What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operator-In-Training position at City of Hayward?
DEADLINE TO APPLY: 11:59pm on Friday, January 31, 2025
The City of Hayward is excited to announce its recruitment for the position of Operator-in-Training. This is the entry level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation series. Under direct supervision from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead Operator, the Operator-In-Training assists in the performance of a variety of routine cleaning, maintenance, and operational duties involved in the continuous operation of the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). The Operator-In-Training receives on-the-job training and experience in the in the operation of the WPCF and normally advances to WPCF Operator after gaining experience and meeting higher level proficiency requirements.
THE DEPARTMENT
The core mission of Hayward's Utilities and Environmental Services Department is to provide excellent, cost effective water, wastewater, and solid waste/recycling services to Hayward residents and businesses. The city collects and treats wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial facilities throughout Hayward to protect public health and the environment. Both biological and technological processes are used to treat and dispose of domestic and industrial wastewater at the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). The treatment meets the standards of the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
You are:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability and aptitude to learn electrical and hydraulic principles and identify and resolve problems with a degree of independence. Wastewater plant operations experience or prior course work in wastewater treatment is highly desirable.
DEFINITION
To assist in the performance of a variety of routine cleaning, maintenance and operational duties involved in the continuous operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Operator-in-training is the entry-level classification in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation series. Individuals in the classification receive on-the-job training and experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant and normally advance to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator after gaining experience and achieving proficiency that meets the requirements for the higher level.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Supervision is provided by a Wastewater Treatment Plant Lead Operator or other higher-level plant operations or maintenance supervisor.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None.
What you will do:
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Operate, inspect, and maintain wastewater pumping stations and treatment plants.
Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices.
Learn to maintain tools, equipment, materials, and worksite in proper and safe condition in accordance with work group practice and City policy.
Actively participate in the work group and City safety programs.
Learn, operate, and check the operation of equipment such as pumps, valves, belt presses, and digesters involved in the treatment of wastewater, digestions of sludge, and disposal of waste products to ensure maximum efficiency of plant equipment and processes.
Learn to perform the more complex and critical assignments.
Learn and perform operational functions, including collecting and sampling of wastewater, scum, grit, sludge and other materials at established times, standardized testing, various process changes, flow and pumping frequencies; process observations; belt press operations, sludge digestion, record keeping, transporting samples throughout the plant, and other duties performed by operators.
Learn, assist, and remove screenings and grit; clean influent grinders, primary, secondary, and other wastewater treatment equipment and facilities.
Learn and inspect plant equipment and report any failures or operating difficulties.
Learn and perform stops and starts and isolate equipment as required for repairs using approved lock out procedures.
Learn and shut down parts or all of the pumping and treatment stations and facilities; learn, clean, check, and service pits, screens, tanks, and machinery; return facilities and pumping stations to service.
Ensure that facilities are maintained in a neat, clean, and sanitary condition by cleaning, sweeping, hosing down, and maintaining buildings, grounds, equipment, piping, valves, etc.
Learn and perform route maintenance of machinery, structures, equipment, and piping.
Learn and utilize complex valving schemes and flow patterns specific to a variety of treatment processes.
Learn and mix basic chemicals solutions using manual and automated mixing devices.
Transport equipment and materials throughout the plant.
Learn and operate a forklift.
Drive a motor vehicle or forklift in the performance of duties.
Perform any other duties that are appropriate for the scope and level of responsibility of this classification.
Perform routine operational duties under the direction of a journey-level operator, supervisor, assistant supervisor, or senior operator.
Learn, assist, and perform routine operational, maintenance, and lubrication work on pumps, chains, motors, blowers, clarifiers, conveyors, belt presses, and other plant equipment under the direction of a journey-level or higher operator.
Load and unload materials, supplies and equipment.
Assist in the storage and transfer of sodium hypochlorite, polymer and other treatment chemicals.
Perform routine maintenance painting of machinery, structures, equipment and piping.
Assist in maintaining lawns, trees and shrubbery in areas surrounding assigned structures.
Learn to read meters, gauges, charts and instruments, change recording charts and assure their continuous operation and perform routine control tests.
Keep operational and maintenance records, such as plant operations log, test results, unusual operating conditions and maintenance work performed.
Use common hand and power tools.
Operate less critical or complex plant equipment and stations with immediate supervision.
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- General knowledge of and/or the aptitude to learn elementary mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principals; basic math; standard safe work practices; and common hand and power tools.
Ability to:
- Learn the practices, procedures, techniques, regulations, and laws pertaining to a wastewater treatment plant.
- Learn to operate, clean, and perform minor maintenance on wastewater treatment plant equipment and facilities.
- Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Accurately read and interpret a variety of meters, gauges and recording charts.
- Learn to interpret mechanical systems and piping diagrams.
- Learn to observe and accurately record operating conditions and prepare verbal or written reports.
- Learn to recognize unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions and exercise independent judgement within established guidelines.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Work with decreasing supervision while accepting increasing responsibility.
- Work effectively in a team-based organization focused on continuous improvement.
- Establish and maintain a positive customer service attitude and effective working relationships with customers.
- Work with others to solve problems.
- Pass the City of Hayward physical examination, including pulmonary function test.
- Read and write in English.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: None required.
Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and completion of requisite education to obtain Operator-In-Training Certificate.
Licenses and Certificates: Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California Driver's License.
Must submit a completed Operator-in-Training Certificate application to the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality within nine (9) days from the date of hire.
Must obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate as issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board no later than two (2) years after the first examination given by the board after the date of hire. NOTE: Failure to obtain the Grade I Certificate within the time stipulated will result in demotion to the position from which the employee was promoted, if available, or termination.
Depending on employee group, some of these benefits may include:
- Vacation - 80 hours minimum
- 15.5 Paid Holidays
- Generous employer contribution for Health, Dental and Vision coverage
- CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS members | 2.0% at 62 for New CalPERS members | 3.0% at 50 for Classic Safety members | 2.7% at 57 for New Safety Members) - No Social Security participation.
- Life and Disability Insurance and Paid Leave
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Health and Wellness Reimbursement
- Professional Development Reimbursement
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid)
Apply - submit a completed City of Hayward job application, license, and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, which fully describe the nature of their professional experience and qualifications.
Application Review -
B. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire
Written Examination - Tentatively scheduled for early to mid February 2025
Department Interviews - Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process. Tentatively scheduled for mid to late February 2025
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history verification, medical evaluation, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
Applicants will be notified electronically via Government Jobs as to their status in the selection process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they can receive email notice from Neogov/Government Jobs and the City of Hayward.
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. Our on-line application system is provided by Government Jobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Government Jobs Help Desk at (855) 524-5627.
Salary : $98,197 - $114,275
