledge, and triage alarms, faults, and abnormal system conditions.
• Perform system checks and operational readiness verifications prior to testing windows.
• Maintain continuous situational awareness of system health and operational status.

SCADA & Electrical Switching Operations

• Perform electrical switching operations via SCADA to:
  • Enable track testing and commissioning activities
  • Isolate or energize traction power sections
  • Support safe work zones and lockout/tagout boundaries
• Verify system state before, during, and after switching operations.
• Ensure all switching activities comply with approved procedures, safety rules, and operational directives.
• Coordinate switching activities with authorized personnel and document all actions taken.

Commissioning & Testing Support

• Support system integration testing (SIT), dynamic testing, and trial operations.
• Coordinate closely with:
  • Construction teams
  • Commissioning agents
  • Track testing crews
  • Traction power, signaling, and communications teams
• Execute operational steps required to support test scripts and test plans.
• Monitor system behavior during testing and immediately report anomalies, failures, or unsafe conditions.
• Assist in troubleshooting system issues by providing logs, event data, and operational insights.

Safety & Public Protection

• Ensure infrastructure operations prioritize public safety, worker safety, and system integrity.
• Monitor public-accessible areas to detect unsafe conditions or unauthorized access.
• Support implementation of safety controls during testing, including power isolation and controlled energization.
• Escalate safety concerns immediately in accordance with established incident response protocols.

Transition to Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

• Support the transition from commissioning to revenue service operations.
• Assist in the development and refinement of:
  • IOC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Alarm response procedures
  • Shift handover protocols
  • Operational checklists
• Participate in lessons learned, system readiness reviews, and operational drills.
• Provide input to help shape the future Purple Line O&M program and IOC staffing model.

Coordination & Communications

• Serve as a central coordination point between field teams and control center operations.
• Maintain clear, concise, and accurate communication with:
  • Field supervisors
  • Testing and commissioning leads
  • Operations leadership
• Escalate issues appropriately using sound judgment and established escalation paths.
• Maintain accurate logs of system events, switching actions, incidents, and communications.

Performance & Quality

• Perform all duties in accordance with contract requirements, safety rules, and company standards.
• Meet required response times and support mission-critical testing schedules.
• Maintain accurate documentation, logs, and reports.
• Continuously improve operational practices through feedback and procedural updates.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required. Vocational school or associate degree in a technical trade preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
  • Infrastructure operations centers
  • Transit operations
  • SCADA or control room operations
  • Electrical power systems operations
  • Critical infrastructure monitoring

Candidate Expectations

• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Strong understanding of operational safety principles and procedural compliance.
• Good customer communication skills.

Knowledge & 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.

Desired / Advantageous Qualifications

• Vocational school or associate degree in electrical, electronics, transportation, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting:
  • Light rail or heavy rail systems
  • Traction power systems
  • SCADA-controlled infrastructure
  • Familiarity with commissioning and system integration testing environments.
  • Prior experience in a union or multi-contractor construction environment.

Benefits

• A competitive salary
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Military Reserve pay offset
• Paid maternity leave

Abilities

• The position requires the ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. Candidates must demonstrate physical strength and stamina to perform various tasks, including but not limited to, loading, and unloading, operating equipment, and assisting in the transportation of various materials. Proper lifting techniques and safety protocols must be followed to ensure personal and team safety.
• Relocates a 12 foot stepladder without assistance.
• Works at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
• Walks, climbs, lifts, squats, crawls, kneels, pushes, pulls and reaches overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
• Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
• May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
• Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Pay Range: USD $36.31 - USD $45.38 /Hr.