Salary: $59,015.00 - $67,721.00 Annually
Location : Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 03368
Department: Public Utilities
Opening Date: 06/13/2024
Closing Date: 7/11/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Under general supervision, performs responsible supervisory and technical work in the operation of the City's water treatment plant (electro-dialysis reversal (EDR) and conventional treatment) equipment to ensure distribution of safe, potable drinking water to the City. Operators work 12 hour shifts alternating between days / nights, and may be placed on-call as needed. Work involves operating the water treatment plant on a daily basis, periodically checking the water pumps, feed systems and tank levels, and making changes as necessary; calculating chemical feed dosages; and reading various charts, graphs, gauges and meters to ensure water quality and water flow. Employee is also responsible for handling calls for water and sewer emergencies after hours; supervising and training plant operators. Reports to the Assistant Water Production Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions

• Inspects and monitors water treatment plant equipment and machinery to determine that all machinery is operating properly and to ensure preparation of potable drinking water for distribution to City; takes samples of water at various stages of treatment processes in the EDR and surface water plant, conducts routine laboratory analysis to determine effectiveness of treatment procedures and records results; on the basis of test results, adjusts plant equipment such as flocculators, metering pumps, high rate/multi-media filters, chemical feeders, screens and related equipment.
• Monitors the EDR plant to maintain proper pressure/flow rates required in the manufacturers specifications and to notify plant maintenance and management should significant deviations exist.
• Monitors and regulates tank levels, flows and pressures within the water distribution system and throughout the plant, and makes adjustments to controlling machinery and instruments as necessary; monitors levels of surface water reservoirs and records findings.
• Maintains records of plant operations and prepares periodic reports for submission to supervisors or others as required or requested, or as otherwise deemed appropriate.
• Supervises and trains plant operators on duty (Water Treatment Plant Operator I's and Water Treatment Plant Operator II's) instructing and advising operators on operating policies and procedures, safety procedures, water quality standards, etc.; assigns and supervises activities of subordinate plant operators on an assigned shift; completes performance appraisals of subordinate plant operators.
• Monitors chlorine residuals at community well systems, and notifies Plant and Quality Control management of problems and/or deviations from standard levels.
• Utilizes plant computer system to monitor and operate the plant. Enters technical data on operations for completion of monthly reports required by state agencies.
• Monitors/maintains inventory of supplies of chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, carbon, sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate, corrosion inhibitor, polymer and various other chemicals; transports chemicals to proper feed points, filling and/or positioning tanks; and performs quality assurance tests for bulk chemicals.
• Performs minor repair and maintenance of plant equipment; submits work orders for equipment repairs.
• Monitors sewage pump station and well alarm systems.
• Acts as contact with the general public in emergency situations involving water distribution or sewer functions after hours and on holidays.
• Collects information from general public, evaluates the emergency situations and dispatches the appropriate employees.
• Performs routine custodial duties in various areas of plant, as necessary.
• Receives deliveries of materials and supplies, logging deliveries and overseeing proper storage of such items.
• Responds to after-hours calls in cases of problems or disruptions in water distribution or collection, customer complaints, natural or manmade disasters affecting plant operations, etc.
• Leads tours of treatment plant and answers inquiries pertaining to plant operations, procedures and programs. Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or closely related area and 5 years professional level water treatment plant operation or closely related experience ; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks Operators. Requires a valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water treatment and pumping plant equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities.
• Knowledge of the mechanical maintenance and lubrication requirements of the equipment operated.
• Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the treatment of water for distribution as drinking water.
• Knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• Knowledge of EDR system and conventional water treatment operations.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the fields of water treatment and water treatment plant operation.
• Ability to recognize breakdowns in water treatment plant equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures. Ability to make minor repairs of equipment operated.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment based on training and experience in making decisions and coordinating the proper operation of equipment.
• Ability to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water treatment equipment, chemical feed systems and other related equipment.
• Ability to secure the requisite operator's certificate as required by work assignments. Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.
• Ability to assign, supervise, instruct and advise subordinates.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to make oral presentations before groups of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to summarize, tabulate, or format data or information in accordance with a prescribed schema or plan, to facilitate the identification and extraction of useful information.
• Ability to give information, guidance, or assistance to people which directly facilitates task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.
• Ability to assist with achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials and supplies.
• Ability to use mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions.
• Ability to read technical instructions and procedures manuals to solve practical problems such as assembly instruction for tools and routine office equipment operating instructions; composes routine and specialized reports and forms with proper format.
• Ability to make frequent decisions, affecting the individual, co-workers, and others whom depend on the service or product.
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem solving; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.
• Ability to make moderately serious impact decisions- may affect citizens.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Ability to adapt and perform under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;
Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.
Paid Time Off (PTO) Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.
Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.
Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.
Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.
Alternative Work Schedule For some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following best describes your supervisory experience?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 6 - 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 8 - 9 years
• More than 9 years

03

Which of the following reflects your highest level of education?

• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• No Degree
• Some college
• High school diploma or GED

04

Are you certified as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks Operators?

• Yes
• No

05

Which best describes your years of experience in water treatment plant operation?

• less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 3-4 years
• 5-7 years
• more than 8 years

Required Question