Are you passionate about our environment and ensuring the health and safety of our community? Do you have a keen eye for detail and a strong commitment to operational excellence? If so, the City of Pullman is seeking someone just like you to be a Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator that Maintains, modifies and monitors the activated sludge treatment plant facilities and operational processes. They monitor plant process performance, troubleshoot process and equipment malfunctions and perform necessary corrections. Come and join the City of Pullman, make a difference in the community.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:

Performs work involved in the operation and maintenance of the activated sludge treatment plant in accordance with state discharge requirements. Performs ground and preventative maintenance activities. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator reports to the plant supervisor who is responsible for planning, scheduling, and evaluating work perfor­mance. May provide plant equipment orientation and technical assistance, and assist in training new employees.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintains and monitors wastewater treatment process to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations; operates plant equipment including the headworks system, influent pumps, clarifiers, degritter pumps, grit classifier, gravity thickener, sludge pump, aeration basins, air blowers, activated sludge return pumps, chlorine feed and control equipment, chlorination contact basins, variable frequency drives, boilers, hydraulic equipment, diffused air floatation thickener, belt press dewatering unit, motors, electrical controls, valves and related power and hand tools; calibrates equipment on a regular basis; interprets plant related data and advises supervisor of corrective action needed or taken.

Performs preventative and routine maintenance on plant equipment including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, controls and pneumatic equipment; troubleshoots services and adjusts, repairs and replaces equipment; Installs new facilities or remodels existing facilities including setting and pouring foundations, piping in new equipment, assisting in plumbing and wiring projects, welding and fabrication and electronic control programming and operations; may troubleshoot and repair electric problems as needed; performs grounds and building maintenance including mowing lawns, painting buildings and equipment, and maintaining work areas.

Records and maintains plant data logs, maintenance logs, chlorine and sulfur dioxide usage logs, wasting logs and lab data logs; utilizes and monitors data in the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) program; interprets process conditions, laboratory results and instrumentation and control readings to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations, as well as diagnose the cause of problems or violations to return plant to normal operating conditions.

Performs the lab tests required to meet state requirements; maintains and calibrates lab equipment;collects samples and runs standardized tests, pH, total suspended solids and chlorine analysis; Collects remote 24-hour composite samples and cleans samplers/sample bottles using ultra-clean methods; keeps lab area clean and hazard free.

Works with hazardous materials using safety data sheets to properly use and dispose of them.

Safely operates a ten-wheel dump truck on public streets; operates front-end loader to load dump truck.

Maintains licenses and safety training requirements; remains current on respiratory fit testing, confined space entry safety training, lockout/tagout procedures and chlorine and sulfur dioxide safety training.

Attends work on a regular and dependable basis.

Interacts in a professional and respectful manner with city staff and the public.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May serve as safety officer.

May provide plant equipment orientation and technical assistance, and assist in training new employees.Assists in maintaining supplies/parts inventory.

Conducts plant tours and provides lab samples for university classes.

Provides grounds and facilities maintenance, including janitorial maintenance.

Performs other tasks as assigned.

SELECTION FACTORS:

(Applicants should describe their previous experience and training for each of the following selection factors. These factors will be the basis for selecting the most qualified applicants to be interviewed. Candidates selected for employment must satisfactori­ly demonstrate possession of these factors during a prescribed probationary period, and afterwards, for continued employment.)

Knowledge of:

• Machinery, equipment, materials, and operating procedures of a wastewater treatment plant;
• Routine tests and testing procedures used in testing and treating wastewater;
• The laws and regulations regarding waste­water treatment;
• Basic chemistry and microbiology as related to wastewater treatment.

Ability to:

• Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment;
• Operate Class III wastewater treatment plant electronic components and operational equipment;
• Diagnose operating equipment malfunctions and take correc­tive actions;
• Make accurate readings and keep operation records;
• Interpret data and make recommendations for corrective action;
• Receive specialized training in various areas such as confined space entry, CL2 and SO2 gas container connecting/disconnecting, etc.;
• Continue education in the wastewater field as required by the Department of Ecology;
• Read and understand schematic diagrams;
• Establish and maintain effective working relation­ships with supervisor, co-workers, and other city employees, and the public;
• Provide quality services in a cost-effective manner and to recommend improved methods of performing the work;
• Physically perform the essential functions of the job;
• Obtain and maintain a valid CDL driver's license and a safe driving record;
• Respond to on-call to emergency callouts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(Persons applying for a position of this class should have any combination of the following experience and training.)

Two years experience in Class III Wastewater Treatment Plant operations; Class II wastewater treatment plant operator's certificate; and possession of a Class B commercial driver's license or ability to obtain within 6 months (the City can help with the training).

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Plant operations equipment, including, but not limited to, electric motors, gas/diesel engines, pumps, hydraulics, toxic gas regulators, flammable gas compressors and burners, microprocessor control units, chemical metering devices, 10-wheel dump truck, track loader, separation equipment belt press, maintenance equipment, including, but not limited to, power pipe auger, torch, roto hammer, electronic test equipment, steam cleaner, drill press, hand tools, plumbing tools, cleaning equipment, lawn-care power and hand tools; various laboratory equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

(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 frequently works outside in all weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in office settings.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Adopted: 9/82 Revised: 9/91, 5/94, 6/99, 12/01, 1/13, 6/16