Water/Wastewater Plant Operator I (Plant Operations)

Job Title

Skilled work involved in the operation of a water or wastewater treatment plant to produce quality potable water or wastewater effluent in compliance with federal and state environmental regulations.

Essential Functions

Operate and adjust treatment plant pumps, motors, feeders and other equipment to maintain appropriate plant operations to ensure treated water quality meets state/federal standards; Performs routine treatment plant rounds; inspect, monitor, troubleshoot, performance test and document plant processes by reading plant equipment gauges, graphs, online analyzers, meters, SCADA systems and other instrumentation; Keeps daily log of shift operations and relays pertinent information on to incoming shift; reads logs of previous shifts and records operational data required by state and federal regulations; Keeps plant superintendent and maintenance aware of operational and maintenance issues; Handles bulk chemicals including ton cylinders of chlorine, coagulant fluoride, polymer, zinc orthophosphate, and sulfur dioxide; Makes certain that backup equipment is in working order to prevent/minimize mechanical breakdown from interrupting the treatment process; Perform general plant facility maintenance such as cleaning, painting and repairing plant facilities; Perform semi-skilled maintenance such as replacing chemical feed tubing, installing/adjusting basin flight chain, and UV disinfection maintenance; Perform various grounds maintenance duties as required; Collect and analyze process control samples and make proper plant adjustments; Runs lab tests on weekends and when lab technician is not available; Attend training as needed to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, as well as obtain required certifications; Assist in emergency operations as needed; and Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Ability to make most operational decisions independently under normal operations, but will likely require direction from senior operator or W/WW Plant Manager during abnormal operating conditions; Ability to recognize alarm conditions and take appropriate corrective action Knowledge of state standards for water and wastewater treatment; Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with plant personnel, other City staff, and the public; Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures, rules/regulations and carry out operational directives; Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of the safe operation of water and/or wastewater plant; Knowledge of the occupational hazards and application of appropriate safety precautions; Knowledge of the safe and proper use of all equipment, tools and machinery; Skill in reading meters and charts accurately and to maintain required records; Skill in performing basic standardized lab tests under direction involving chemical analysis and following appropriate laboratory procedures; Skill in performing mathematic and algebraic calculations accurately; Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing.

Education and Experience

High school graduate or high school equivalent; Class B CDL with tanker endorsement preferred. Must have valid driver's license.