Treatment Plant Operator - Wastewater

This announcement will remain open until a sufficient number of applications are received and may close at any time.

About the role

Performs skilled operational and regulatory work in the testing and treatment of City water in compliance with all applicable regulations and guidelines. Works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Responsibilities

• Operates equipment related to wastewater treatment plant processes, including aeration tanks, clarifiers, belt filter press, sludge flotation units, and digesters under close supervision; checks equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Performs minor repairs and adjustments to equipment as needed; assists Plant Maintenance Crew on maintenance projects.
• Performs a variety of cleaning tasks in areas or structures such as chemical rooms, chemical feed equipment, wastewater treatment units, pumping stations, electrical rooms, secondary containment areas, head house bar screens, and general grounds keeping.
• Understands, implements, maintains, and assists in processing millions of gallons of wastewater through biological, mechanical, and chemical processes to return treated waters meeting state and federal safety standards.
• Performs routine to complex maintenance and repair duties of water equipment and facilities; collects water samples for testing; performs and records chemical adjustments and laboratory sampling and testing.
• Monitors and sets chlorine machinery to obtain proper chemical usage readings; operates and maintains pump stations; records daily pump readings, flows, time of flows, pressures, and chemical usage.
• Performs clerical duties, data entry, process control, calculations, and runs quantitative and qualitative analysis; interprets data for performance evaluation.
• Runs vacuum building system; collects samples from off-site stations; receives chemical deliveries on and off-site; maintains and monitors backwash filters.
• Checks plant equipment and troubleshoots plant problems; diagnoses, troubleshoots, and writes work orders when malfunctions are discovered.
• Performs frequent rounds checking the status of water and wastewater treatment units, tanks, and machines; performs routine cleaning activities to ensure safety and cleanliness of the facility.
• Properly starts up and shuts down different tanks and pumps according to conditions and supervisor directives; resets plant to proper operating conditions caused by storms and power outages.
• Computes work orders to document treatment plant activity, request maintenance, repairs, and compile statistics for periodic reports.
• Monitors treatment plant operations to ensure compliance with State and County regulations; verifies process is operating efficiently and effectively; checks storage and inventory of chemicals.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Requirements

• Six months of experience in operation or maintenance of mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical equipment similar to that utilized in treatment plant operations OR completion of the Pre-Apprenticeship program in either Water Operations or Wastewater Operations through Junior Achievement of South Florida.
• Must obtain the Class C Water or Wastewater Plant Operator License within two years of hire.
• Vocational/Technical School Certification or Associate Degree (or higher) in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Water or Wastewater Treatment, or a closely related field.
• Possession of a "C" Florida State Operator license in Wastewater, or a "C", "B", or "A" Florida State Operator license in Water.
• Possession of "C", "B", or "A" Collection certification in Wastewater.

Skills

• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high-quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems; probes deeply for root causes; uses systematic problem-solving methods.
• Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward; leverages rules, procedures, and others' expertise to speed up decision-making.
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals; outlines clear plans and aligns work with relevant workgroups.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knows effective and efficient processes to get things done; pursues ways to ensure work is as effective as possible; shares analysis of process problems with stakeholders.
• Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments; accepts responsibility for successes and failures; meets commitments to others.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of different audiences; listens attentively; keeps others informed.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match shifting demands; seeks and listens to input on how to adapt to changing situations.

Work Environment

• Physical Demands: Performs light work involving walking or standing most of the time; involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force regularly; requires skill and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic equipment.
• Unavoidable Hazards: Routine and frequent exposure to toxic/caustic chemicals.