Treatment​/Collections System Operator

DISCLAIMER:
The City reserves the right to accelerate or extend the “Closing Date” of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

Under direct or general supervision, installs, maintains, repairs, and operates equipment, facilities, pump stations, and related appurtenances as found in a wastewater treatment plant and collection system; performs laboratory analysis and adjusts chemicals to comply with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; operates and maintains plant and collections systems equipment including pumps, motors, valves, chemical feed systems, and filters to maintain adequate flow and efficient processing;

performs preventive maintenance and makes repairs to plant and collections systems facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct or general supervision from the Wastewater Superintendent. Exercises no supervision of staff. May provide technical and functional direction to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Treatment/Collection System Operator I:
This is the first working-level class in the wastewater treatment plant and collection system operator series. Under general supervision, incumbents operate and maintain wastewater treatment and collections system equipment and appurtenances according to City practices and procedures, as well as State and Federal regulations. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.

Positions in the Treatment/Collection System Operator class series are flexibly staffed, and positions at the I and II level are normally filled by advancement from the Trainee and I level, respectively, requiring additional years of experience and after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for, and after demonstrating the ability to, perform the work of the higher-level class.

When filled from the outside, the employee is required to have prior related experience that allows the employee to meet the qualification standards for the I, II, or III level.

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

When Assigned To The Treatment Plant Operations Function

• Monitors plant operations equipment and processes to ensure compliance with environmental and public health standards, including monitoring and making adjustments to optimize efficiency, making chemical dosage changes, changing pumping rates, and monitoring all equipment daily.
• Reviews and analyzes automated information and control system data and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as necessary.
• Reads, records, and calculates readings of meters and gauges; interprets information into operational characteristics; changes flow meter charts; makes process adjustments according to information gathered, samples collected, readings, and records.
• Collects wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs standard chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that plants are operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• Interprets and performs routine laboratory and process tests to optimize plant performance, checks the results, and recommends changes to supervisor.
• Performs proper usage and handling of chemicals according to industry standards.
• Operates and assists in preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as electric motors, engines, gas and electric powered pumps, drive units, emergency systems, power generation systems, pressure and flow regulators, and other treatment plant fixtures and appliances.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater through the system; operates valves to dispose of wastewater effluent.
• Removes blockages; replaces worn parts; assists maintenance as required.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, and other machinery and equipment.
• Performs preventative maintenance and services equipment according to an established schedule and inspects facilities and equipment to determine the need for maintenance or repair.

When assigned to the collections system maintenance function:

• Performs construction, maintenance, and repair activities of City wastewater utilities systems and facilities, including removing blockages through hydro-cleaning and rodding, vacuuming debris, root-cutting and extinction,…