Chief Water Plant Operator

Explore a Rewarding Career with the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Spanning just 7 square miles in south Central Pennsylvania, the City of Lancaster is home to nearly 60,000 diverse residents. The City oversees a range of public services including fire and police, health, housing, parks, streets, as well as water and wastewater for upwards of 120,000 customers in the surrounding region. This work is powered by nearly 600 employees who are committed to the core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect.

Primary Functions and Job Details

Directs the operation of both water treatment plants to ensure the quality and quantity of water supplied to the City's water distribution system.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of employees engaged in various processes of water treatment.
• Sets up, calibrates, and inspects the operation of chemical feed and filtration equipment.
• Consults with the water laboratory regarding water treatment problems and determines the type and amount of chemicals to be used.
• Determines the need for recovery cleans and repairing of membranes.
• Receives and investigates complaints from the public concerning the condition of finished water.
• Trains operators and other personnel in the performance of their duties.
• Processes and organizes employees' timecards, overtime records, operation logs, employee attendance records, schedules employee time off, and prepares various reports as needed.
• Utilizes daily reports, operator logs, bench testing, daily lab reports, and other resources to support process control decisions and troubleshooting.

Typical Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• High School or completion of a GED is required.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in filter plant operations, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver's License is required.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within two (2) years, a Class A Water Operator Certification as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Follows safe practices in the performance of the position duties.
• Proficiency in knowledge, understanding and use of Microsoft (or similar) suite of tools (Word, and Excel, Outlook or Lotus Notes).
• Ability to interpret, verify, and accurately enter data into a computer database.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to maintain positive interactions.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Flexibility and adaptability to new or changed situations, with willingness to improve work processes.
• Ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and to focus on customer needs.
• Ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement.

• Indoors, environmentally controlled work.
• Outdoor, exposed to inclement weather and extreme temperature.
• Exposure to noise and pollution.

• Personal Protective Equipment such as hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, rain gear, steel toed safety shoes, rain boots and respirators.

• Requires occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Works around motorized or moving equipment and machinery.
• Requires working long hours and must be available to handle emergency situations after hours, weekends and holidays.
• Knowledge, skills and/or abilities assessment tests may be conducted as part of the position screening process.
• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations. Employment Policy It is the policy of the City of Lancaster to provide fair and equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, disability, veteran status or national origin. Accommodations Statement for Job Applications The City of Lancaster is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io to request a needed accommodation.