Operator

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Under the general supervision of the Water and Wastewater Superintendent, this employee operates equipment and performs processes at the wastewater treatment plant, performs preventative inspections and maintenance for equipment and facilities at the plant and conducts tests to ensure proper treatment of wastewater. Work tasks include plant and equipment maintenance, equipment adjustments (valves and pumps), laboratory testing, cleaning and maintaining the plant administrative building and other treatment plant buildings, cleaning plant tanks, monitoring plant operations for effective and efficient wastewater processing and picking up supplies and parts from the warehouse or supplying vendors. The employee monitors control panels, meters and processing equipment and adjusts when required. The employee troubleshoots plant equipment to ensure full operational effectiveness. Employee performs preventive maintenance on plant machinery and equipment and maintains preventative maintenance records. Employee may handle plant treatment chemicals and operate heavy equipment associated with treatment plant operations. The employee ensures all plant operations are in full compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and requirements. The employee keeps records on equipment operation and functions and testing results. The employee operates heavy equipment utilized in treatment plant operations such as tractors and backhoes. This employee cleans treatment tanks and performs grounds maintenance at the treatment plant. This job is considered safety sensitive and is subject to pre-employment background checks and random drug screens.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Treatment Plant Operation. Operates wastewater treatment plant processes and equipment.

1. Operates wastewater treatment plant to ensure proper removal of all harmful bacteria and to ensure all effluents meet safety standards.
2. Monitors and adjusts plant valves and controls, meters and processing equipment.
3. Troubleshoots equipment to ensure effective operation.
4. Performs routine preventative maintenance on treatment plant equipment.
5. Keeps records on treatment plant operations and testing results.
6. Cleans treatment tanks as needed.
7. Ensures all plant operations meet or exceed state and federal operational guidelines and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Equipment Operation. Operates a variety of heavy equipment used in treatment plant operations.

1. Operates equipment such as tractors and backhoes utilized in treatment plant operations.
2. Monitors equipment for needed repairs or maintenance; performs maintenance procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION: Maintains Treatment Plant Grounds. Performs treatment plant building and grounds maintenance functions such as mowing, painting and other routine maintenance tasks.

1. Maintains treatment plant buildings and grounds on a regular basis.
2. Monitors buildings for needed non-routine repairs or maintenance work; reports needed tasks to Water and Wastewater Superintendent.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possess a high school diploma or GED.
2. Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years' experience as wastewater treatment plant operator.
3. Possess a Grade II Wastewater Operator certification (if not certified incumbent is considered a trainee); at least eighteen (18) months working experience in a Grade II or higher wastewater treatment plant or twenty-four (24) months of combined experience in a Grade I, II, III or IV wastewater treatment plant. A maximum of nine (9) months credit of working experience may be allowed for the completion of or attendance at ADEM-approved training programs, classes or seminars.
4. Possess a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or obtain this license within six (6) months of employment; must be insurable.
5. Ability to travel to attend professional development training programs or training programs.
6. Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and an initial drug screen.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (* Can be acquired on the job)

1. Knowledge of City rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
2. Knowledge of City wastewater treatment system and processes.
3. Communication skills to effectively communicate internally and externally, both orally and in writing.
4. Verbal skills to effectively communicate with co-workers, supervisors, contractors, vendors and the general public.
5. Writing skills to prepare reports and other materials using correct English, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
6. Math skills to perform basic calculations (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
7. Ability to use computers and office productivity software.
8. Ability to operate equipment used to operate and maintain the treatment plant.
9. Ability to troubleshoot treatment plant equipment to identify problems.
10. Ability to monitor and understand treatment plant monitoring and reporting equipment.
11. Ability to maintain professional attitude.
12. Ability to use a telephone.
13. Ability to deal with all contacts in a courteous and patient manner.
14. Ability to prioritize work projects and multi-task.
15. Ability to organize files and work projects.
16. Ability to work with little or no supervision.
17. Ability to drive.

Physical Demands The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing of tall ladders, lifting heavy objects over 50 lbs., and crouching or crawling in restricted areas. Work Environment The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress which require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g., working at great heights, under extreme weather conditions or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled.