WWTP Treatment Plant Operator

The City of Roxboro (8,200) currently has openings for Treatment Plant Operators at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
. Roxboro is situated in Person County, which is located near the Virginia border and just a short drive from Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro.

An employee in this class performs a variety of operational, laboratory, and maintenance duties designed to dispose of domestic and commercial waste materials. Work is performed on an assigned shift often as the sole operator on site. Work includes monitoring the plant's operation through observation, mechanical readings and the results of standard chemical and biological tests and making necessary adjustments in the process as conditions or test results dictate.

Other duties include performing standard laboratory duties and tests and assisting with plant and facilities maintenance. Work also includes substantial record keeping of work activities. Employees are subject to hazards associated with wastewater plant operations including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as loud noises, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, working in small spaces such as sewer pipes, and oils.

Workers may be required to wear respirators when working around chlorine tanks. Work around wastewater is also subject to OSHA blood borne pathogen rules and regulations. This position is considered a safety sensitive role. Work is performed under supervision of the Chief Treatment Plant Operator and reviewed by observation, conference, and reviewing records for adherence to operations standards, instructions, and safety practices.

$44,455

• Makes regular tours of plant and checks engines, generators, pumps, settling tanks, filters, clarifiers, chlorinators, and other equipment for proper functioning; checks influent and effluent points for visual detection of any irregularities as well as proper functioning; starts and stops pumps and motors and adjusts chemical feed to control treatment process.
• Takes and records data from various meters, gauges and dials; logs hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly activities; may enter various data into computer; reviews information for trends and problems or anomalies.
• Performs standard laboratory chemical and biological tests.
• Performs general preventive and scheduled maintenance; assists maintenance staff on major maintenance and repairs.
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
• Performs routine building and equipment maintenance including cleaning and painting; performs grounds maintenance activities such as mowing.
• Observes and reports any unusual or suspicious activity around the plant.
• May assist with training new Operators on the job.
• Collects wastewater samples.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Working knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirement of wastewater treatment plants.
• Working knowledge of standard laboratory test and procedures used in a wastewater treatment plant.
• Working knowledge of chemical, and biological, principles pertinent to wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and permitting requirements.
• Working knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions.
• Some knowledge of the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles applied at a wastewater treatment plant.
• Some knowledge of computers and their use in wastewater treatment.
• Ability to detect flaws in the operation of mechanical equipment and to determine proper remedial measures.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to conduct routine laboratory tests.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read meters, charts, and technical manuals and drawings accurately and to maintain records of shift operations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and supervisors.

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, hearing, talking, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to read gauges, dials, and observe moving parts of machines, to record and review written records, to perform mechanical trade tasks, and to observe work for thoroughness and accuracy.

• Graduation from high school supplemented by course work in chemistry or biology
• Some experience in the operation of a water or wastewater treatment plant; or an…