Pretreatment Operator

INFORMATION REGARDING COMPENSATION:
The full salary range for the position is $20.51/hr. - $28.34/hr.
The general hiring range for the role is $20.51/hr. - $23.59/hr.
The hiring salary will depend on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and education.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance and repair of wastewater treatment facilities and systems. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator reports directly to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor but is granted some leeway for independent judgment and initiative. The primary duties of this class are performed in and around a wastewater treatment plant, a laboratory and field environment that includes working in adverse weather conditions, confined spaces, and exposure to hazardous materials. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent of this class. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Regularly checks the operation of all equipment for proper functioning as part of the preventative maintenance program; takes action, as appropriate, to extend the operating life of all plant equipment; starts and regulates the operation of electric motors, pumps and valves which control the flow of sewage or sludge. 
• Operates, repairs and adjusts pumps, valves, motors and other electrical/mechanical devices integral to the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Handles chemicals according to prescribed standards.
• Maintains a daily log of plant operations and a daily inventory of chemicals used.
• Reads gauges, charts, graphs, SCADA, etc. and understands their significance.
• Makes repairs to electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Operates and maintains lift stations on an interim basis.
• Performs required laboratory tests, including but not limited to quantitative and qualitative laboratory analysis of wastewater, biosolids and sediments for chemical and microbiological contaminants according to protocols such as Standard Methods, EPA 600, SW-846, ASTM, etc.
• Perform strict quality control (QA/QC) procedures including calibration of instruments, analyzing standards, keeping logs, and performing statistical analysis of data.
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on laboratory instruments.
• Perform interpretation and evaluation of analytical data.
• Modify, expand, and implement new analytical methods as necessary to adapt to different situations or improve efficiency.
• Record, calculate, and compile data utilizing computerized software, including spreadsheet and word processing applications.
• Perform routine laboratory duties such as preparing chemical reagents, media, and standard solutions.
• Operates belt press and hauls sludge to designated site.
• Maintains inventory of spare parts and tools.
• Collects samples of wastewater at various stages of the treatment process for laboratory determination of the effectiveness of the treatment process and to properly define the treatment stage. 
• Cleans facilities and operation equipment as required by daily visual inspection. 
• Maintains buildings, grounds, piping, roadways, and machinery. 
• Operates backhoe, dump truck, and other equipment. 
• Performs general building maintenance and grounds keeping.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• General principles, practices and methods of wastewater treatment and plant operations, mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Occupational hazards and safety.
• Proper methods of lubricating, maintaining, and adjusting equipment.
• Standard laboratory principles, techniques, equipment, and materials used in wastewater treatment plant operations.

 
Skill and Ability to:

• Check and detect flaws and defects in operation of equipment.
• Perform laboratory tests as required and maintain accurate records.
• Operate a variety of job-related equipment and perform minor repairs as required.
• Repair of mechanical equipment
• Perform physical labor.
• Read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language.
• Follow written and oral instruction.
• Communicate effectively to establish and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, organizations, and individuals encountered within the community and general public in performance of job responsibilities.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Perform time management, organizational, and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set task priorities.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop reasonable solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Work independently, with minimal supervision, and make appropriate decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Work well under pressure and maintain a calm and professional demeanor under stressful or adversarial conditions.
• Demonstrate patience, integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

 
Physical Demands:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communication with other employees and the public, and discern warning or emergency alarms, including vehicle backup warnings;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and work orders; read gauges and other indicators; perform laboratory tests; and operate varied job-related equipment;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a variety of power and hand tools and to make adjustments to equipment; 
• Sufficient strength to lift objects up to 100 pounds frequently.
• Sufficient body mobility, flexibility, stamina, and balance to perform operational and maintenance tasks which require stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing and working on ladders, working in enclosed and confined spaces.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an industrial environment with moderate exposure to noise, extreme temperatures, environmental elements and hazardous chemicals.
• Duties may require evening, weekend, holiday and/or on-call work.

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Experience in operating and maintaining equipment for a wastewater system including supplemental courses in electricity, SCADA, computer programming/operation, etc. -- Preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work of a Pretreatment Wastewater Operator.

 
License(s) and Certification(s):

• Valid Driver’s License – Required
• Class B with airbrake endorsement or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire
• Valid State of Idaho - Class I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License or the ability to obtain said license within one (1) year of hire.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.

Other licenses may be added or changed as conditions or operating requirements, or for consideration for additional compensation:

• Laboratory Analyst: I to IV;
• Wastewater Collections Operator: I - III

Salary : $21 - $28