Wastewater Treatment Operator

General Purpose

Wastewater Treatment Operator is responsible for the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities, odor control, and recycled water systems. Responsibilities include staffing; budget management; initiating, reviewing, and coordinating capital improvement projects; monitoring and reporting on performance and efficiency measures; and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Supervisor and Utilities Superintendent

Supervision Exercised

Exercises autonomy and sound judgement over tasks and employees as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluates, recommends, and implements division policies and procedures.
• Promotes and enforces safe working practices and coordinates training needs for staff.
• Inspects and oversees facilities to ensure safe, efficient operations. Identifies operational deficiencies and recommends solutions. Coordinates operations, maintenance activities, and emergency response with other groups and support staff.
• Develops, monitors, and analyzes metrics to improve the department's overall efficiency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Operate and maintain waste treatment ponds (Lagoons) in good performance.
• Take process control samples and interpret tests to make adjustment.
• Review and interpret operational records for signs of problems.
• Take flow, power usage, pressure, and chemical readings on plant.
• Measure influent, effluent, DO, PH etc.
• Operate/maintain bar screen, grit chamber.
• Operate/maintain aerator basin on Ponds
• Operate, monitor, adjust effluent disinfection system.
• Perform preventive/corrective maintenance on WWTP equipment (Inspect, lubricate, and/or repair)
• Perform operational duties at a wastewater Laboratory.
• Inspect and test collection systems, test for leaks in joints, taps, sewer lines and manholes
• Pipeline cleaning/maintenance; flush lines, locate and determine I, exfiltration, and diversion.
• Inspect and repair wastewater lines, laterals, mains, manholes.
• Lay new or replacement pipe, install taps and/or manholes
• Inspect, operate, repair/maintain lift station

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Highschool diploma or GED
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater, including three years of experience in a supervisor or lead capacity.
• TCEQ Class "C" or "B" Wastewater Operator license in Texas with wastewater treatment experience or ability to obtain in 6 to 9 months of hire.
• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated expert-level skills in wastewater treatment operations, regulatory requirements and effective management.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of standards and constructions practices.
• Demonstrated organizational and public relations skills.
• Ability to interface other departments and to establish and maintain effective and cooperative professional working relationships to meet business objectives.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex situations.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work hours other than the regular daytime schedule such as shift work, on call, or emergency response situations.
• Proficient in the use and application of computer software packages which include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Demonstrated organizational and public relations skills.
• Contact with internal and external customers, executive management, consultants, contractors, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

Special Requirements

• Experience in monitoring wastewater facilities using a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, with skill in running and analyzing trends to resolve issues.

Tools and Equipment Used

Personal computer, including word processor, spreadsheets, project management software, 10-key calculator, phone, copy machine, fax machine, etc. Tools and equipment to repair and maintain water and waste water systems.

Physical Demands

Working conditions are in an office and field environment. Field environment working conditions include frequent exposure to inclement weather; wastewater; mechanical, electrical, chemical and confined space hazards; offensive fumes; excessive noise; heavy traffic; deep excavations; and animals, snakes and poisonous insects. May be required to comply with requirements as specified in applicable regulations for personal protective equipment, including clearance for use of respiratory protection and other associated equipment. May operate a company vehicle.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those and employee typically encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is generally performed outside structures and inside buildings including but limited to confined spaces, open fields, residential and commercial structures. The noise level in the field work environment is typically loud.