What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Reclamation Plant Operator II - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Water Reclamation Plant position at Howard County Government?
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
This is semiskilled midlevel work in the operation, preventive maintenance, and care of mechanical equipment in a water reclamation plant.
Work includes testing samples of wastewater, assisting in the operations of intake structures, pumps, valves, solids handling and other plant equipment.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$24.55 - $30.67
$51,064 - $63,794
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Work is performed with supervision from a technical superior until such time as the incumbent achieves proficiency in the assigned tasks. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established plant routines and procedures. An employee in this class assists in the control and preventive maintenance operations of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift. Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
This job has no supervisory responsibilities. High School Diploma or GED or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Required to work a rotating shift.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
Ability to write simple correspondences.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Must possess, or be able to obtain through reciprocity, certification by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators as a Class "5A" Wastewater Operator upon selection.
A valid Maryland driver's license may be required, depending upon job assignment.
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
This is semiskilled midlevel work in the operation, preventive maintenance, and care of mechanical equipment in a water reclamation plant.
Work includes testing samples of wastewater, assisting in the operations of intake structures, pumps, valves, solids handling and other plant equipment.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$24.55 - $30.67
$51,064 - $63,794
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Work is performed with supervision from a technical superior until such time as the incumbent achieves proficiency in the assigned tasks. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established plant routines and procedures. An employee in this class assists in the control and preventive maintenance operations of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift. Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
- Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
- Monitors gauges, meters, control panels and process control computers; observes variations in operating conditions and reports routine as well as unusual meter and gauge readings, test results, and observations to superiors for determination of processing requirements.
- Operates valves and gates either manually or by remote control; starts and stops pumps to control and adjust flows, chemical dosages, and treatment process equipment.
- Inspects bearings, valves, seals, filters, generators, compressors, and other mechanical and electrical equipment; makes minor repairs to malfunctioning equipment; reports major or complex malfunctions to superiors.
- Obtains wastewater samples and performs routine laboratory tests and analyses as required by Federal, State, and local agencies for proper operation of the treatment plant.
- Performs routine maintenance functions and custodial duties including cleaning equipment and performing maintenance tasks around grounds and buildings; assists in the maintenance of the treatment plant equipment.
- Maintains shift logs, manually enters field and test data, records meter and gauge readings, and laboratory results.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance; lubricates pumps, conveyors, chains, motors, and related equipment; Performs minor repairs and adjustments; paints equipment, structures, piping, and other facilities when necessary.
- This position is considered emergency essential, and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or when an emergency situation arises.
This job has no supervisory responsibilities. High School Diploma or GED or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of elementary mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
- Knowledge of safe work habits.
- Knowledge of basic math skills.
- Knowledge of the operation of pumps, valves, gauges, and other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant.
- Knowledge of elementary lab and sample collection techniques.
- Ability to perform minor maintenance such as adjust pumps, valves, gauges, or other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant
- Ability to maintain simple written records.
- Ability to read gauges and meters accurately.
- Ability to follow oral and/or written instructions.
- Ability to work effectively with others.
- Ability to use basic hand tools.
- Ability to recognize unusual or dangerous conditions or situations.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Required to work a rotating shift.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
Ability to write simple correspondences.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Must possess, or be able to obtain through reciprocity, certification by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators as a Class "5A" Wastewater Operator upon selection.
A valid Maryland driver's license may be required, depending upon job assignment.
Salary : $51,064 - $82,826
