Water Treatment Plant Operator

About the role

Tacoma Water is recruiting to establish an eligible list for the Water Treatment Plant Operator classification, which will be used to fill vacancies as they occur for one year unless the eligible list is extended or abolished. Operators are responsible for monitoring and controlling treatment processes, maintaining regulatory compliance, responding to changing source water conditions, and ensuring the continuous delivery of safe, reliable drinking water.

Responsibilities

• Cook up, shut down, make periodic checks of plant equipment and make required adjustments.
• Collect water samples and perform water quality tests for regulatory compliance and system operation.
• Inspect various water facilities, stations, and systems to monitor status and assure proper operation.
• Follow safety rules for plant operations; log and monitor confined space entries, lockout / tag-out and unsafe site conditions.
• Follow established guidelines and regulatory requirements to perform independent system changes to assure proper water treatment, quality and supply.
• Maintain plant records, logs, diaries and inventories for regulatory compliance and operational needs.
• Prepare and maintain required reports and records in a clear, concise, complete, and accurate manner.
• Monitor and control access to water division facilities and watershed.
• Operate a wide variety of powered and non-powered equipment.
• Perform routine and corrective maintenance on plant equipment, grounds and buildings.
• Communicate and work cooperatively and effectively with others to ensure safe and uninterrupted treatment plant operation.
• Safely load and unload potentially hazardous chemicals by hand or using chemical–handling equipment.
• Maintain plant records, logs, diaries and inventories for regulatory compliance and operational needs.
• Monitor and operate water SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience working in the field of water treatment or water quality with a private or public water utility.
• Possession of a valid Water Treatment Plant Operator Level III certificate (or higher) with the Washington State Department of Health or other state agencies granted reciprocity by WADOH.
• Possession of a valid Washington State driver's license with maintenance thereafter.
• Completion of Tacoma Water's Hazardous Chemical Training Class within six months of appointment.

Benefits

The hourly wage depends on Water Treatment Plant Operator certification level: Level 3 certification: $59.38 hourlyLevel 4 certification: $62.35 hourly An additional 5% nightshift premium when applicable.