Wastewater Plant Operator II

Job Title

Inspects, operates, and maintains the water/wastewater treatment facility. Assists with or is responsible for daily operational controls and monitoring of plant processes. Performs corrective, repair work and general maintenance on plant systems and facility.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the journey level of the Wastewater Plant Operator class series. Positions in this class possess extensive technical knowledge on plant operations, systems, and processes. It is distinguished from the Operator I level by the extent of technical knowledge and responsibility exercised for plant operations. Positions in this class generally are filled from the I level.

Supervision Exercised and Received

Receives direction from higher level staff.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Inspects, operates, and maintains the water/wastewater treatment facility. Assists with or is responsible for daily operational controls and monitoring of plant processes. Performs corrective, repair work and general maintenance on plant systems;
• Reads gauges and makes adjustments to operating controls to meet operating standards.
• Performs some lab tests and interprets results for purposes of plant control; cleans, adjusts and repacks valves and pumps; collects samples for tests; monitors delivery of chemicals and materials;
• Performs preventative maintenance and repair work on plant equipment; maintains grounds and plant building;
• Maintains safety checklists;
• Instructs subordinate personnel in plant operations;
• Sets and monitors alarm systems; maintains plant security;
• Perform other duties related to the operation of the department and the City including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community
• Cleans and adjust bar screens and comminutors;
• Regulates operation of aeration tanks, including return sludge recirculation pumps transferring sludge to digester; operates lagoons; checks treatment and storage ponds.
• Performs other duties related to the operation of the department and the city, including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• The operation and routine maintenance of mechanical equipment, including pumps and electric motors;
• Basic tools, equipment and methods in maintaining stationary power equipment, pumping systems and electrical systems;
• Basic water and wastewater treatment processes and the tests used to check the effectiveness of such processes;
• Principles and methods of water or wastewater treatment, including basic microbiology, chemistry, and hydraulics as applied to wastewater treatment;
• Mechanics of pumps and motors;
• Purposes and uses of tools and equipment used in the overhaul, repair, adjustment, and modification of plant equipment;
• Chemical and/or biological tests used in monitoring water or wastewater treatment plant processes.

Ability to:

• Inspects, operates, and maintains the water/wastewater treatment facility. Assists with or is responsible for daily operational controls and monitoring of plant processes. Performs corrective, repair work and general maintenance on plant systems
• Read and interpret gauges and recording devices reflecting plant operations; perform mechanical repairs, maintenance work, and modification to equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant;
• Use various mechanic's tools with skill and accuracy;
• Learn standard laboratory tests;
• Exercise sound judgment in response to operational problems; understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Perform technical procedures in plant operation; inspect plant operations and detect problems; perform lab tests in plant monitoring;
• Maintain and repair plant facilities and equipment;
• Maintain records accurately and neatly;
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Equivalent to the completion of high school; completion of courses on wastewater treatment.

Experience: Two years of experience in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants or related field; possession of a California Grade II Wastewater Treatment Operator certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board may be substituted for the experience up to a maximum of 1 year.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Working Conditions:

Willingness and ability to work scheduled and emergency overtime and be available on call as required; work special events as needed;

Mobility: performance of heavy manual labor; frequent crawl, bend, stoop, reach, and climb for long period of time.

Lifting: lifting and maneuvering various tools, equipment and apparatus weighing up to 50 pounds.

Vision: essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to read fine print on labels, manuals, maps, and diagrams and with no color deficiencies to work with color-coded wires.

Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking in person. May be required to wear ear protection or hear in noisy conditions.

Emotional/ Psychological: frequent coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: exposure to loud noise; exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances; work outdoors under adverse conditions such as at night, in confined and awkward spaces, in heavy traffic, in heat, cold, and rain.

*FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT