Water Systems Operator - Treatment

PAY RANGES:
Operator I: $16.94
Operator II:  $18.13 - $20.00 DOE
Operator III $19.40 - $23.00 DOE

DEFINITION:

Under close to general (depending on the Grade Level), this classification performs a variety of skilled work tasks in the installation, inspection, operation, maintenance and repair of the City’s Water Infrastructure (Treatment) system.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification outlines a series of skill levels within the Water Treatment Division.  The selected incumbent will be hired in the appropriate skill level in accordance with qualifications.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.  Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

 

OPERATOR I
Under immediate supervision performs basic installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of wastewater treatment system.

• Assists with the operation, maintenance and control of water treatment plant including the operation of valves, gates, pumps and machinery and filtration systems.
• Assist with basic electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Assists with ensuring treatment plant operations are performed in accordance with quality standards, and safety regulations and procedures; and that they meet Local, State and Federal regulations pertaining to the production of potable water.
• Assists with observing variations in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings, and reporting anomalities to Supervisor/Chief Operator.
• Assist with water sampling by collecting, labeling, and documenting water samples for laboratory testing and performs simple tests on water.
• Applies and properly disposes of chemicals, pesticides, disinfectants, and oxidizing agents encountered in duties.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

OPERATOR II
Under general supervision performs all the essential functions of Operator Level I, at a higher skilled level, in addition to the following essential duties:

• Perform process control interpretation.
• Perform laboratory practices, instrumentation and chemicals handling.
• Conduct intermediate mechanical and electrical troubleshooting.
• Maintain understanding permitting requirements from ADEQ.
• Maintain recordkeeping in excel spreadsheets, charts and log sheets.
• Perform plant equipment maintenance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

OPERATOR III – Lead
Under general supervision functions in a lead capacity, guiding lower-level operators, providing instruction, training and assessing performance in addition to the following essential functions:

• Leads operators on tasks of a more complex and progressively responsible level and monitor their performance.
• Compiles data on daily, weekly and monthly basis; tracks logs; perform complex data interpretation and prepares reports.
• Perform complex water treatment quality assessments.
• Locate water lines, manipulate valves and install water hydrants.
• Instruct, adjusts and test flow, sampling and metering equipment.
• Monitor water wells, test for chlorine and collect and record daily readings.
• Monitor proper traffic control.
• Manipulate water system appurtenances.
• Prepare draft plans for special projects.
• Perform adjustment of process controls.
• Assures compliance with Federal, State and local regulations.
• Participates in budget preparation and records data on various spreadsheets.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

OPERATOR I
High school diploma or GED equivalency and one (1) year of experience in plumbing and/or construction experience.  Satisfactory completion of the one-year Water/Wastewater Apprenticeship Program can suffice the required one year of experience for Level I.
 
OPERATOR II
High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of experience in a water treatment system operation.
 
OPERATOR III
High school diploma or GED and three (3) years of experience in a water treatment system operation.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

• Must have a valid Arizona Driver’s License at the time of application and must be maintained throughout employment.

• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Distribution Certification Grade I and must be maintained throughout employment. Can be attained within 6 months of employment. 
• Arizona Department of Enviornmental Quality (ADEQ) Water Treatment Certification at the appropriate level and must be maintained throughout employment. 

1. Operator I:  Grade I – if doesn't possess, attain within 6 months of employment as Level I Operator.
2. Operator II: Grade II – must possess at time of application.
3. Operator III: Grade III – must possess at time of application.

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures
• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the operation of wastewater treatment plant.
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing potable water treatment plant and emergency response.
• Safe work practices and occupational hazards
• Basic operational practices and principles of conventional water treatment processes 
• Advanced water treatment processes such as membrane filtration plants
• Laboratory practices to properly evaluate treatment processes such as DO, pH, jar test, CL2 residual, turbidity, color, hardness, TSS, TDS, etc.
• Chemical/physical processes used in water treatment processes such as coagulation, flocculation, settling, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection
• Mechanical and electrical trouble shooting
• OSHA guidelines related to treatment facilities
• Microsoft Office products.

Ability to:

• Use and maintain tools and equipment to perform maintenance and repairs
• Successfully pass the medical assessment as part of the City of San Luis Respirator Program.
• Complete mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions.
• Make routine operating adjustments and repairs to equipment.
• Follow safe work practices, and verbal and written instructions.
• Inspect and monitor machinery and equipment to verify compliance with prescribed operating conditions and safety standards.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with others.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Be subject to call back, overtime, and weekend/holiday emergency call-outs and on-call duty.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Residency within 25 miles of San Luis and within the US required.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

 

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

 

Work Environment

The employee may be exposed to safety hazards including extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat and cold, dangerous gases/chemicals, biological hazards, confined spaces and dangerous tools and equipment.

 

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position requires availability to work a rotating on-call schedule and responding to emergencies during weekend and holidays.

Salary : $17 - $23