Wastewater Process Operator

Wastewater Process Operator I Or II

The City of Olathe is seeking a Wastewater Process Operator to join our award-winning Wastewater Treatment Facility. This group is responsible for cleaning the City's used water from our homes and businesses keeping our city clean and safe. We clean 6.4 million gallons of water each day at our two Olathe facilities. The water is recycled and returned as a clean resource into Cedar Creek and Mill Creek.

Working for the City of Olathe is more than a job. You will be trained, supported, and valued. You'll make a difference in the community, work alongside experienced people, receive leadership support, and work in a stable and positive work environment. The City of Olathe strives to be an inclusive place to work. We set the standard for success in Public Service. Our employees are dedicated to the City's core values of Leadership through Service, Teamwork, Customer Service, Learning and Communication. The City of Olathe's Infrastructure Department is nationally accredited by the American Public Works Association.

We're looking for someone with experience working effectively in a team setting. If you are organized, have the ability to communicate relevant information verbally and in writing, are analytical, and have a mechanical aptitude, this may be the job for you. Experience with wastewater pilot studies is strongly preferred.

A typical day might include collecting water samples and performing lab work, taking readings from equipment, and cleaning and maintaining equipment and facilities.

Pay Range: $23.75 to $29.14 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule (subject to change based on needs of upcoming pilot project):

- Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM; will rotate to work Monday through Friday, 5:30 AM to 2:00 PM for 2 weeks at a time, for a total of 6 to 8 weeks/year. - Once fully trained, will be on-call for emergencies with another teammate working half days on Saturday and Sunday, approximately once per month.

If you are interested in a job where you make an impact on the community, this is a great opportunity to start or further your career in this field. The City of Olathe employees enjoy a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance; vacation leave, sick leave, and paid parental leave; multiple retirement savings opportunities; education reimbursement; and more.

The Wastewater Process Operator I performs a variety of skilled computer, laboratory, and field work to ensure the proper operation of pumps, valves, motors and other equipment for regulatory compliance. They work with a trained team and independently at times playing a key role in wastewater treatment for the City of Olathe. This position is part of a three-level career progression of Wastewater Process Operator I, Wastewater Process Operator II, and Control Operator.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspects, monitors, and documents plant and remote facility operations by reading and interpreting information provided by the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, meters, gauges, and other field instrumentation; performs general plant facility maintenance including cleaning and repairing plant facilities; performs visual checks of pumps, valves, motors, and other equipment; collaborates with operation and maintenance teams to troubleshoot plant processes and equipment.
• Collects samples and performs a variety of processes and regulatory water quality tests as part of a certified field laboratory; completes associated documentation for sample collection and analysis; works closely with the City's Environmental Laboratory on testing requirements and techniques.
• Maintains accurate plant operation logs and reports; performs and documents mathematical calculations; utilizes a variety of software applications such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database, Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and the SCADA system; communicates effectively and follows written and oral instructions.
• Operates assigned vehicles and equipment such as fork-lifts and pallet jacks for chemical receiving; assists with snow removal including driving a snowplow as required; drives to remote sites for sample collection, monitoring, troubleshooting, and other tasks as required.
• Participates in an on-call rotation and responds to emergency alarms and calls as required; performs regular emergency duties including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime, regular days off or holidays as needed.

Qualifications

Experience: Strong organizational, analytical, teamwork, communication and mechanical skills are required. Previous teamwork experience with similar responsibilities or wastewater treatment plant operation and/or maintenance is preferred.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Licenses & Certifications: A valid driver's license and favorable driving record are required. A class B commercial driver's license with tanker endorsement is required within 12 months of employment. A Class I Wastewater Operator Certification from the State of Kansas is required within 24 months.

Environmental or Physical Demands: The Wastewater Process Operator I performs work in both indoor and outdoor environments and is subject to adverse weather conditions and noise. The work requires routine and frequent sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, kneeling, and climbing and descending ladders and stairs. Employees in this role push, pull, and lift heavy objects and equipment including empty and charged fire hoses, plastic and metal 55-gallon drums. They operate a variety of hand and tools and will use dollies or hand trucks to move pallets and drums. The position requires the ability to move between multiple locations, often multiple times in a day. Site locations may expose the individual to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, various forms of precipitation, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, toxic agents, pathogenic substances, and other hazards. Some tasks are performed in areas where the ground is uneven and/or water soaked. Job functions in and around excavations, confined spaces, mechanized equipment, roadways, and bodies of water present the need for alertness and safety awareness. The work requires the ability to see, hear, and smell in order to detect problems and ensure the safety of employees and others in response to exposure to the hazards associated with this position.