Plant Operator I/II - CPEN

About the role

This series specification describes three plant operation classes which under the direction of the Wastewater Operation Manager perform a variety of skilled systems operation and repair work; and perform related work as required.

Responsibilities

• Learn and perform entry level plant operations under close supervisor of the Wastewater Operation Manager or his designate.
• Learn and perform working level plant operations under supervision of the Wastewater Operation Manager or his designate.
• Perform journey level plant operations and requires little supervision.
• Operate all auxiliary facilities such as potable water system, chemical handling, solids handling, pipeline conveyance, pumping stations, telemetry and industrial waste inspection.
• Disables alarms on the telemetry system and understands daily print-outs.
• Prepare and/or review procedures, programs, logs, charts and reports.
• Make operational adjustments to District plants.
• Work safely to ensure plant compatibility during operations, maintenance or testing.
• Perform laboratory process controls and NPDES tests.
• Perform routine inspections of equipment, tanks, structures, air handling equipment and duct works, checking for damage, oil leaks, excessive noise or abnormal conditions and keep supervisor informed of system status.
• Absorb and assist in the removal, repair, replacement, testing and servicing of plant and pump station mechanical equipment, vehicles, meters, valves, piping, engines and related parts.
• Clean and paint equipment, valves, tanks, piping structures as required.
• Assist in mowing, edging, weeding, removing, trimming, cutting, fertilizing of lawn, shrubs, trees, bushes and ground cover as directed and perform sprinkler repairs.
• Perform general building and plant custodial duties including minor repairs, as directed.
• Available for assignment to stand-by duty.
• Perform pick up and delivery tasks.
• Hauls trash to landfill.
• Unloads trash and performs vehicle maintenance.
• Originates repair requests to ensure equipment preventative maintenance procedures and system improvement modification tasks.
• Operate dump trucks, tractors, boom trucks, and other such equipment required to operate within plant compound.
• Assists in industrial waste inspection program.
• Interface with public on deliveries.
• Perform tasks on the in-house computers to process operational data.
• Receive on the job training to perform qualified, specific tasks on de-energized high-voltage circuits, and energized or de-energized low-voltage circuits.
• Perform related work as required.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum one year of wastewater utility experience.
• Education & Training: High school graduation or GED.
• Experience: Two or more years of increasingly responsible experience in a wastewater treatment plant or two years as Wastewater Treatment Operator I.
• Education & Training: High school graduation or GED, supplemented by specialized training and/or education in wastewater treatment.
• Minimum certification as a Wastewater Operator, Grade I (Plant Operator I) by the State of California Water Resources Control Board.
• Minimum certification as a Wastewater Operator, Grade II (Plant Operator II) by the State of California Water Resources Control Board.
• Certification(s) as Water Treatment Operator, Water Distribution Operator, Collection Systems Maintenance, Backflow Prevention Device Tester, Cross-Connection Control Program Specialist, and/or Mechanical Technologist is desirable.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid and appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession of current certification as HAZWOPER (Hazardous Materials Responder Training [24 hours]) or the ability to obtain required certificate within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of Operator-In-Training certification from the State of California Water Resources Control Board (Operator-In-Training).
• Possession of minimum certification as a Wastewater Operator, Grade I (Plant Operator I) by the State of California Water Resources Control Board Or the ability to obtain Wastewater Treatment Certification within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of minimum certification as a Wastewater Operator, Grade II (Plant Operator II) by the State of California Water Resources Control Board.

Skills

• Operating concepts and complex, multi-faceted wastewater systems.
• Operating principles of pumping equipment, associated motors and high voltage power systems.
• Operations record keeping procedures.
• The operation, capabilities, limitations, interrelationships and operating procedures of the District potable and non-potable water distribution systems.
• Variety of valves.
• Advanced mathematics applicable to the water/wastewater works trade.
• The operation of chlorinators and the safe handling of chlorine cylinders.
• Tools, equipment and methods used in the repair and maintenance of pumps, valves and pipeline equipment.
• English usage, oral and written.
• Safety precautions pertaining to the work, particularly relating to the operation of basic electrical pumps and motors.
• Basic principles of hydrology and hydraulics.
• Common groundskeeping tools and methods.
• Wastewater discharge limits.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance: Currently, the Kaiser plus Chiropractic plan is paid at 100% by the District for employee, employee + one and employee + family. The District also currently offers Anthem HMO/PPO plans for which the District and employee each pay a portion of the monthly premium. Dental (Delta Dental PPO) and vision (VSP) coverage are paid 100% by the District for employee, employee + one and employee + family.
• Retirement: All non-temporary employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CALPERS). Employees are enrolled in one of the following formulas based on date of hire.

Pay

• Plant Operator-In-Training 11 = $32.38 - $40.44
• Plant Operator-In-Training 12 = $33.20 - $41.46
• Plant Operator I 17 = $37.55 - $46.91
• Plant Operator I 18 = $38.49 - $48.08
• Plant Operator II 21 = $41.46 - $51.77
• Plant Operator II 22 = $42.49 - $53.07

Schedule

Available to work different shifts, including Standby, weekends, holidays and overtime. Safely operate loaders, dump trucks and industrial landscaping equipment. Safely perform chlorine container changes and chlorine regulator connections and disconnects.