Treatment Plant Operator Probationary

Job Opportunities Use the Government Jobs tab to search through your municipality's employment opportunities. Subscribe to job posting notifications to be automatically alerted of the latest career opportunities by clicking on the Notify Me® button. Pay Range: In accordance with the City of East Chicago’s Collective Bargaining Agreement Position Summary Under the direct supervision of the Water Treatment Plant Manager and Chief Operator, the Water Treatment Plant Operator controls treatment plant machines and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use. The facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and requires the following duties. Responsibilities Protects the public health. Runs process control on incoming raw water. Sets dosages on chemicals and disinfectants using chemical feed pumps and chlorinators. Adjusts the incoming raw water flow according to system demand. Records untreated water use in production and performs basic laboratory analyses such as turbidity, pH, hardness, chlorides, alkalinity, total organic compounds, total dissolved solids, and chlorine residuals. Stores cleaned treated water in in‑ground storage tanks ready for distribution. Handles toxic chemicals used in the treatment process. Backwashes filters to remove settled solids from the filter bed. Removes sludge from treatment units and disposes of it. Maintains system pressure and monitors elevated water storage tanks. Performs mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation work on treatment units, collects water distribution samples, and submits them to the state laboratory. Keeps chemical inventory and orders supplies when needed. Completes daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual record keeping. Other duties as assigned. Provides direction and guidance to water utilities field staff and ensures treated water meets district, county, and state quality standards. Core Duties and Responsibilities (by Dimension) Process Operation, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting Operate plant equipment (pumps, engines, generators, valves) to control flow and processing of water. Monitor plant gauges, meters, and control panels. Observe and interpret operational variations/problems and make appropriate corrective adjustments. Report significant problems to the supervisor and coordinate required maintenance. Monitor process sampling conducted by the Sub‑Operator. Preventive Maintenance Conduct visual inspections of all plant equipment every two hours. Initiate preventive maintenance or complete repair orders as needed. Monitor the operation of plant filters. Drain, clean, and refill filters weekly. Record Keeping Record quality‑control test results. Maintain shift log. Record meter and gauge readings. Provide copies of all records to the supervisor. Public Service Respond to emergency calls from city residents. Interact with the public politely, courteously, and helpfully. Provide answers or direct inquiries to appropriate personnel. Supplies Inventory Monitor inventory levels of supplies used in plant operations. Report inventory needs to the supervisor. Housekeeping Maintain clean, well‑organized conditions throughout the plant. Request and coordinate assistance for large‑scale cleaning tasks. Teamwork Work effectively with plant operations team members. Collaborate with personnel from other departments/divisions within city government. Safety Perform all job tasks safely. Comply with all department, division safety policies, rules, and regulations. Identify, correct, and report safety hazards when they occur. Other duties as assigned . Core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAPCs) Knowledge : Basic Chemistry, Basic Physics, Basic Math, Quality Assurance Fundamentals, Chemical Properties of Water, Standard Operating Procedures in Water Treatment Plant, Safety Hazards in Plant Operations, OSHA/EPA/State/City/Water Department policies. Skills : Operation of plant pumps, engines, generators, valves; Basic PC use; Use of computer‑based process control software; Calibration of plant instruments; Public/customer relations. Abilities : Read and interpret information; Verbal and written communication; Follow verbal and written instructions; Problem solving; Mechanical aptitude; Teamwork; Manual dexterity; Eye‑hand coordination; Ability to lift, carry, climb, bend, kneel, stand, sit, walk, crawl as required. Personal Characteristics : Normal‑range depth perception; Tolerates confined spaces; Harsh weather; Wearing required safety equipment. Required Licenses or Certifications WT5 drinking water operator license. Ability to obtain an Indiana Class WT6 license within the required period from hire date. Maintain appropriate Water Treatment certifications. Valid driver’s license. Ability to work flexible hours, including various shifts and overtime. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent; preferably college education. Hands‑on operation experience in the class system applied for (WT6 or equivalent). Two years of experience may be substituted by college education related to drinking water. Physical Demands and Working Environment The job requires outdoor and indoor work with regular exposure to weather. Shift work and overtime may be required. Tasks include standing or sitting for prolonged periods, stooping, crawling, bending, kneeling, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, operating office equipment, and frequent verbal communication. Additional Information Candidates must pass an interview, background check, and drug test. There is currently one opening. The City of East Chicago does not discriminate in its employment decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, disability, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr