Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III

JOB SUMMARY: 

Under general supervision, performs the full range of journey-level tasks pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment and water recycling facilities, and related Wastewater Division facilities; and may serve as the Designated Operator-In-Charge (DOIC) on an as-needed basis.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the full journey-level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator series. An incumbent in this class works under the direction of a higher-level supervisor or manager. At this level, an incumbent independently performs the full range of journey-level duties associated with operating and maintaining the City’s wastewater treatment and recycling facilities and is fully certified and competent to serve as the designated Operator-In-Charge (DOIC) on an occasional basis. To qualify for this class, applicants must possess a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 

This class can be distinguished from the lower-level class of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II because incumbents in the latter class must possess a Grade II certificate and generally perform less complex plant operations and maintenance activities with a greater amount of direct supervision. This class can also be distinguished from the higher-level class of Lead Operator because an incumbent in the latter class serves as a regular shift supervisor on an ongoing basis and serves as a lead worker over subordinate employees, and must possess an SWRCB Grade IV certificate.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform the full range of journey-level duties pertaining to monitoring, operating, and adjusting controls at the City’s wastewater treatment and recycling facilities, and related Wastewater Division facilities. 
• Act as and perform the duties of the Designated Operator-In-Charge (DOIC) on an occasional basis as needed in accordance with State regulations.
• Must be available to work overtime and off-shift hours, including weekends, and/or holidays. Must be available to work standby and be on call. Must be able to respond to the facility within one hour of being called.
• Operates and monitors a wide variety of wastewater and water recycling treatment processes that use equipment such as valves, controllers, pumps, compressors, meters, cogeneration, solids dewatering, chemical feed systems, anaerobic digesters, clarifiers, coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation, disk filtration, and UV disinfection
• Empowers lower-level operations staff to be creative problem solvers
• Seeks out and requests resources and techniques to effectively supervise Wastewater Operators I/II to encourage the use of appropriate initiative, and sound decision-making towards becoming more skilled in the safe and effective operations of wastewater, and water recycling treatment processes
• Offering creativity and extending flexibility in solving problems and accomplishing the Wastewater Division’s goals and objectives
• Recommends improvement to procedures and equipment, and assists the Wastewater Operations Supervisor with identifying, operations related capital improvement projects or equipment
• Conducts general information public tours of the wastewater and water recycling facilities
• Proficient at using SCADA to monitor, control, troubleshoot, and generate operational reports for both wastewater and water recycling systems
• Regulates pressures and flow rates
• Reads and accurately records information taken from gauges, dials, and other instruments
• Performs operational and minor preventative maintenance on plant equipment; cleans, lubricates, and adjusts plant equipment and machinery
• Collects and analyzes water samples in a safe and proper manner as assigned
• Responds to alarms and changes in processes
• Maintains detailed and accurate operations and maintenance records
• Makes complex operational adjustments based on laboratory analyses, trending, recorded data, and interpretation of gauges and recording devices
• Leads by example and promotes and maintains safety in the workplace
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

 Knowledge of:

• General principles and practices of wastewater treatment plant and water recycling operations.
• Repair, maintenance, and adjustment procedures for wastewater treatment plant equipment.
• State and Federal standards and requirements related to wastewater treatment plant operation and maintenance.
• Safe work practices.
• Principles of mathematics, including algebra and geometry.
• Basic principles of hydraulics.
• Methods of effective interpersonal communication laboratory principles and practices.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as email, calendar, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Conduct work and plant safety programs.
• Perform complex and skilled operation and preventative maintenance functions related to wastewater treatment plant equipment.
• Actively listen and assist the Operations Supervisor in problem resolution and process improvement.
• Actively listen and provide coaching, and guidance appropriate to lower-level operations staff.
• Provide supervision to operations interns and/or volunteers as required.
• Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices reflecting wastewater treatment plant operations and make complex operational adjustments based on recorded data.
• Maintain and update logs, records, and charts.
• Enter operational data into the computer as required.
• Interact effectively with outside agencies and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. 
• Perform various wastewater laboratory analyses.
• Carry a pager and/or cell phone and/or laptop computer.
• Work shifts, holidays, and weekends.
• Work in confined spaces and/or respond in an emergency
• Be able to respond to after-hours emergencies within a reasonable response time not to exceed one hour under normal traffic conditions.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities is: 

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.  Technical or college-level coursework in environmental science, chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, or a related area is highly desirable.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION:

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License and a safe driving record
• Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• A Grade III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.
• Continued maintenance of a valid Grade III certificate is a condition of continuing employment.

The candidate will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list which normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Operating Engineers Local Union No.3  bargaining group.

Prior to appointment to the position of Wastewater Operator  III, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.

The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.

NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.

Salary : $85,495 - $114,571