Plant Operations Specialist

Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Water Pollution Control Bureau (WPCB) within the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Plant Operations Specialist to monitor Water Pollution Control (WPC) Plant operations processes and provide technical coordination among operations shifts and other plant units to ensure that the WPC Plant is running efficiently. The Specialist provides process engineering expertise for specific projects, research, or long-term process control functions and reports to the Plant Operations Manager.

Specific duties include:

• Monitoring a quality assurance program that identifies problems on an ongoing basis; including identifying process problems and/or inefficiencies, recommending changes to process and/or retraining in consultation with WPC Plant management;
• Evaluating the impact of issues and alternative solutions, including the development and interpretation of project concepts, parameters, and implementation guidelines;
• Evaluating WPCP Operations process statistics in relation to Federal and State safety and legal regulations and standards, ensuring standard operating procedures and regulatory mandates are followed;
• Evaluating daily logs, reports, and work orders from Operations shifts including providing professional expertise for specific projects and research on operations;
• Developing monthly reports, chemical contracts specifications, invoice approvals and chemical budget tracking and usage;
• Coordinating chemical test trials, monitoring chemicals' performance in operations and determining most appropriate methods and procedures to utilize to ensure optimization of specific operating systems;
• Coordinating special activities/testing events with contractors and other WPCP sections, ensuring normal operating procedures and processes are not adversely affected;
• Developing, coordinating and/or conducting training opportunities for shift supervisors and lead workers in operational and process issues;
• Providing oversight of apprenticeship program, monitoring progress and testing assessment; and
• Conducting public tours of the Plant and responding to inquiries from the public about Plant operations and coordinating with other departments.

The ideal candidate will have effective verbal and written communication skills with a background in industrial plant operations management including extensive knowledge of wastewater processes.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or a closely related field;
• Three years' progressively responsible engineering experience in wastewater, specializing in process control processes; and
• Possession of a Class I Operator's License in Waterworks/Wastewater Works or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

Industrial and/or municipal Plant operations experience with extensive knowledge of wastewater processes, including preliminary, primary and secondary (biological) treatment, advanced wastewater treatment with chemical addition for phosphorus removal, biological nutrient removal, filtration and disinfection with chlorination/de-chlorination; and
Proficiency with database applications and Microsoft Office Suite functions (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Special Requirements

1) Applicant must possess a Class I Wastewater Operator's License issued by the Virginia State Board of Certification of Operators of Water and Wastewater Works or obtain within 12 months of hire date.

2) The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid driver license, and the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

3) A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Additional Information

Work Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Occasional alternative schedule to adjust for evening shift presence (2-3 days/month). This position is located in a 24/7 operated facility and requires being available for phone consultation and/or call-back duty for work issues or emergencies, including weekends.

For more information on Arlington's family friendly benefits, click here.

The official title of this position is Water Pollution Control Plant Operations Specialist.

Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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