Treatment Plant Operator Trainee, I, II, III - Water Treatment

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

Under the direct supervision of the Supervisor – Water Treatment, to perform activities pertaining to the operation of a Surface Water Treatment plant. This position is an entry level trainee position that focuses on learning and understanding how to operate multiple treatment plants, perform a variety of chemical dosing calculations, chemical analysis, distribution system management, electronic and manual record keeping as well as treatment plant process control activities to produce potable water compliant with State of Texas and Federal Regulations.

Treatment Plant Operator I and II

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of chemical analysis, distribution system management, and treatment plant process control activities to produce potable water compliant with State of Texas and Federal Regulations.

Treatment Plant Operator III

Under direction, perform a variety of technical work involved in the operation and maintenance of a Water Treatment plant.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervisory responsibilities.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

Operate a City vehicle daily to travel to various water treatment plants, pump stations, storage tanks, lakes, and vendors

Learn to calculate chemical dosages, understand their purposes, and adjust chemical feeders and equipment for optimal water treatment.

Learn to control and monitor treatment plant chemical feed pumps and various types of equipment to clarify, filter, and disinfect water for human consumption and industrial use.

Learn to perform, interpret, and record laboratory tests to assess water quality and determine appropriate treatment strategies, including tests for pH, alkalinity, turbidity, chlorine residual, hardness, temperature, and conductivity to maintain water quality.

Learn the procedures to backwash filters manually and automatically, and become proficient in standard plant and laboratory operations, including quality control, equipment maintenance, and testing.

Learn to maintain plant records, including operations logs, daily diaries, and chemical inventories; compile both paper and electronic copies of reports as required by department policy.

Learn to monitor SCADA Systems, pumps, chemical feed systems, laboratory equipment, meters and gauges to determine status of various functions of the plant; performs equipment and laboratory preventive maintenance duties.

Read, calculate, and record water usage on an hourly and daily basis, and assist with maintaining flows and levels across five (5) pressure planes and storage tanks within the distribution system.

Assist in performing minor repairs, operations adjustments, and preventive maintenance on plant equipment as needed.

Record telephone information regarding water leaks and reports to the appropriate repair crews, learns procedure for contacting DIGTESS as well as other utility and service provider locators.

Learn to check motors and pumps for excessive vibrations, noise and temperatures; report problems to appropriate personnel.

Perform grounds maintenance and general housekeeping duties to maintain a clean and safe work environment as needed.

Treatment Plant Operator I and II

All duties of the Trainee, but with a higher expected level of accountability and responsibility.

Controls and monitors treatment plant chemicals, machines, and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use.

Performs and records the results of various laboratory tests to assess water quality and to determine optimal chemical treatment, such as pH, alkalinity, turbidity, chlorine residual, hardness, temperature, conductivity and other related tests.

Removes solids from treatment units and backwashes filters as needed.

Maintains the efficiency of plant and laboratory operations, including maintenance of equipment, pumps, filters, and machinery, testing, quality control, and record-keeping procedures.

Calibrates laboratory equipment and adjusts chemical feeders for optimal water treatment.

Maintains plant records, including operations logs, daily diaries, and chemical inventories; compiles reports as required by departmental policies.

Monitors SCADA Systems, pumps, chemical feed systems, laboratory equipment, meters and gauges to determine the status of various functions of the plant; performs equipment and laboratory preventive maintenance duties.

Maintains flows and levels in distribution systems and storage tanks.

Participates in training the Treatment Plant Operator Trainee.

Performs minor repairs, operations adjustments, and preventive maintenance on plant equipment as needed.

Reads and records chemical usage; fills chemical feeders; mixes chemicals; changes reagents; changes out chlorine cylinders.

Checks motors and pumps for excessive noise and temperature variations; reports problems to appropriate personnel.

Treatment Plant Operator III

All of the above requirements with an even more increased understanding of Federal and State Rules and Regulations, expectations and accountability.

Oversees plant is operating efficiently; maintain records; prepare reports regarding the operation of the plant and quality of the plant product; suggest methods of improving plant efficiency.

Troubleshoots and recommends corrective action towards a resolution of maintenance or operation problems.

Assists with conducting chemical and bacteriological analysis of treatment plant products using quality control data analysis data of plant products.

Based on the analysis of information from meter readings, gauges and other control/measuring devices, makes required adjustments.

Maintains effective communication and working relationships with employees, governmental officials, and the general public.

Performs process control laboratory analysis.

Maintains and enters process control as well as other data into the appropriate computer systems.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

State and Federal requirements, rules and regulations for Water Treatment.

Safe chemical handling practices.

Basic algebra and general math skills.

Methods, materials, practices, equipment, and facilities involved in Water Treatment.

Applicable State and Federal regulations.

Workplace occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

Operate and maintain various laboratory equipment and systems.

Use and maintain a variety of tools and equipment used in water and wastewater treatment and repair activities.

Visually, physically, and audibly identify anomalies associated with pumps and motors.

Make logical decisions based on available and/or acquired data through SCADA and computer systems.

Operate basic computer equipment.

Safely operate a motor vehicle in all types of weather.

Ability to:

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Read, write and understand the English language and follow written and oral instructions.

Physically perform duties related to building and grounds maintenance, including mowing, weed-eating, sweeping, mopping, painting, and digging.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Treatment Plant Operator III

Ability to:

Perform laboratory process control testing.

Perform required computer operations in conjunction with position specific requirements.

Lead and manage a team in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

Experience:

This is an entry-level position. No previous experience is required.

Acquire the “D” Water License within ninety (90) days of employment is required.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma or GED is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Be prepared to take the “C” Surface Water Exam after completing one (1) year of employment as 106 hours of TCEQ required training and experience will be completed. Possession of a “C” Surface Water Operator’s License, issued by TCEQ, within 18 months of date of hire is required.

Maintaining a “C” Surface Water License is required for continued employment.

Treatment Plant Operator I

Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year of experience at a Surface Water Treatment plant is required.

License or Certificate:

A “C” Surface Water License issued by the TCEQ is required.

Treatment Plant Operator II

Experience:

A minimum of three (3) years of experience at a Surface Water Treatment plant is required.

License or Certificate:

The “B” Surface Water License issued by the TCEQ is required.

Treatment Plant Operator III

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of experience at a Surface Water Treatment plant is required.

Education/Training:

A TCEQ qualifying Bachelor of Science Degree and successfully passing TCEQ “A” Water training courses is required.

OR

A minimum of six (6) years of experience at a Surface Water Treatment plant and TCEQ “A” Water License training courses is required.

License or Certificate:

The “A” Water License issued by the TCEQ is required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Facilities operator 24-hours a day, 365 days a year and treatment operator positions are mission critical during emergency situations which requires operators to be available for on-call after hours’ work to respond to emergencies as needed which requires dependable transportation.

All state licensed personnel must pass a State of Texas Criminal background check. The State of Texas has the authority to grant or deny the required license.

Ability to report to work in various types of weather as required.

Work a variable shift schedule with the potential for short notice schedule changes.

Exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confined work spaces, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards.

Treatment Plant Operators I, II and III

There are two classifications of operators, Shift Operators and Relief Operators .

Shift Operators work a set schedule every week with set days off, includes working Holidays. May be asked to work overtime when needed.

Relief Operators are hired to cover all shifts due to shift operators’ time off, illness, training requirements, and other absences. Relief operators may be required to work overtime, get short notice of schedule changes and may have to report back to work with a short turnaround (8 hours off before next shift) on rare occasions. When not scheduled to cover a shift, relief operators hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30a.m. until 4:00p.m.

Shift Operator and Relief Operator positions are assigned based on seniority and current operator preferences. During the interview process, hiring managers will clarify which specific position the applicant is being considered for.With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

_ X _ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

Y = Yes

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_ M _ Standing

_ M _ Sitting

_ M _ Walking

_I__ Lifting

_ I __ Carrying

_ I __ Pushing/Pulling

_ I __ Overhead Work

_ M _ Fine Dexterity

_ I _ Kneeling

_ I __ Crouching

_ I__ Crawling

_ I __ Bending

_ I __ Twisting

_ M _ Climbing

_I__ Balancing

_ E _ Vision

_E _ Hearing

_ M _ Talking

___ Other: _____________________