Water Reclamation Plant Operator II - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Water Reclamation Plant

Job Title

This is semiskilled midlevel work in the operation, preventive maintenance, and care of mechanical equipment in a water reclamation plant. Work includes testing samples of wastewater, assisting in the operations of intake structures, pumps, valves, solids handling and other plant equipment. Due to the nature of the primary duties, this position requires in-person presence at the worksite. Employees in this position are expected to work shifts that may include evenings and/or weekends and are designated as "essential personnel," requiring work during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.

Starting salary hiring range: $26.05 - $42.24 $54,181 - $87,860

Work is performed with supervision from a technical superior until such time as the incumbent achieves proficiency in the assigned tasks. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established plant routines and procedures. An employee in this class assists in the control and preventive maintenance operations of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months.

This role is designated as safety sensitive; therefore, employees are required to participate in mandatory random drug testing.

***Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810. ***

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operations & Process Control:

• Monitor gauges, meters, control panels, and process control computers.
• Observe and report routine and unusual readings, test results, and operating conditions.
• Operate valves and gates manually or by remote control.
• Start and stop pumps to control flows, chemical dosages, and treatment processes.
• Obtain wastewater samples and perform routine laboratory tests required by Federal, State, and local agencies.
• Maintain shift logs and manually enter field data, test results, and meter readings.

Equipment Inspection & Maintenance:

• Inspect bearings, valves, seals, filters, generators, compressors, and other mechanical/electrical systems.
• Perform minor repairs and adjustments on malfunctioning equipment.
• Report major or complex malfunctions to supervisors.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks such as lubricating pumps, motors, conveyors, and other equipment.
• Paint equipment, piping, structures, and facilities as needed.

Facility & Grounds Upkeep:

• Perform routine custodial duties and cleaning of equipment.
• Carry out basic maintenance tasks around plant grounds and buildings.
• Assist in broader equipment and facility maintenance as needed.

Work Expectations & Other Duties:

• Work a rotating shift.
• Report to work during inclement weather or emergency situations (emergency essential role).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Required Education/Experience

High School Diploma or GED or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations: Possession of a regular Class "5A" Operator's certificate issued by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators required prior to appointment and during tenure of employment. Applicants with appropriate experience and equivalent licensing from another state will be considered for appointment but will be required to obtain a Statement of Reciprocity from the Maryland State Board prior to appointment that should be included in your application. A valid Maryland driver's license is required.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of elementary mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Knowledge of safe work habits.
• Knowledge of the operation of pumps, valves, gauges, and other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant.
• Knowledge of elementary lab and sample collection techniques.
• Ability to perform minor maintenance such as adjust pumps, valves, gauges, or other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant
• Ability to maintain simple written records.
• Ability to read gauges and meters accurately.
• Ability to use basic hand tools.
• Ability to recognize unusual or dangerous conditions or situations.

Physical Demand and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Language Skills, Mathematical Skills, and Reasoning Ability: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondences. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Benefits

The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.

Flexible Benefits Plan: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.

Group Term Life Insurance: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.

Paid Leave Benefits: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.

Annual Leave: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.

Disability Leave: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.

Personal Leave: Employees receive