Water/Wastewater Plant Operator

Skilled work involved in the operation of a water or wastewater treatment plant to produce quality potable water or wastewater effluent in compliance with federal and state environmental regulations. 

• Operate and adjust treatment plant pumps, motors, feeders and other equipment to maintain appropriate plant operations to ensure treated water quality meets state/federal standards;
• Performs routine treatment plant rounds; inspect, monitor, troubleshoot, performance test and document plant processes by reading plant equipment gauges, graphs, online analyzers, meters, SCADA systems and other instrumentation;
• Keeps daily log of shift operations and relays pertinent information on to incoming shift; reads logs of previous shifts and records operational data required by state and federal regulations;
• Keeps plant superintendent and maintenance aware of operational and maintenance issues;
• Handles bulk chemicals including ton cylinders of chlorine, coagulant fluoride, polymer, zinc orthophosphate, and sulfur dioxide;
• Makes certain that backup equipment is in working order to prevent/minimize mechanical breakdown from interrupting the treatment process; 
• Perform general plant facility maintenance such as cleaning, painting and repairing plant facilities; 
• Perform semi-skilled maintenance such as replacing chemical feed tubing, installing/adjusting basin flight chain, and UV disinfection maintenance
• Perform various grounds maintenance duties as required;
• Collect and analyze process control samples and make proper plant adjustments; 
• Runs lab tests on weekends and when lab technician is not available; 
• Attend training as needed to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, as well as obtain required certifications;
• Assist in emergency operations as needed; and
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

• Ability to make most operational decisions independently under normal operations, but will likely require direction from senior operator or  W/WW Plant Manager during abnormal operating conditions;
• Ability to recognize alarm conditions and take appropriate corrective action Knowledge of state standards for water and wastewater treatment; 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with plant personnel, other City staff, and the public; 
• Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures, rules/regulations and   carry out operational directives; 
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of the safe operation of water and/or wastewater plant; 
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and application of appropriate safety precautions; 
• Knowledge of the safe and proper use of all equipment, tools and machinery; 
• Skill in reading meters and charts accurately and to maintain required records; 
• Skill in performing basic standardized lab tests under direction involving chemical analysis and following appropriate laboratory procedures;  
• Skill in performing mathematic and algebraic calculations accurately; 
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing; 

Salary : $38,147 - $40,726