Wastewater Treatment Operator I-IV

About the role

This skilled, technical position is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant facility with the primary responsibility being maintaining compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit. The Wastewater Treatment Plant operates 24-hours a day, 365-days a year with eight-hour shifts that may vary. Shifts include night, weekend and holiday work schedules. The person in these positions must be able to regularly work beyond the scheduled work shift, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and to travel to various seminars or training classes as required; staying current in the wastewater profession. The person in these positions are considered essential personnel and will be required to respond to emergencies as directed by the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent.

Responsibilities

• Performs regular walking inspections of the facility and observes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), monitors control panels and adjust valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate the flows and treatment processes under direct supervision.
• Maintains log of operations and records meter and gauge readings in written form or via computer: handwriting must be legible.
• Collections wastewater samples and conducts and interprets routine laboratory tests, which include, but are not limited to: pH and Dissolved Oxygen, Solids Testing, and Nutrient Testing with direct supervision.
• Performs plant standard operating procedures with direct supervision.
• Ensures plant equipment and facilities are well maintained, reliable, and clean.
• Performs preventative maintenance on equipment with direct supervision.
• Adjusts chemical dosing rates with direct supervision.
• Receives and unloads chemicals with direct supervision.
• Attends classes and completes courses to maintain wastewater license.
• Operates pump, blowers, engines and sludge processing equipment with direct supervision.
• Answers the telephone and communicates information professionally to vendors, other departments, and the general public.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City officials, co-workers, vendors, and the general public.
• Operates a vehicle on a regular basis observing legal and defensive driving techniques.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or a General Education Degree (GED).
• REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: Temporary Wastewater Class 5A Certificate or ability to obtain within 45 days of hire. The employee must maintain the certificate for the duration of their employment. Vehicle Operator’s license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City’s insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment. DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. The employee must maintain the certificate for the duration of their employment.
• REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): Basic knowledge of computers and their applications, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point) and SCADA applications such as Citect and PLC’s. Possess knowledge and understanding of safe operating limits of equipment used in the operation of Wastewater Treatment. General knowledge of mathematics. Self-motivated, capable of taking initiative. Ability to successfully complete training that will include but not be limited to confined space training, CPR & First Aid, electrical safety, etc. Ability to communicate effectively in English and to carry out instruction furnished in oral, written or diagram form; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to groups and to individuals. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in oral, written or diagram form.

Wastewater Treatment Operator I

• $24.11 - $26.52/hr, depending on qualifications
• Performs all duties of a Wastewater Treatment Operator I with less constant supervision.
• Determines the cause and course of action to properly respond to alarms occurring at the facility.
• Adjusts gates and valves as instructed.
• Operates pump, blowers, engines and sludge processing equipment.
• Performs basic adjustments to biological and chemical processes with supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or a General Education Degree (GED).
• Six (6) months of experience at a Class 5A facility, or related class of plant or wastewater experience. A combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training may be substituted to meet this requirement.
• REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: Temporary Wastewater Class 5A Certificate or ability to obtain within 45 days of hire. The employee must maintain the certification for the duration of their employment. Vehicle Operator’s license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City’s insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment. DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. The employee must maintain the certificate for the duration of their employment.
• REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): Demonstrated proficiency in all job duties of a Wastewater Treatment Operator I. Self-motivated, capable of taking initiative. Intermediate knowledge of computers and their applications, especially Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point) and SCADA applications such as Citect and PLC’s. Possess knowledge and understanding of safe operating limits of equipment used in the operation of Wastewater Treatment. General knowledge of mathematics. Ability to communicate effectively in English and to carry out instruction furnished in oral, written or diagram form; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to groups and to individuals. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in oral, written or diagram form.

Wastewater Treatment Operator II

• $25.91 - $28.51/hr, depending on qualifications
• Performs all duties of a Wastewater Treatment Operator I with less constant supervision.
• Determines the cause and course of action to properly respond to alarms occurring at the facility.
• Adjusts gates and valves as instructed.
• Operates pump, blowers, engines and sludge processing equipment.
• Performs basic adjustments to biological and chemical processes with supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or a General Education Degree (GED).
• Six (6) months of experience at a Class 5A facility, or related class of plant or wastewater experience. A combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training may be substituted to meet this requirement.
• REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: Temporary Wastewater Class 5A Certificate or ability to obtain within 45 days of hire. The employee must maintain the certification for the duration of their employment. Vehicle Operator’s license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City’s insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment. DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. The employee must maintain the certificate for the duration of their employment.
• REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): Demonstrated proficiency in all job duties of a Wastewater Treatment Operator I. Self-motivated, capable of taking initiative. Intermediate knowledge of computers and their applications, especially Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point) and SCADA applications such as Citect and PLC’s. Possess knowledge and understanding of safe operating limits of equipment used in the operation of Wastewater Treatment. General knowledge of mathematics. Ability to communicate effectively in English and to carry out instruction furnished in oral, written or diagram form; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to groups and to individuals. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in oral, written or diagram form.

Wastewater Treatment Operator III

• $27.86 - $30.64/hr, depending on qualifications
• Performs all duties of a Wastewater Treatment Operator I and II with limited supervision.
• Reviews and evaluates wastewater reports, logs and graphs to adjust processes for permit compliance based off of that data.
• Affords assistance in the review of standard operating procedures, process overviews and building overviews.
• Performs basic adjustments to biological and chemical processes with supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or a General Education Degree (GED).
• Two (2) years of experience at a Class 5A facility, or related class of plant or wastewater experience. A combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training may be substituted to meet this requirement.
• REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: Temporary Wastewater Class 5A Certificate or ability to obtain within 45 days of hire. The employee must maintain the certificate for the duration of their employment. Vehicle Operator’s license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City’s insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment. DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. The employee must maintain the certificate for the duration of their employment.
• REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.): Demonstrated proficiency in all job duties of an Operator I and II. Understanding of DMR/MOR. Knowledge of Federal and State regulations and materials, methods, processes and techniques commonly used in Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Wastewater Treatment. Knowledge of safety standards and practices for hazardous environments, including OSHA safety rules, standards and regulations. Ability to communicate effectively in English and to carry out instruction furnished in oral, written or diagram form; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to groups and to individuals. Intermediate knowledge of computers and their applications, especially Microsoft Office Suite at an intermediate level and SCADA applications such as Citect and PLC’s. Ability to define problems, collect data, interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables, calculate figures, decimals, fractions, percentages, averages, conversions and solve for unknown values; must possess the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry such as linear, area and volume measurements; must be able to solve mathematical word problems and set up and solve difficult wastewater formulas. Possess knowledge and understanding of MDE and OSHA Regulations, requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, as well as the safe operating limits of equipment used in the operation of Wastewater Treatment. Possess knowledge and understanding of the Biological Nutrient Removal and Enhanced Nutrient Removal Processes and Anaerobic Digestion process to stabilize Bio-solids and comply with the EPA’s 503 regulations.

Wastewater Treatment Operator IV

• $29.95 - $32.94/hr, depending on qualifications
• Performs all