Wastewater Treatment Operator I

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

Supervision

Works under the broad policy guidance and direction of the Wastewater System Supervisor/Operator Lead. No supervision exercised over other staff.

Responsibilities

• Treatment Facility Operations
  • Conduct daily operations and routine maintenance of the city's wastewater treatment facility.
  • Maintain and inspect clarifiers, buildings, yard areas, backup generators, blowers, and chlorine disinfection systems.
  • Ensure proper application of effluent water and effective operation of the rapid infiltration basin.
  • Monitor and maintain various pumps and motors to ensure optimal performance.
• Preventative Maintenance & Equipment Operation
  • Perform ongoing preventative maintenance tasks such as greasing, belt and pulley adjustments, pump and motor replacements, and unclogging systems.
  • Operate heavy machinery and equipment including skid steers, backhoes, trackhoes, loaders, tractors, crane trucks, jet/vac trucks, forklifts, trash pumps, weed whips, and hand tools to support facility operations.
• Sampling & Laboratory Analysis
  • Collect daily and monthly samples from various stages of the treatment process in compliance with Division of Water Quality (DWQ) standards.
  • Gather grab and composite samples, complete chain-of-custody documentation, and deliver samples to analytical labs.
  • Analyze lab results to assist in adjusting Return Activated Sludge (RAS) and Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) rates for process optimization.
• Process Monitoring & Adjustments
  • Conduct routine tests to monitor system performance and biological activity.
  • Evaluate solids and bacterial concentrations for proper flocking and settling.
  • Adjust RAS and WAS rates to maintain biological stability and prevent process disruptions.
• Confined Space Entry & Safety
  • Conduct confined space entries for system maintenance and cleaning, utilizing appropriate safety equipment such as davit arm hoists, tripods, SRLs, and gas detectors.
  • Prepare confined space entry permits and assess environmental hazards to ensure safe operations.
• Emergency Response
  • Respond to sewer emergencies including breaks, backups, and system/equipment failures.
  • Coordinate emergency repairs using appropriate equipment and personnel.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Perform related duties as assigned to support overall wastewater operations.
  • Cross-train with wastewater collection system personnel and assist with collection system operations as needed.
  • Perform inspections of the collection system to identify and correct structural deficiencies, infiltration issues, and blockages.
  • Operate specialized equipment including jet trucks, power rodders, root cutters, jackhammers, and metal detectors.
  • Repair and rebuild manholes, wastewater mains, and replace covers as needed.
  • Document and map the collection system, noting pipe sizes, flow directions, and maintenance needs; prepare inspection and cleaning reports.
  • Operate high-velocity jet trucks to clean wastewater lines and vac trucks to address system leaks.
  • Use CCTV inspection trucks to assess sewer lines and lift station performance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the division's goals, maintain permit compliance, and assist the growth of Eagle Mountain City or other departments as necessary.

Requirements

• Education and Experience
  • Graduation from high school or equivalent.
  • No experience necessary, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Some knowledge of general trench work and pipefitting; pumping systems; hazards and precautions associated with trench work and line construction.
  • Interpersonal communication skills; basic hand and power tools required to install and maintain pipeline.
  • Understanding of pipe classifications and types; occupational hazards and safety precautions of trench work, construction, and pipeline maintenance.
  • Awareness of hazards common to heavy equipment operation; drain system construction methods.
  • Knowledge of construction requirements for wastewater collections and pumping stations; hazards associated with wastewater collections and treatment chemicals.
  • Familiarity with wastewater line chemical cleaning procedures and associated hazards; state or federal regulations governing installation and maintenance of wastewater systems; water quality laws.
  • Skill in operating heavy mechanized equipment such as computers, backhoes, skid steers, air compressors, saws, jackhammers, chipping hammers, paint sprayers, dump trucks, pumps, chain saws, torches, etc.
  • Ability to adapt to emergency or unusual situations; tolerate weather extremes in the workplace.
  • Analyze wastewater systems, identify problems, and determine optimum solutions.
  • Make accurate decisions in emergency situations where consequences of error could be costly.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, elected officials, local agencies, and the general public.
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; perform strenuous manual labor.
  • Ability to lift 100 lbs.
• Special Qualifications
  • Must possess a class "A" commercial driver's license (CDL).
  • Must work on a twenty-four (24) hour stand-by or on-call basis (rotating with all other operators for seven days at a time).
  • Must work weekends and holidays, rotating with all wastewater treatment operators.
  • Must become a certified Wastewater Treatment Systems Operator I within 12 months of hire.
  • Must become a certified flagger.
  • Must become confined space certified.
  • Must become forklift certified.
  • Must know basic functions of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and other wastewater-specific software.

Work Environment

Employees in this position normally work in an outdoor environment, subject to changing and seasonal weather extremes. Tasks frequently require a variety of physical activities involving muscular strain related to 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 the public right-of-way.
• Hazards associated with confined space operations.

Essential job functions require talking, hearing, and seeing. Common eye, hand, and finger dexterity are necessary. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Pay

$22.00 - $23.60 per hour

Schedule

• On-call/stand-by rotation: 24-hour shifts, 7 days at a time.
• Weekend and holiday work required, rotating with other wastewater treatment operators.