Treatment Plant Operator A, B, C

Sign On Bonus: Class A up to $4,000, Class B up to $3,000, Class C up to $2,000

About the role

Under general supervision, performs technical work involved in the operation of the City’s water and/or wastewater treatment plants and related facilities, ensuring operations are within applicable regulations. Work involves performing preventive maintenance and minor repairs to equipment, utilizing SCADA, dosing chemicals, reading various gauges and meters, collecting lab samples, performing and recording required analyses and tests, and inspecting equipment for efficient operation. Independent judgment and initiative are required in developing operational decisions and to effectively communicate issues and concerns that may impact personnel and/or operations. General maintenance tasks including good housekeeping practices and maintaining the immediate grounds are required. Reports to the Plant Superintendent, or designee, as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Performs responsible and effective on-site operations of assigned treatment plant functions.
• Monitors all processes, equipment and controls to maintain compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations.
• Monitors gauges, flow meters, instrumentation, control panels, and various processes and utilizes the observed data to assist in making approved operational changes.
• Checks filters, pumps, chlorinators and chemical feed discharges.
• Collects, analyzes and relinquishes water and/or wastewater samples, as required.
• Maintains and submits logs and reports accurately, as assigned, and in the manner required by the Department of Environmental Protection.
• Performs preventive maintenance and minor repair of plant equipment, including the lubrication of motors and pumps.
• Maintains records of plant operation and prepares and submits related reports; monitors and participates in shutdowns and start-ups of equipment as directed.
• Advises supervisor of general plant operations and any non-compliance situations.
• Performs other related work as required.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience in water or wastewater treatment plant operation and mechanical repair work.
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Possess and maintain a Class “A” Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Out of State candidates applying for reciprocity of the required license may be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Physical Requirements

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including typewriters, pH meters, color meters, centrifuges, chlorine analyzers, turbidity meters, gas detectors, composite samplers, etc.
• Must be physically able to operate motor vehicles.
• Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Requires frequent reaching, kneeling, lifting and climbing. Physical demand requirements are for Heavy Work.

Data Conception

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication

Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.

Language Ability

• Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, manuals, blueprints, charts, graphs, etc.
• Requires the ability to prepare various reports, work sheets, work orders, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence

Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English.

Numerical Aptitude

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply theories of algebra, trigonometry and geometry.

Form/Spatial Aptitude

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination

Does not require the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as meters and general maintenance tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination

Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication

Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Performance Indicators

Knowledge Of Job

• Has general knowledge of the processes involved in water and/or wastewater treatment and maintaining related equipment.
• Has working knowledge of applicable state and local laws, ordinances and/or other regulations related to water and/or wastewater treatment.
• Ability to recognize breakdowns in treatment plant equipment and irregularities in meter/gauge readings and test results.
• Ability to maintain routine records.
• Ability to make proper judgment to control processes for optimum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to make decisions within departmental policies and occasionally in the absence of stated procedures.
• Ability to assist and advise operator trainees and other less experienced plant operators.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality Of Work

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department and division, and with co-workers and the general public.

Quantity Of Work

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Responsibilities."

Dependability

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, City policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas. Responds to weekend/holiday/after hour calls.

Attendance

Attends work regularly and adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time off requests.

Initiative And Enthusiasm

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with City policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships With Others

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the City. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.

Coordination Of Work

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety And Housekeeping

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the City and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.