Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I,II or III - Foothills Utilities

Under general supervision performs mid to high journeyman-level operational tasks involved in the operation and maintenance of the Utility's water or wastewater treatment plant equipment and processes. Provides daily leadership and direction for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Apprentice, I and II. Acts as the On-Site Operator to verify compliance with State and Federal environmental regulations, and Utility policies, procedures and standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversees the operation of plant equipment and processes related to water and wastewater treatment systems during an assigned shift in accordance with the strategies developed by the Operations Supervisor and Plant Superintendent, including the operation of ancillary facilities and equipment; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Monitors WW operations to verify treatment plant performance is stable, and in compliance with State and Federal environmental and safety regulations, and Utility policies, procedures and standards.
• Inspects all treatment plant equipment, and assures equipment is functioning within technical parameters.
• Monitors and evaluates Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) process control systems information; monitors data and error reports, evaluates operational and maintenance issues, and makes functional adjustments to treatment components within scope of authority and training.
• Identifies and diagnoses operational problems, discusses scope and attributes of problems with staff and management, and recommends alterations, adjustments, and procedural changes to correct problems and maintain system stability.
• Oversees treatment chemical and their uses; including making chemical feed adjustments, how to unload, store and uses various chemicals, i.e. sulfuric acid, caustic soda, and chlorine.
• Acts as the treatment plant Onsite Operator as defined by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and coordinates the activities of lower-level operations staff; responds to operational incidents, and takes command when appropriate
• Samples and analyzes influents/effluents, source water/product water, feed water and permeate to detect quality variations, interpret results, reading sheets, process test, computerized data and information trends to identify variations in flow and water quality and make appropriate changes.
• Uses a variety of standard testing procedures to determine problems and any adjustments needed in the treatment process.
• Records operational data, telemetry readings, work logs and other prescribed work documentation.
• Supports the relationship between the Utility and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and Utility staff; promotes the Utility goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all Utility policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and Utility information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

High School Diploma or GED equivalent AND a minimum of three years of work experience in advanced and complex water or wastewater treatment facilities.

Knowledge of:

• Utility policies and procedures.
• Tools and equipment used in the operation of water or wastewater treatment plants.
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing water or wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Protocols for industrial chemical usage and storage
• Advanced computerized systems utilized in water and/or wastewater treatment facilities.

Water

• Laboratory practices required to properly evaluate treatment processes, such as DO, pH, jar test, CL2 residual, turbidity, color, hardness, TSS, TDS, Chemical/physical processes used in water such as coagulation, flocculation, settling, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
• Operational practices and principles of conventional water treatment processes and knowledge of advanced water treatment processes such as membrane filtration plants.
• Experience in mechanical and electrical trouble shooting.
• OSHA guidelines related to large treatment facilities.
• Microsoft Windows Office products.

Wastewater

• Laboratory practices required to properly evaluate treatment processes, such as BOD, DO, pH, jar test, CL2 residual, turbidity, COD, color, TSS, TDS, fecal coliforms and total coliforms.
• Chemical/physical and biological processes used in wastewater treatment processes, such as coagulation, flocculation, settling, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and activated sludge.
• Experience in mechanical and electrical trouble shooting.
• OSHA guidelines related to large treatment facilities.
• Microsoft Windows Office products.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and applying technical standards and procedures, Federal and State rules and regulations, and Utility policies and procedures.
• Determine processing requirements; sample the influent and effluent at various stages of processing and identify problems and ensure proper and efficient operation of the treatment plant.
• Determine processing requirements; sample the influent and effluent at various stages of processing and identify problems and ensure proper and efficient operation of the treatment plant.
• Complete mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions.
• Making routine operating adjustments and repairs to equipment.
• Following safe work practices, and verbal and written instructions.
• Inspecting and monitoring machinery and equipment to verify compliance with prescribed operating conditions and safety standards,
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required. Must possess a Grade I, II, or III operator certification from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality within the discipline of Water or Wastewater Treatment. Additional training and/or certifications may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed on location at Utility water or wastewater treatment plants with moderate physical requirements, and strength sufficient to lift and move items weighing up to fifty pounds; may be exposed to safety hazards including extreme weather conditions i.e. excessive heat and cold, dangerous gases, dangerous chemicals, biological hazards, confined spaces and dangerous tools and equipment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
This position may require working rotating shifts, rotating on-call schedule, including weekends and holidays.

SALARY
$45,760 - $84,000 Annually

BENEFITS
Foothills Utilities, a NW Natural Water company is offering full-time regular employees the following benefits. A regular full-time employee is one who works greater than 30 hours per week. All benefits start on the first of the month following your original date of employment,

• Medical and Rx: Company will pay 75% of the premium for employee plus eligible dependents. Provider is Regence for medical and Rx.
• Dental: Company will pay 75% of the premium for employee plus eligible dependents. Provider is Regence for dental benefits.
• Vision: Company will pay 75% of the for vision for employee plus eligible dependents. The provider for vision benefits is Reliance.
• 401K Benefit: Company match of 100% of employee’s first 3% of elective contributions and 50% of next 2% of elective contributions (up to a maximum of 4% of eligible compensation).
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP): Employees are eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Disability (AD&D):Company provides Basic Life/AD&D insurance equal one times annual salary up to $100,000. Provider will be Reliance. Employees may purchase voluntary supplement life insurance for themselves and buy life insurance for their spouse and children. Provider is Reliance.
• Employee Assistance Program: Provided to all employees at no cost.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance: Short term disability benefits cover 60% of employee income up to $1,385 weekly for 24 weeks following a 14-day elimination period. This is a company paid benefit. Long term disability benefits cover 60% of employee income up to $7,000 monthly. This is a company paid benefit.
• Accident Insurance: This is a voluntary insurance paid by the employee. Provider is Reliance for accident insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Health and Dependent Care FSA’s are available through Paychex. Allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars each year for eligible health care and dependent daycare expenses.
• Holidays: 9 Paid Holidays - 4 floating holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO): New Hires accrue 15 days PTO starting on day 1.