What are the responsibilities and job description for the WASTEWATER PLANT OPERATOR position at City of Columbia?
This position performs skilled technical and manual work in the daily operation of the City’s wastewater treatment plant; prepares and maintains required records and reports; and performs related work as required. The class works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.
The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing, lifting, digging, pushing or raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic/caustic chemicals, disease / pathogens, confined spaces; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing, lifting, digging, pushing or raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic/caustic chemicals, disease / pathogens, confined spaces; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
- Monitors and performs all daily plant operations;
- Inspects equipment and processes to determine efficiency of operations, maintenance requirements, and cleanliness;
- Assists in troubleshooting technical and mechanical problems;
- Performs preventive maintenance on equipment; performs and/or assists with equipment repairs as needed;
- Monitors and records readings from meters, gauges and instruments;
- Starts up, shuts down, regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, compressors, grinders, blowers, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions;
- Adjusts chemical rates as indicated;
- Collects and prepares wastewater samples for laboratory analysis; performs lab tests and prepares laboratory reports;
- Unloads chemical delivery trucks;
- Cleans and maintains assigned vehicles and equipment;
- Alerts supervisors to unusual operating problems;
- Assists in ensuring plant compliance with City/department policies and procedures, S.C. DHEC regulations, and all other applicable laws, regulations, and standards of quality and safety;
- Prepares and maintains accurate and complete work records;
- Performs general clerical work as required, including preparing records and reports, completing forms, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, etc.;
- Attends meetings, training, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
- Works on call 24 hours per day for emergency response. Must also be able to be on call on a rotating basis, as needed, and must be able to work additional hours, weekends, holidays, etc., as needed in order to accomplish assigned work; and
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- High school diploma or GED;
- No prior experience required;
- Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
- Will be required to demonstrate competency and complete the necessary requirements in the Apprenticeship Program for Wastewater Plant Operators;
- Must obtain Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator “D” license within six (6) months.
Pay grade will be dependent upon certification and work experience for applicants who possess Class “A, B, C or D” level of certification: | ||
| Level | Pay Grade | Salary Range |
| Trainee | 107 | $39,024.00 |
| Operator Level "D" | 108 | $40,975.00 - $52,243.00 |
| Operator Level "C" | 109 | $43,024.00 - $54,855.50 |
| Operator Level "B" | 110 | $46,251.00 - $58,970.00 |
| Operator Level "A" | 111 | $49,720.00 - $63,393.00 |
- Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages;
- Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
- Ability to speak or signal to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature;
- Ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as public utility equipment and systems, heavy equipment and vehicles; may involve installation and testing. Involves operations of limited scope;
- Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving
- Ability to read routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures or work orders; writing routine sentences and completing routine job forms and incident reports; speaking routine sentences using proper grammar;
- Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
- Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.
Salary : $39,024 - $63,393
