Chief Water Treatment Operator

Chief Water Treatment Operator

The Town of Duxbury's Water/Sewer Department seeks qualified candidates for the full-time, Chief Water Treatment Operator with Massachusetts Drinking Water Treatment Grade 2T Full Status Certification.

This is a full-time, benefit-eligible, 40-hour-per-week position (typically Monday-to-Friday) involved in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the water treatment plant and related systems. This position supervises subordinate water/sewer employees in the performance of tasks, operates equipment and tools required for installation, maintenance, and repair of public water supply and sewer collection systems, and performs related duties. The pay range for this Grade 8, union, FLSA non-exempt position is $33.87 - $43.09 in eight (8) steps.

Minimum qualifications include: High school diploma (or equivalent), valid Massachusetts Driver's License, Massachusetts Drinking Water Treatment Grade 2T Full Status Certification, and Cross Connection Surveyor/Tester certification.

Additional pay includes the following, as available:

• Overtime
• On Call Pay
• Progressive Licensing Stipends

Benefits include the following:

• 12 Paid holidays, sick, vacation, and personal time
• 75% town/25% employee paid health insurance; Blue Cross and Blue Shield PPO & HMO plans
• Basic term life insurance ($5,000)
• 100% employee paid 457 retirement savings plans
• Dental insurance
• Whole life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Critical Illness insurance
• Accident insurance
• Cancer insurance
• Vision insurance
• Pet insurance
• Defined benefit pension (payroll deducted instead of social security)
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts

Nature of Work: Assists the Superintendent and Director in any and all phases of the work, and in his/her absence assumes responsibility for construction, maintenance, and repair of the Town's public water supply and treatment systems. Supervises subordinate water/sewer employees in the performance of tasks, operates equipment and tools required for installation, maintenance and repair of public water supply and sewer collection systems and performs related duties. Makes frequent contact with co-workers and residents requiring calm, clear and courteous communication.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Water/Sewer Superintendent and DPW Director. Lays out projects and schedules based on the Superintendent and Director's general instructions who review performance for skill and efficiency and assist in cases of difficulty.

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises water/sewer treatment employees in performance of assigned tasks, requiring considerable judgement and discretion for most effective use of labor, equipment and materials. Reassigns or redirects work as necessary in response to needs, conditions or emergencies. Performs administrative duties of Superintendent during absences of brief duration. Elevates any issues or concerns regarding employee matters to the Superintendent.

Confidentiality: Employee has regular access to confidential information of the department. Confidentiality must be maintained with regard to this information and in accordance with Department Policy and the Public Records Act.

Accountability: Consequences or errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, monetary loss, legal repercussions, labor/material costs, personal injury, jeopardize programs, and danger to public health/safety.

Judgment: Guidelines may be given verbally, or through administrative or organizational policies or directives. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in performing tasks to avoid breakdowns, handle emergency situations and ensure public and environmental safety in the operation of the public water supply and related systems.

Complexity: The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to water/sewer treatment, systems and maintenance.

Nature and Purpose of Public Contact: Employee interacts frequently with Town employees and the public. Excellent customer service skills are required involving courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.

Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position:

• Directs subordinate employees in the performance of tasks ensuring work is performed safely and efficiently, and that all tools, equipment and materials are available.
• Schedules, assigns, directs and checks, daily and long range work/progress and provides related payroll reporting.
• Assists the Superintendent and Director in planning capital improvements, budget request, tools and supplies.
• Prepares operational and administrative reports as necessary.
• Elevate any issues or concerns to the Superintendent of subordinate employees, modified work techniques, procedures and policies as necessary to his/her supervisors.
• Acts as the Primary Operator of the public water supply.
• Maintains administrative records, plots underground structures, and maintains adequate supplies of chemicals, spare parts, tools and equipment to effectively operate a public water system.
• Prepares Statistical and Chemical dosage reports as required by the DEP and the Superintendent.
• Operates and maintains Evergreen green sand filter plant and other pumping stations and treatment facilities.
• Operates pumps and chemical dosing equipment.
• Reads and interprets flow meters, pH meters, pressure and water level gauges.
• Perform tests to determine chemical dosage i.e. pH, fluoride, chlorine, iron, manganese etc.
• Maintain records as required by state regulations and by the Superintendent i.e., daily pumpage, chemical dosage, well levels etc.
• Collect water quality samples i.e. bacteria, lead, copper, V.O.C.'s, P.C.E.'s. T.H.M.'s HAA5's, S.O.C.'s.
• Operates and maintains stand by engines & generators to provide uninterrupted water and sewer service in the event of power failures.
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, associated lift stations, grinder pumps and collection systems for the Town's shared septic and sewer systems.
• Accept deliveries of bulk chemicals, supplies and equipment.
• Plans, organizes and coordinates work to be completed with private contractors and other Department Heads as needed.
• Trains new employees in performing assigned duties.
• Schedules requests for mark outs of underground water/sewer piping for Dig Safe requests.
• Supervises pressure tests, disinfection of water lines and reads, installs and repairs for water meters and backflow prevention equipment.
• Inspects water/sewer mains and service installations.
• Performs and/or supervises all fire hydrant maintenance.
• Completes gate valve exercising and full system flushing programs.
• Responsible for all general repairs of water mains and service lines.
• Performs all trench inspections.
• Installs new service connections.
• Operates, maintains and inspects stand by engines and generators to provide uninterrupted water and sewer service in the event of power failures.
• Accepts deliveries of supplies and equipment.
• Performs regular testing of back flow prevention devices and surveys existing and new facilities for cross connections.
• Assists with grounds maintenance work at all facilities including mowing, string trimming, and chain sawing, leaf and brush removal.
• Participates in operation and ordinary maintenance of equipment, instructs employees in the correct and proper usage and keeps daily records of maintenance completed.
• Performs similar tasks as assigned, including functions of those in a lower classification.
• Is available for overtime and call backs in the event of emergencies.
• Cross train with other Water Department employees.
• Participates in town-wide snow and ice removal operations.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, five years of full time work experience and considerable, demonstrable knowledge and skill relative to practices, methods, and procedures regarding public water/sewer distribution and treatment systems and prior and demonstrable ability to supervise and motivate other employees, and deal effectively with fellow employees, supervisors and the general public