What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - West Point D-Crew position at King County?
About the Role:
As a West Point shift operator, you will operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and control wastewater equipment to help prevent the spread of many contagious diseases and protect the environment, waterways, and the communities in Puget Sound. Successful candidates will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team that follows and maintains established safety policies, guidelines, regulations, and workplace standards.
This recruitment will fill one (1) vacant position.
About the Team:
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high-quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. WTD includes over 850 employees across multiple facilities and serves 2.0 million people. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to another generation that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency.
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 700 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.
We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Operator/Senior Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.
Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems using complex computer systems.
Start up and shut down equipment and processes for maintenance and contractors.
Perform maintenance on wastewater facilities, including buildings, equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, mowing lawns, and performing housekeeping tasks.
Communicate with the public, construction personnel, consultants, and engineers to resolve complaints, provide construction assistance, give tours, and carry out related duties.
Exchange information on wastewater operations, maintenance and processes with County staff and others as required involved in process control, maintenance, facilities services, off-site facilities services, and other areas.
Respond to unusual occurrences, assist in emergency responses, and may serve as on-scene incident commander.
Record technical data and daily activities on logs.
Perform all essential duties in compliance with safety guidelines, policies, and regulations.
Develop and review Process Safety Management (PSM), Preventative Maintenance (PM) and Hazardous Energy Control Procedures (HECP) and provide draft documentation.
Train others on site-specific areas through on-the-job-training.
What you Bring as a Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator – performs duties above plus:
Serve in a lead capacity to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, odor control equipment, biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes.
Provide advanced level troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, particularly in on-site, unusual and/or emergency situations.
Recommend and/or determine changes to wastewater process to meet federal and Washington State permits and regulations and to optimize plant performance.
Qualifications You Bring:
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling, plant-wide air, water, chemical, electrical, and hydraulic support systems.
- Knowledge of collection systems, including pump stations, regulator stations and miscellaneous structures, and disinfecting methods.
- Knowledge of mechanical and electrical theory, cross connections, and pumps.
- Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control.
- Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures.
- Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and practices.
- Skill in reading, recording, and interpreting instrumentation and control gauges and meters.
- Skill in operating basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment.
- Skill in operating complex computer control systems and identifying normal and abnormal operating conditions.
- Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and lab tests.
- Skill in manually starting and stopping equipment, systems, and processes.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining work relationships with diverse occupational groups.
- Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
- Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
- Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors, heat and high noise levels.
- Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently and as a team member.
- Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.
Competencies You Bring:
- Communicates Effectively - Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
- Nimble Learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
- Values Difference - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
- Situational Adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
Required Licenses for a Wastewater Treatment Operator:
- Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency, which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
- Must obtain a City of Seattle Boiler Operator Grade III license within 2 years of employment. (West Point only. The City of Seattle's requirement for operators to operate our boilers and raw sewage pump engines)
- Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
- Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or above from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency, which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
- Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License.
- City of Seattle Boiler Operator Grade III license.
- CPR and first aid certification.
- Forklift certification.
- Work Location: West Point Treatment Plant - 1400 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
- Work Schedule: The treatment plants are operated 24/7. This position works a rotating shift schedule, which includes both day and night shifts, working 2x11.7 day shifts followed by 2x11.7 night shifts, followed by 4 days off. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division)
- Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform fieldwork at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors. A pre-employment physical, review of driving record, and reference checks will be conducted prior to any final job offer.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
To apply, submit a:
- Complete Application
- Cover Letter
- Copy of current Wastewater Operator certification
- Copy of valid Washington State driver's license
- Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Rodney Dungo
HR Analyst
rdungo@kingcounty.gov
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Salary : $41 - $57
