Water Plant Operator

Full information on the position, including examples of typical duties performed and a comprehensive list of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job can be found on the City of Midland website: www.cityofmidlandmi.gov. Interested candidates must submit an on-line application and resume through the City employment page: https://cityofmidlandmi.gov/1412/Current-Job-Openings

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to ensure reliable, efficient and safe supply of domestic and industrial grade water that meets or exceed all state and federal water standards. The incumbent accomplishes this through operational control and monitoring of the entire water system including water supply, plant filtration and treatment, related equipment, storage facilities, and pump stations.

This position is part of the Water Plant Operations team which must operate and monitor the drinking and industrial water systems year round, 24 hours a day. During evenings, nights and weekends, the plant operator may be the only personnel assigned to the water plant. As such, the Water Plant Operator is the final and essential link in ensuring a safe and reliable water supply that all stakeholders in the community rely upon.

Examples of Job Duties

The following is intended as a brief description/illustration of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of this position and are not intended to be all encompassing or all-inclusive.

1. Operates a 48 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant, raw pumping facilities, and distribution system, involving operation of one industrial and two domestic treatment process streams.

2. Utilizes SCADA computer system to control pressure, operate pumps, monitor turbidities, adjust flow rates, operate remote pumps and valves, and control water towers. Continuously monitors and makes adjustments so plant operates efficiently and pressure is maintained throughout distribution system according to regulatory requirements.

3. Determines adequate levels for treatment, flow, chemistries, and operation of three process streams. Each of the streams has independent clarifiers, filters, chemical feeds, pumps and different water chemistries.

4. Disinfects harmful disease-causing bacteria in the water to ensure public health and safety while complying with EPA’s Surface Water Treatment Rules by testing and monitoring for microbial contaminants, disinfectants, and filter turbidity.

5. Receives all water emergency calls. Communicates with central dispatch, assists customers with emergencies, and contacts Miss Dig when necessary. Evaluates situation and calls appropriate personnel to handle issues and emergencies.

6. Collects water samples, performs more than 90 chemical analyses, including hardness, alkalinity, chlorides, chlorine residual, fluoride, pH, UV254, calcium, conductivity, turbidities and bacteriological tests and uses this data to monitor and respond to the process variations as well as to meet regulatory requirements.

7. Gathers readings on chemical feeders and storage tanks, calculates chemical doses and adjusts feed rates according to changing water conditions and keep water within regulatory requirements.

8. Creates and evaluates daily analysis reports using data from flow numbers, chemical usage, filter turbidities, laboratory data, and sludge depth levels.

9. Monitors filter operation according to state and federal standards; backwashes media filters when needed or required.

10. Transfers lime, ferric chloride, and fluoride to storage tanks and bins. Prepares dry phosphate and polymer solutions to correct dilution specifications and transfers to storage tanks.

11. Receives chemical deliveries from bulk chemical tankers, direct delivery to the correct storage tanks/silos and ensures integrity of chemicals.

12. Ensures safe chlorine management practices. Responds promptly to chlorine leaks as well as initiating practice drills on a regular basis for emergency prevention. Assumes responsibility for monitoring and providing instructions to plant staff in emergency situations such as terrorist threat, tornado warnings, fires, etc.

13. During loss of power situations, responsible for initiating generator back-ups to ensure water supply continuity.

14. Inspects plant grounds, including chlorine building, raw pump building, thickener building, pump station, and drying beds noting any adverse conditions or security concerns. Immediately calls for appropriate response to any noticed concerns.

15. Addresses any observed maintenance issues, either handling minor issues directly or referring more complicated issues to maintenance staff.

16. Keeps accurate record keeping, such as monthly chemical inventories, monthly electrical usage readings, water plant meter readings for domestic and industrial usage.

17. Stays abreast of new and emerging trends and changing technologies in the field of water treatment and reads pertinent industry publications. Attends training, meetings, and conferences as required.

18. Supports core values, mission and goals of the department and the City of Midland.

19. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Associates degree in water environmental technology, chemistry, biology or related field.

2. Work experience in a scientific, chemical processing or related field required. In the absence of the education requirement above, a minimum two years work experience in water treatment related field is required.

3. Demonstrated proficiency in mathematics and chemistry fields, preferably including formal coursework.

4. Ability to secure and maintain a F-4 water treatment license, or other water treatment licenses as required by regulatory agencies or the Director of Water Services.

5. Highly effective and creative problem-solving skills in a technically complex environment. Must possess strong mechanical aptitude.

6. Ability to carry out assignments both independently and as part of a work group. Ability to lead a work group and achieve results.

7. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, stay organized and balance conflicting process deadlines with unforeseen events.

8. Ability to work well under pressure.

9. Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully, both in writing and verbally.

10. Ability to set and work within a budget to reach project goals.

Other Requirements of the Job:

1. Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the State of Michigan and must maintain a good driving record as a condition of employment.

2. Ability to work alone safely for long hours during when assigned to evening or night shifts.

3. Must be able to successfully pass City safety and equipment training programs as required.

Physical and Mental Demands:

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the individual must regularly and quickly traverse through a very large water plant and surrounding facilities (including ladders, stairs, tight spaces and uneven terrain); must be able to communicate with individuals in person and by telephone; repetitively operate and manipulate all standard office, SCADA and water treatment equipment; required to occasionally lift, move and secure objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to detect both visual and audio plant alarms and calls.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; effectively interact with other coworkers, other departments, and others encountered in the course of work.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.34 - $30.99 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $31