Title: Water Treatment Plant Operator

Department: Public Services

Union: Technical Professional Officeworks’s Association of Michigan

Salary Scale: $26.01– $28.67 DOQ/Licenses

Status: Full-time w/benefits

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of water treatment facilities and systems. The Howell Water Plant is a 7-day, 2-shift (minimum) system. This position will require working weekends, and holidays and could be a second or a swing shift.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Water Treatment Plant Operations Manager. Might receive directions from the lab &/or maintenance coordinators.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None generally. In the future may serve as a lead worker for lower-level operators or part-time/summer employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Works in a lab/maintenance setting – Must be knowledgeable and capable of the operations of the water system, including lab, maintenance, wells, pumps, etc.

Monitors the performance of all equipment, gauges, and charts in the water treatment plant—records statistical data concerning plant operations.

Maintains, operates, repairs, and replaces equipment as necessary, which could include changing out chemical feed pumps that use strong acids.

Charts lab test results for trend analysis and maintains accurate records of analyses and test results; evaluates data and writes reports as required.

Operates, maintains, and repairs malfunctions at the water treatment plant, and repairs gauges, pumps, filters, and other controls and equipment.

Collects samples and identifies concentrations of chemical, physical, or biological characteristics of water required in accordance with local, State, and Federal clean water requirements.

Gathers and tests water samples for plant reports as required. Monitors water quality and turbidity, and checks chlorine and fluoride levels.

Performs quality control tests on lab equipment and lab analyses; evaluates procedures and results for accuracy and determines appropriate methods.

Assures that the plant operates within required standards.

Contains and disposes of hazardous wastes generated by the lab.

Calibrates, modifies, and repairs instrumentation and control equipment including recorders, flow meters, and other water monitoring equipment.

This is an hourly position with on-call rotation and overtime expected, including responding to emergency calls on nights, weekends, and holidays.

Performs related duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.

Could serve on various employee committees as assigned.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

1. Graduation from high school education or GED equivalent supplemented by two (2) years post-secondary college or technical training in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field, and
2. Two (2) years of experience in a water utility is preferred.
3. Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Working knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures used in water treatment plant maintenance and operation activities.
2. Working knowledge of laboratory procedures and practices.
3. Skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.
4. Ability to perform process control calculations.
5. Ability to work safely, which includes working with acids, alkaline, gases, etc.
6. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public.
8. Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Valid State Driver's license.
2. A State of Michigan F-4 Certification as a Water Treatment Plant Operator is required for this position and must be maintained throughout employment, through continuing education credits (CECs). Based on testing requirements for the F-4 Certification, candidates applying for this position will be given two (2) opportunities (1 year) to attain the F-4 Certification.
3. This position includes on-call rotation and overtime expected, including responding to emergency calls on nights, weekends, and holidays.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Motor vehicles, generators, pumps, chemical feed pumps, gauges, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radios, phones, calculators, computers, and a variety of lab equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.