Water Operator

Join the team at Rivanna Authorities for a valuable career in public service. We are guided by our Mission & Values. We constantly strive to improve essential services in the County of Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville.

Mission: Our knowledgeable and professional team serves the Charlottesville, Albemarle, and UVA community by providing high-quality water and wastewater treatment, refuse, and recycling services in a financially responsible and sustainable manner.

Rivanna Authorities consists of two entities: Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) and Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA). Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA) is an independent public agency and wholesale water provider. We provide wholesale water supply, water treatment, and wastewater interception and treatment for the City & Albemarle County. Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) provides recycling, solid waste, and household hazardous waste disposal services to City & Albemarle County residents from our facilities at Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling, McIntire Recycling, and the Paper Sort Facility on Meade Avenue.

Vision: To serve the community as a recognized leader in environmental stewardship by providing exceptional water and solid waste services.

Values: The Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority and Rivanna Solid Waste Authority are committed to the following values:

• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Respect
• Quality

The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is looking for a Water Operator to join our team. This is a great opportunity to start a career and while this job does require a license from the state of Virginia, we will train you and give you the experience you need to get your license if you do not have it. This position is a shift work position, with both day and overnight shifts.The work schedule is a 12-hour rotating shift, 6am to 6pm or 6pm to 6am and includes weekend and holiday work. RWSA pays an overnight shift differential to people who work regular overnight shifts. You will be sample testing, controlling and adjusting mechanical, electrical, electronic and chemical equipment, and ensuring that Charlottesville and Albemarle County have clean drinking water.

Virginia requires that any individual operating a water or wastewater treatment plant (as defined by the law) must have a license of the appropriate category and class. Plant classifications are based on the volume of water/wastewater treated and the complexity of the treatment system. Plant classes range from 1-4. Class 1 facilities are the largest and/or most complex treatment systems operated in Virginia. Responsibility for administration of the licensing program is assigned to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Each Operator at Rivanna Authorities is expected to work towards certification of their Virginia Water/Wastewater Operator License Class 1.Pay will depend on experience and licensing. Salary to commensurate with experience and licensure tier: $22 to $45/hour depending on License class.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operates domestic water treatment systems including chemical and physical processes;
• May be assigned and may operate any RWSA water facility and/or process;
• Conducts regular walking inspections of facility; observing process control parameters via SCADA, various instrumentation screens, and results of laboratory analyses; and anticipates and plans for flow changes and treatment system adjustments;
• Responds to all alarms, failures, and process needs occurring at any water facility;
• Reads meters and gauges, enters data in operational logs and computer spreadsheets, and completes other permanent and temporary records and reports;
• Observes operations of chemical feed systems, and replenishes as needed, monitors and measures feed rates on a regular and timely basis, adjusts feed rates to meet treatment needs and operating permit goals and requirements;
• Disassembles pipes and clears out pumps when clogged;
• Changes and cleans screen filters;
• Collects samples and performs analyses on water samples as scheduled and as needed, collects and submits to central laboratory all required samples, interprets tests results and makes corresponding treatment process changes where necessary, and conducts special tests as required by supervisor;
• Understands plant valving and piping systems and makes changes to flow patterns as needed;
• Maintains plant equipment;
• Performs preventive and minor maintenance on equipment and assists maintenance personnel as needed;
• Responds to maintenance problems with appropriate action and is aware of process alternatives;
• Checks pump stations, cleans basins, and assists in filter testing while on utility shifts;
• Performs duties and tasks in an environmentally friendly manner following Environmental Management System guidelines;
• Performs general housekeeping and other building and grounds tasks as assigned;
• Performs duties in accordance with all local, state and federal laws, rules and guidelines;
• Maintains effective working relationship with Authority staff and the public; follows procedures and properly responds to any complaint;
• Remains aware of and abides by RWSA personnel policies and practices;
• Performs job tasks safely and abides by Authority safety regulations;
• Performs related tasks as required.