Wastewater Collection System Operator I or II

Performs a variety of entry-level duties related to the construction and maintenance of the City's wastewater collection infrastructure, wastewater treatment facility, and equipment.

Supervision

Works under the broad policy guidance and direction of the Wastewater System Supervisor/Operator IV (Operator I) or Wastewater System Supervisor/Operator Lead (Operator II). Operator II may provide general guidance and direction to Wastewater Collections Operator I while in training or on a project-by-project basis.

Responsibilities

• Collection & Field Operations:
  • Performs daily operation and maintenance of the city wastewater collection system, including lift stations, manholes, yard, backup generators, and various pumps and motors.
  • Oversees and performs ongoing preventative maintenance, such as greasing, changing oil on pumps, adjusting belts and pulleys, changing out pumps and motors, and unclogging pumps.
  • Performs collection system inspections; corrects structural deficiencies, eliminates infiltration, and resolves stoppages of wastewater mains.
  • Performs daily maintenance and repair of equipment, including operating jet trucks, power rodders, root cutters, jackhammers, and other tools.
  • Repairs and rebuilds manholes, repairs wastewater mains, and replaces covers; operates metal detectors and/or SOND locators to locate concealed manholes and raise them to grade.
  • Documents and maps the collection system, records pipe size, direction of flow, and congestion status; prepares and files inspection and cleaning reports.
  • Performs confined space entry to access collection system lines; ensures proper setup and application of safety equipment, including davit arm hoist, tripod, and self-retracting lifeline (SRL).
  • Calibrates, sets up, and operates gas detectors for confined space entry; prepares confined space entry permits; assesses overhead, atmospheric, and tripping hazards.
  • Operates a high-velocity jet truck to clean and maintain wastewater lines; provides vac truck operation to resolve water leaks in the system.
  • Operates television inspection trucks to inspect main sewer lines and lift station pumping systems; detects leaks and obstructions using television viewing and inspection equipment.
  • Performs maintenance and repairs of specialty equipment; operates jet cleaning units to clean ditches and culverts; conducts dye testing to determine the origins of problems.
  • Responds to sewer emergencies; performs emergency repair services for breaks, backups, and other issues; organizes and utilizes necessary resources, including combo jet/vac trucks, CCTV inspection equipment, crane trucks, and trash pumps.
  • Coordinates with TSSD for additional resources and assistance as needed.
• Treatment Facility:
  • Performs daily operation and maintenance of the city wastewater treatment facility; maintains clarifiers, buildings, yard, backup generators, blowers, and chlorine disinfection equipment.
  • Ensures proper application of effluent water and operation of rapid infiltration basins; monitors and maintains various pumps and motors.
  • Performs ongoing preventative maintenance, including greasing, adjusting belts and pulleys, changing out pumps and motors, and unclogging pumps.
  • Operates machinery such as skid steers, backhoes, trackhoes, loaders, tractors, crane trucks, jet/vac trucks, forklifts, trash pumps, weed whips, and a variety of hand tools.
  • Collects daily and monthly lab samples from various phases of the treatment process as required by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and for process control.
  • Gathers "grab" samples and composite samples; creates "chain of custody" reports and delivers samples to analytical laboratories.
  • Assists in adjusting process rates for activated sludge (RAS) and waste activated sludge (WAS) based on lab results.
  • Performs daily and weekly tests to verify proper operation and control of wastewater treatment systems; evaluates concentrations of solids and bacteria for "flocking" and settling in the treatment process.
  • Adjusts rates for return activated sludge (RAS) and waste activated sludge (WAS) to prevent disruption of microbial colonies.
• Cross-trains with wastewater treatment facility personnel and assists with wastewater treatment plant operations as required.

Requirements

• Education and Experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • No experience necessary for Operator I; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Some knowledge of general trench work, pipefitting, and pumping systems.
  • Understanding of hazards and precautions associated with trench work, line construction, and wastewater collections.
  • Familiarity with basic hand and power tools required for pipeline installation and maintenance.
  • Knowledge of pipe classifications, occupational hazards, and safety precautions related to heavy equipment operation.
  • Awareness of construction requirements for wastewater collections and pumping stations.
  • Understanding of hazards associated with wastewater collections, treatment chemicals, and chemical cleaning procedures.
  • Knowledge of state or federal regulations governing wastewater systems and water quality laws.
  • Skill in operating heavy mechanized equipment, including computers, backhoes, skid steers, air compressors, saws, jackhammers, chipping hammers, paint sprayers, dump trucks, pumps, chain saws, and torches.
  • Ability to adapt to emergency or unusual situations and tolerate weather extremes.
  • Ability to analyze wastewater systems, identify problems, and determine optimal solutions.
  • Ability to make accurate decisions in emergency situations where errors could be costly.
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, elected officials, local agencies, and the public.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to perform strenuous manual labor and lift up to 100 lbs.
• Special Qualifications:
  • Must possess a Class "A" commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • Must work on a 24-hour stand-by or on-call basis.
  • Must become a certified Wastewater Collection Systems Operator I within 12 months of hire (Operator I).
  • Must become a certified flagger.
  • Must become confined space certified.
  • Must become forklift certified.

Work Environment

Employees in this position typically work outdoors, subject to changing and seasonal weather extremes. Tasks involve a variety of physical activities, including walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, and lifting. Daily potential for hazardous exposure includes:

• Electrical shock.
• Industrial wastes and raw sewage (containing pathogens such as typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, polio, tetanus, etc.).
• Moving parts and equipment, such as pumps, motors, and heavy machinery.
• Traffic hazards while working in public right-of-way.
• Hazards associated with confined space operations.

Essential functions require talking, hearing, and seeing. Common dexterity in eyes, hands, and fingers is necessary. Mental application involves memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking, and creative problem-solving.