PLANT OPERATOR

The City of Wilmington, a leading Delaware employer, Provides the City's sanitation, recycling, street cleaning, water, and transportation services through the Department of Public Works. The Department provides a wide array of services, including once-a-week recycling and once-a-week residential solid waste collection, treatment and distribution of high-quality drinking water, collection and treatment of sewage, stormwater management, sweeping of all City streets, street paving and repairs, maintenance of traffic signs and signals, line striping, rodent control, snow removal, and maintenance of the City fleet and City properties.

Duties And Responsibilities

Under limited supervision, the Plant Operator leads and participates in work activities related to the maintenance and operation of the City's water distribution system. Oversee day-to-day complex operations of the water treatment plants, ensuring the consistent production of safe, high-quality drinking water.

• Monitor SCADA systems and online instrumentation, documenting readings accurately, and identify and report major mechanical defects.
• Operate filters, perform backwashing, conduct visual inspections, collect water samples, and perform routine chemical analyses, prepare routine operational reports, adjust chemical doses.
• Cleans screens at off-site locations, requiring pulling debris out of 10-foot grates.
• Operate a membrane filter plant and traditional sand filter plant interchangeably.
• Understanding of the Safe Drinking Water Act, maintaining knowledge of emergency procedures and shutdown protocols, follow SOPs.
• Perform minor repair tasks related to the water treatment process and perform routine calibrations.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with team members, supervisors, and external parties, train new staff members, and suggest operational improvements.
• Manually enter data into Hach WIMS software and analyze water quality trends to inform better treatment decisions.
• Perform all duties as assigned.
  
  

Education And Experience

Graduation from high school or completion of GED equivalency. Experience working as a water treatment plant operator or in a related field that provides familiarity with chemical testing, data interpretation, electronic instrumentation, and valves/pumps; or any equivalent combination of experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities preferred.

• Knowledge: Familiarity with start-up and shutdown procedures for valves, chemical feed equipment, and instrumentation in a filter plant. Understanding of water chemistry and the processes involved in drinking water treatment.
• Skills: Proficiency in operating machinery and equipment in a drinking water filter plant. Competence in chemical testing, monitoring plant processes, interpreting water quality data, and adjusting chemical feed equipment.
• Abilities: Ability to use lab equipment and perform routine calibrations accurately. Ability to inspect equipment for operational flaws and defects, while understanding and following oral and written instructions effectively. Strong awareness of safety precautions, emergency procedures, and occupational hazards in water treatment operations. Proficiency in reading meters and charts accurately, performing routine chemical analyses, and maintaining regulatory records. Competence in entering and managing digital data for tracking and reporting purposes.
• Licenses: Possession and maintenance of a valid driver's license with a clean driving record. Possess or Obtain the State of Delaware Base Level Water Operator License upon first opportunity and must maintain possession of license once obtained.
  
  

CANDIDATE EVALUATION

Evaluation for this position includes reviewing the application materials, certifying qualified applicants, and conducting a panel interview (in-person or virtual).

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

All selected applicants must pass a criminal background investigation and have a pre-employment physical.

• Physical Requirements: Able to sit, stand, and lift up to 50-100 lbs.
• Vision: Ability to focus vision up close and at distances and works at a computer viewing a screen.
• Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in an office environment with low noise levels.
• Location: Work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The position works in the office at the City/County building 800 N. French Street, 6th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801.
  
  

Total Compensation

Compensation encompasses both salary administration and a comprehensive benefit package

• Salary Administration: New employees are hired at the starting salary up to the median salary/ step four based on qualifications and internal equity within the classification. Merit increases are given after a satisfactory performance review.
• Benefits: A comprehensive benefits package is available from day one. Visit the website www.WilmingtonDE.gov/Benefits for details.
  
  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Open Competitive: This position is open to all applicants who meet the qualifications both internally and externally.
• To apply on-line visit our website at www.WilmingtonDE.gov. Computers are available for interested candidates in the Department of Human Resources, City/County Building, 800 N. French St, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. Contact Human Resources at 302-576-2460 to schedule computer use.
• Equal Opportunity Employer.
• City code provides a preference for eligible current city employees, veterans, and current city residents.
• The City of Wilmington is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Delaware Persons with Disabilities Employment Protections Act, it is the policy of the City to provide reasonable accommodation when requested without causing an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources at 302-576-2466.