Plant Operator I

Job Summary

Performs entry-level work involving operation and maintenance of plant systems and related equipment for an assigned division/function, which may involve wastewater treatment plant systems, cooling plant systems, or other facilities as assigned. This classification works under the close supervision of licensed operators and is intended to serve as a training position.

Essential Functions

• Assists in operating wastewater treatment plant equipment to ensure proper treatment of wastewater and production of effluent water, with work performed under supervision of certified operators; monitors effluent storage facilities, conducts laboratory testing, and logs meter readings of effluent sites and plant flow; monitors and maintains sidestream flows during low-flow situations; monitors holding ponds, park ponds, and golf course ponds; monitors chemical levels and administers chemicals into processes; adds enzymes to process; raises and lowers baffles in aeration basins; monitors and administers alum; checks bioxide stations; checks sludge blankets; monitors and controls return sludge rates and waste sludge rates; runs sludge belt presses in emergency situations; transfers sludge to gravity thickener; presses sludge; changes chlorine cylinders and bar screens; maintains grit system; drains clarifier scum troughs; skims and backwashers filters; disinfects filters; troubleshoots lift stations; monitors odor control systems; opens/closes valves; applies lime to ground; cleans, contains, and decontaminates spills; bleeds condensation from air tanks; exercises pumps; bleaches auto sampler; hoses down aeration basins, clarifiers, and rotor walls.
• Maintains chiller equipment for campus buildings; maintains chiller supply and return to/from buildings; operates icemaking chiller and associated pumps/controls; checks cooling towers and chiller/condenser pumps; maintains logs of chiller operations.
• Collects water/wastewater samples for chemical analysis; conducts regular chemical tests to determine the chemical composition of water, to control quality, and to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, with work performed under supervision of certified operators; prepares samples for laboratory testing; performs testing to identify levels of alkalinity, calcium hardness, chlorine, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, pH, silt density index, settleable solids, suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, volatile solids, or other materials; conducts periodic quality control tests; logs test results on daily charts and log sheets.
• Monitors gauges, meters, and charts to ensure proper plant operations; maintains logs/records of plant operations, meter/gauge readings, test results, chemical applications, and other data; assists in preparing mandatory reports for submission to regulatory agencies.
• Performs plant maintenance, building maintenance, grounds maintenance, or general/manual tasks in support of division operations; calibrates equipment/instruments; cleans/replaces filters; cleans and replaces vessel membranes; mixes chemical solutions; inspects fire extinguishers; resets electrical circuits; paints surfaces; rakes grounds around dumpster; loads/unloads materials; lifts/moves heavy materials; maintains plant security.
• Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep plant facilities, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, performing minor repairs, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
• Operates various machinery, equipment and tools associated with plant operations, which may include a motor vehicle, dump truck, backhoe, loader, chemical feeder, pump, well, motor, valve, generator, reverse osmosis skid, membrane softening skid, chlorinator, hoist, pH meter, turbidimeter, spectrophotometer, dissolved oxygen meter, hazardous gas meter, gauges, chlorine analyzer, belt press, titration equipment, degasifier, odor control unit, telemetry system, vacuum cleaner, safety equipment, laboratory instruments, testing materials, rake, shovel, hand tools, or mechanic tools.
• Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure the safety of employees and other individuals; reports unsafe conditions or activities to the supervisor.
• Monitors inventory levels of division equipment, chemicals, and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requests for new or replacement materials; receives incoming orders of chemicals and supplies; conducts periodic inventory counts.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED* required.

• Five (5) months of related experience preferred.
• Fingerprinting Required. *General Educational Development (GEDs) must be issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator. For Florida, the approved GED Administrator would be the Florida Department of Education (public schools or adult education centers).
• Must obtain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class “C” Water Treatment or Wastewater Treatment Certificate within 2 years of hire.
  
  

Supplemental information

• Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.
• Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County’s Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.
• This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.
  
  

Collier County BCC offers a variety of benefits to both regular full and part time employees. For information, click here to view the comprehensive benefits package we have to offer you when you join our team.

Individuals hired into temporary positions for a period of less than six months, volunteers and interns are not benefit eligible. Temporary employees hired for longer than six months may be eligible for Florida Retirement System Benefits as well as others required by law.

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APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I understand and agree with the statements above.
• I do not agree with the statements above.
  
  

02

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Do you possess five (5) months previous experience and/or training involving wastewater treatment plant operations, industrial cooling system operations, and/or equipment maintenance?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Do you possess a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class "C" Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license; or are you able to obtain within two (2) years of appointment?

• Yes
• No
• Willing to Obtain
  
  

05

How much experience do you possess involving wastewater treatment plant operations, industrial cooling system operations, and/or equipment maintenance?

• No Experience
• 1-2 Years of Experience
• 3-5 Years of Experience
• 6-9 Years of Experience
• 10 Years of Experience
  
  

06

Are you willing to work evenings, nights, and weekends, including holidays?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Are you willing to work overtime as needed?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question