Wastewater Plant Operator

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Under general supervision, assists in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant and collection systems to protect the environment and comply with local, state and federal laws; properly maintains the collection system to ensure the safe and effective conveyance of sewage to treatment facilities and prevent damages from backups; and maintains all machinery and equipment operating properly to provide safe and reliable resources for the completion of assigned task.

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by the individual in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties as assigned.

• Conducts daily sampling and testing, cleaning treatment basins, draining pits and basins, sludge processing and disposal, process flow control, and minor plant maintenance.
• Records and logs data; performs basic calculations needed for process control; and assists primary lab staff with discharge monitoring, sampling, and testing.
• Performs major repairs at treatment facility, sewer lines, manholes, pump stations, and lift stations; performs annual cleaning of the City sewer mains; repairs, modifies and maintains equipment, vehicles, and tools; restores grounds after performing line maintenance or repairs, including resodding, planting new vegetation, landscaping, and sidewalk restoration; and conducts CCTV inspections of sewer lines.
• Performs other related work as assigned including snow plowing with the street division; mowing water and pollution control properties; joint sewer and water station checks on weekends and holidays to ensure proper operation and site security; and assists street division in cleaning storm tubes with jet/vac truck.
• Conducts lab work by collecting samples and checking P.H. and P.O. samples and solids tests; calibrates equipment and scales and other related equipment; operates gas monitor and takes weekly samples from manholes; and monitors plant and responds to emergencies during Chief Operators absence.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Belton and the constituent population by providing excellent customer service; promotes the City goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures; maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records and City information; and performs related duties as required or assigned.
• Ensures that job duties are completed in strict adherence to established safe work practices.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Operations, services, and activities of a City Public Works Department and wastewater operations and maintenance functions.
• EPA, DNR, APWA, and WEF materials, manuals, technical drawings and blueprints, local building codes and repair manuals.
• Standard practices, methods, tools, materials, and equipment of wastewater treatment activities.
• Safety standards and precautions connected with wastewater treatment and standards governing the safe discharge of wastewater.
• Basic mathematics, electrical and plumbing principles.
• The operation of a variety of equipment and tools used in wastewater maintenance and repair.
• Structure, organization and inter-relationships of city departments, agencies, and related governmental agencies and offices affecting assigned functions.
• Effective communication principles and practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Possession of a valid Class B State Commercial Driver's License with air brakes within six months of hire; other licenses/certifications such as Wastewater Class D License, Distribution System Operator III License, and Voluntary Collection Systems Certificate may be required within a specific time period after hire.
• Possession of a valid Missouri Wastewater Operator License Class C within one year of hire.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is generally performed at the wastewater plant facility and in the field.
• Regularly is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 80 pounds.
• Regularly exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, potential physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and infectious disease when working at or conducting on-site inspections of wastewater infrastructure construction, maintenance and repair projects and other related duties.