Salary: $87,276.80 - $135,283.20 Annually
Location : Arlington, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 2605-24C-DES-DB
Department: Department of Environmental Services
Division: DES Water Pollution Control
Opening Date: 05/31/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information

NOTE : This is a re-opening to expand the pool of qualified candidates. If you have already applied for this position, there is no need to re-apply unless you wish to update your application.
The within the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Plant Operations Support Specialist to monitor Water Pollution Control (WPC) Plant operations processes and provide technical coordination among operations shifts and other plant units to ensure that the WPC Plant is running efficiently. The Specialist provides process engineering expertise for specific projects, research, or long-term process control functions and reports to the Plant Operations Manager.
Specific duties include:

• Monitoring a quality assurance program that identifies problems on an ongoing basis; including identifying process problems and/or inefficiencies, recommending changes to process and/or retraining in consultation with WPC Plant management;
• Evaluating the impact of issues and alternative solutions, including the development and interpretation of project concepts, parameters, and implementation guidelines;
• Evaluating WPCP Operations process statistics in relation to Federal and State safety and legal regulations and standards, ensuring standard operating procedures and regulatory mandates are followed;
• Evaluating daily logs, reports, and work orders from Operations shifts including providing professional expertise for specific projects and research on operations;
• Developing monthly reports, chemical contracts specifications, invoice approvals and chemical budget tracking and usage;
• Coordinating chemical test trials, monitoring chemicals' performance in operations and determining most appropriate methods and procedures to utilize to ensure optimization of specific operating systems;
• Coordinating special activities/testing events with contractors and other WPCP sections, ensuring normal operating procedures and processes are not adversely affected;
• Developing, coordinating and/or conducting training opportunities for shift supervisors and lead workers in operational and process issues;
• Providing oversight of apprenticeship program, monitoring progress and testing assessment; and
• Conducting public tours of the Plant and responding to inquiries from the public about Plant operations and coordinating with other departments.

The ideal candidate will have effective verbal and written communication skills with a background in industrial plant operations management including extensive knowledge of wastewater processes.
Selection Criteria

Minimum :

• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or a closely related field;
• Three years' progressively responsible engineering experience in wastewater area, specializing in process control processes; and
• Possession of a Class I Operator's License in Waterworks/Wastewater Works or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.

Substitution : Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.
Desirable : Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Industrial and/or municipal Plant operations experience with extensive knowledge of wastewater processes, including preliminary, primary and secondary (biological) treatment, advanced wastewater treatment with chemical addition for phosphorus removal, biological nutrient removal, filtration and disinfection with chlorination/de-chlorination; and
• Proficiency with database applications and Microsoft Office Suite functions (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Special Requirements
1) Applicant must possess a Class I Wastewater Operator's License issued by the Virginia State Board of Certification of Operators of Water and Wastewater Works or obtain within 12 months of hire date.
2) The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid driver license, and the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.
3) A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Working Conditions:

• The worker primarily performs activities in an office environment with occasional field work.
• The worker is subject to hazards which includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, exposure to high heat, exposure to chemicals and/or biohazardous waste.
• The worker is subject to one more of the following conditions: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, loud noises, gases or poor ventilation, oils, and other cutting fluids.
• The worker may be occasionally required to standing, crouching, stooping, bending, lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
• The worker may be required to wear common protective gear or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, or hard hats.

Physical Requirements:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Additional Information

Pay ranges listed above are effective June 30, 2024.
Work Hours : 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Occasional alternative schedule to adjust for evening shift presence (2-3 days/month). This position is located in a 24/7 operated facility and requires being available for phone consultation and/or call-back duty for work issues or emergencies, including weekends.
For more information on Arlington's family friendly benefits,
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.
The official title of this position is Water Pollution Control Plant Operations Specialist.
This recruitment is open until the position is filled with a preferred filing date of June 20, 2024. Applications will be screened on a continuous basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.
The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email .
Eligibility for Arlington County Government employee benefits depends on your position type (permanent or temporary) and your status (full-time or part-time).
More detailed information on benefits and conditions of employment is available on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.
Permanent, Full-Time Appointments
All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:
Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of five hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases gradually until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Paid parental and family leave benefits are also offered. Leave is pro-rated for part-time employees.
Holidays: There are eleven paid fixed holidays each year, as well as two floating holidays. Initial allotment of floating holidays may vary based on when you are hired.
Health and Dental Insurance: Four group health insurance plans are offered - a health maintenance organization, two plans with in-network only coverage, and a high-deductible plan with in and out-of-network coveerage, along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Group dental insurance is also offered, with two options for coverage. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. The County also contributes to the HSA.
Life Insurance: Basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance may be purchased for yourself, spouse, and/or children.
Retirement: The County retirement program is made up of three parts: a defined benefit (pension) plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. The County also contributes to this plan. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service.
For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)). The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to save for retirement on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your pay. A variety of investment options are available for the 401(a) and 457 plans.
Other Benefits: The County also offers health care, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other benefits.
Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:
Part-time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.
Limited Term Appointments:
Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.
Temporary Regular Appointments:
Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:
Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.
01

Be sure to support your responses to the supplemental questionnaire on your application. Please check all boxes which describe your education and/or experience as it relates to the minimum education criteria.

• I have a Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental engineering, environmental science, or a closely related field
• I have a Bachelor's degree or higher in an unrelated field
• I am substituting qualifying experience for the education requirement
• None of the above

02

How much progressively responsible engineering experience do you have in the wastewater area, specializing in process control processes?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 7 years
• 7 years or more

03

Please describe your progressively responsible engineering experience in the wastewater area, specializing in process control processes. If not applicable, put N/A
04

How much experience do you have as an operator at a water or wastewater plant?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 years or more

05

Do you possess a valid Class I Operator's License in Waterworks/Wastewater works?

• Yes
• No

06

Please list any other valid professional licenses and/or certifications you have obtained in the area of Engineering and/or water/wastewater operations. If not applicable, put N/A.
07

Check the Microsoft Office (or similar) software packages you have used and the types of documents you have prepared.

• No experience with Microsoft Office Software
• I have performed these functions using similar software (Describe on application)
• Correspondence using Word
• Reports using Word
• Forms using Word
• Spreadsheets using Excel
• Charts and graphs using Excel
• Slide presentation using PowerPoint
• Data bases using Access

08

This position requires the availability to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for work issues and/or emergencies. Do you understand and agree to the above statement?

• Yes, I understand and agree with the above statement.
• No, I am unavailable for this type of work schedule.

Required Question