What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Wastewater Plant Operator position at North Texas Municipal Water?
North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) provides vital wholesale water, wastewater and solid waste management services to more than two million people who call North Texas their home. Our culture is deeply ingrained in our core values of Integrity, Trust, Respect, Unity, Service, and Teamwork (ITRUST). Our employees will tell you they feel a sense of purpose and have a daily opportunity to make a positive impact on the cities we serve by helping to provide services that their residents and businesses need to thrive. We offer an array of excellent benefits, including comprehensive health and wellness packages, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and a robust pension plan to help secure our employees’ financial future. If you are looking for a rewarding, long-term career where you can make a meaningful impact on the North Texas region, look no further than NTMWD!
LEAD WASTEWATER PLANT OPERATOR
Start date is on or after 4/1/2025
Section 1 – Position Summary
Under the direction of the Plant Supervisor, performs, plans, organizes, manages, and supervises the operation, maintenance, renewal, and monitoring of wastewater facilities and associated systems including, but not limited to, headworks, liquid streams, solids handling, odor control, structures, SCADA, and lift stations; performs and/or manages a variety of work assignments to ensure acceptable asset condition, water quality, and health and safety standards are met or exceeded; and performs and/or manages related work as required to ensure efficient and effective facility operations.
Section 2 – Major Responsibilities
1. Work collaboratively with the Plant Supervisor, and Lead Wastewater Plant Operator(s) to manage treatment operators; assuring optimal process efficiency, proper monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
2. Monitor facility operations by observation, collecting and testing samples, and reading instrumentation (SCADA) to ensure compliant and efficient operations.
3. Perform and manage a range of treatment facility activities including, but not limited to, operation of equipment, maintenance, monitoring systems, managing equipment performance and process data, process improvement, record keeping, and preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary.
4. Provide adequate, timely, and essential information for preparation of the budgets, reports, and studies.
5. Assist in the preparation of work schedules and monthly, annual, and special reports on treatment facility management, renewal, operation, and maintenance.
6. Respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding facilities and odor complaints in a timely and effective manner.
7. Train, lead, and mentor staff, including assisting in evaluating the performance of staff; provide leadership by example and be a positive role model for NTMWD employees.
8. Create service requests for needed repairs and renewal; coordinate with maintenance personnel; and plan, perform, and implement maintenance procedures for treatment assets and lift stations (includes inventory control and management).
9. Vigilantly monitor the facility for any breaches of security and alert appropriate law enforcement agencies and/or supervisors, as appropriate for the situation.
10. Maintain thorough logs and records in both written and electronic form as required; use these records to improve the function and efficiency of various operations.
11. Maintain facility grounds and general housekeeping, as well as the appearance of the facility, in collaboration with other staff and outside contractors.
12. Assess, plan and monitor systems and assets during emergencies and scheduled shutdowns; troubleshoots, diagnoses, and reports problems; responds to emergencies; and schedules and coordinates responses, repairs, clean-up, remediation, etc.
13. Observe safety guidelines as required by State statues and as prescribed by the NTMWD. This includes identifying and mitigating safety hazards as well as assisting in the implementation of safety programs.
14. Coordinate with personnel to receive shipments, monitor unloading processes, record into inventory, and check shipment documents for compliance to standard.
15. Learn and comply with applicable NTMWD policies and procedures.
16. Assume the responsibilities of direct supervisor(s) and subordinates as required.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.
Section 3 – Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
1. Must maintain an in-depth knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, compliance requirements, operations and maintenance requirements, and reporting/record keeping requirements; including the ability to troubleshoot wastewater equipment and processes and be knowledgeable with performing wastewater tests and interpreting results.
2. Must communicate effectively, both written and verbally, with supervisors, peers and subordinates to convey information.
3. Maintain basic computer skills, and electrical and mechanical knowledge.
Section 4 – Education and Experience
1. Possess four (4) years of experience in wastewater treatment or suitable relevant experience, as determined by NTMWD.
2. Maintain a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (or predecessor agency) Class B Wastewater Treatment Operator's License.
3. Possess a high school diploma or GED (an associate degree or trade certification is preferred)
4. Maintain a valid Texas Driver’s License.
Section 5 – Environmental Factors, Activity Levels and Equipment
The duties and responsibilities are generally performed in a wastewater conveyance and treatment environment. The position involves sitting (up to 6 hours per day), frequent standing, frequent walking, light to heavy lifting (up to 75 lbs.), light carrying, frequent bending and reaching, keyboarding, and telephone operation. It often requires an irregular work schedule and overtime hours. Specific physical conditions require frequent work with chemicals, tools, machinery, moving mechanical parts, etc.
The duties and responsibilities are performed both indoors and outdoors. Moderate to heavy exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, biological hazards, rain, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials and chemicals, machinery, moving mechanical parts, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, and water hazards are common. Performs and reviews work at locations that involve hazardous environments requiring the physical ability to wear and work using personal protective equipment (PPE) that meet or exceed guidelines such as established by OSHA which may result in some physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, odors, chemicals and noise. The position may require work in confined spaces, on ladders and rooftops, and in adverse weather conditions with appropriate training.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
LEAD WASTEWATER PLANT OPERATOR
Start date is on or after 4/1/2025
Section 1 – Position Summary
Under the direction of the Plant Supervisor, performs, plans, organizes, manages, and supervises the operation, maintenance, renewal, and monitoring of wastewater facilities and associated systems including, but not limited to, headworks, liquid streams, solids handling, odor control, structures, SCADA, and lift stations; performs and/or manages a variety of work assignments to ensure acceptable asset condition, water quality, and health and safety standards are met or exceeded; and performs and/or manages related work as required to ensure efficient and effective facility operations.
Section 2 – Major Responsibilities
1. Work collaboratively with the Plant Supervisor, and Lead Wastewater Plant Operator(s) to manage treatment operators; assuring optimal process efficiency, proper monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
2. Monitor facility operations by observation, collecting and testing samples, and reading instrumentation (SCADA) to ensure compliant and efficient operations.
3. Perform and manage a range of treatment facility activities including, but not limited to, operation of equipment, maintenance, monitoring systems, managing equipment performance and process data, process improvement, record keeping, and preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary.
4. Provide adequate, timely, and essential information for preparation of the budgets, reports, and studies.
5. Assist in the preparation of work schedules and monthly, annual, and special reports on treatment facility management, renewal, operation, and maintenance.
6. Respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding facilities and odor complaints in a timely and effective manner.
7. Train, lead, and mentor staff, including assisting in evaluating the performance of staff; provide leadership by example and be a positive role model for NTMWD employees.
8. Create service requests for needed repairs and renewal; coordinate with maintenance personnel; and plan, perform, and implement maintenance procedures for treatment assets and lift stations (includes inventory control and management).
9. Vigilantly monitor the facility for any breaches of security and alert appropriate law enforcement agencies and/or supervisors, as appropriate for the situation.
10. Maintain thorough logs and records in both written and electronic form as required; use these records to improve the function and efficiency of various operations.
11. Maintain facility grounds and general housekeeping, as well as the appearance of the facility, in collaboration with other staff and outside contractors.
12. Assess, plan and monitor systems and assets during emergencies and scheduled shutdowns; troubleshoots, diagnoses, and reports problems; responds to emergencies; and schedules and coordinates responses, repairs, clean-up, remediation, etc.
13. Observe safety guidelines as required by State statues and as prescribed by the NTMWD. This includes identifying and mitigating safety hazards as well as assisting in the implementation of safety programs.
14. Coordinate with personnel to receive shipments, monitor unloading processes, record into inventory, and check shipment documents for compliance to standard.
15. Learn and comply with applicable NTMWD policies and procedures.
16. Assume the responsibilities of direct supervisor(s) and subordinates as required.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.
Section 3 – Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
1. Must maintain an in-depth knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, compliance requirements, operations and maintenance requirements, and reporting/record keeping requirements; including the ability to troubleshoot wastewater equipment and processes and be knowledgeable with performing wastewater tests and interpreting results.
2. Must communicate effectively, both written and verbally, with supervisors, peers and subordinates to convey information.
3. Maintain basic computer skills, and electrical and mechanical knowledge.
Section 4 – Education and Experience
1. Possess four (4) years of experience in wastewater treatment or suitable relevant experience, as determined by NTMWD.
2. Maintain a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (or predecessor agency) Class B Wastewater Treatment Operator's License.
3. Possess a high school diploma or GED (an associate degree or trade certification is preferred)
4. Maintain a valid Texas Driver’s License.
Section 5 – Environmental Factors, Activity Levels and Equipment
The duties and responsibilities are generally performed in a wastewater conveyance and treatment environment. The position involves sitting (up to 6 hours per day), frequent standing, frequent walking, light to heavy lifting (up to 75 lbs.), light carrying, frequent bending and reaching, keyboarding, and telephone operation. It often requires an irregular work schedule and overtime hours. Specific physical conditions require frequent work with chemicals, tools, machinery, moving mechanical parts, etc.
The duties and responsibilities are performed both indoors and outdoors. Moderate to heavy exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, biological hazards, rain, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials and chemicals, machinery, moving mechanical parts, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, and water hazards are common. Performs and reviews work at locations that involve hazardous environments requiring the physical ability to wear and work using personal protective equipment (PPE) that meet or exceed guidelines such as established by OSHA which may result in some physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, odors, chemicals and noise. The position may require work in confined spaces, on ladders and rooftops, and in adverse weather conditions with appropriate training.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Performs functions requiring manual dexterity and precision movements, continuous or repetitive arm and hand movements, grasping movements, and occasional forceful exertion.
- Perceive/discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth and visual cues or signals.
- Possess visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle (including while towing portable equipment), equipment, hand tools and a computer.
