Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee

Salary $24.67 - $35.00/hour; $4,276.13 - $6,066.67/month; $51,313.60 - $72,800.00/year

An employee in this class performs entry level work of average difficulty in areas of operations and facilities maintenance. Individuals in this position should expect to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends. The position is intended to receive training to become a skilled worker to operate and maintain the plant and remote pumping stations. Under immediate supervision and guidance, the employee performs duties and assigned tasks in conformance with established procedures.

Many work activities involve hazardous materials and/or equipment, and employees must comply with appropriate safety precautions when dealing with gas, mechanical and electrical system, and other similar components and processes within the plant environment. Shift work will be required including nights, weekends, and holidays. Tasks require the ability to work in a team environment. Work is reviewed by observation and results attained.

Employees may only remain in this class for up to 18 months with a focus on utility and solids processing work while progressing towards the requirements to become a Water Treatment Plant Operator I.

Availability for shift work, weekends, holidays, and on-call emergencies is required.

Collects and analyzes samples throughout the facility for process control and regulatory reporting. Must utilize SCADA alongside the grab sample analyses to make the necessary chemical adjustments for maintaining treatment goals. This requires an understanding of the process flow, chemical injection sites, and SCADA operation. This position will routinely calibrate testing equipment and process analyzers for quality control, and will be familiar of chemical stations, delivery procedures, and spill response.

Evaluates and monitors the SCADA HMI for facility and distribution management. This includes responding to all alarms, monitoring all process equipment, accepting chemical deliveries, maintaining distribution pressure, remote storage management, ASR operations, MFL compliance, electrical load balance, and filter quality control. This is a highly technical position requiring critical thinking skills and consistent process engagement. Must possess a great deal of facility and process knowledge, ultimately operating the facility under a variety of dynamic conditions.

Uses belt filter presses to dewater the sludge created during the chemical treatment of drinking water to produce a ferric humate cake that is land-applied as a fertilizer. Responsible for operating the belt press for daily startup, operation, and shut down of the solids processing facility. This requires a technical understanding of the belt press equipment for proper adjustment of chemical dose, process flow, and belt speed for maximum dryness of ferric humate cake.

Dewatering also includes the operation of forklifts for dry chemical inventory and dump trucks to apply ferric humate to the designated location.

Supports the operations team by performing routine maintenance of the treatment processes. This includes swapping chemical feed systems for scheduled or emergency cleaning, inspection of facilities on-site and at remote locations throughout the City, driving a forklift for transporting chemicals or equipment, and driving a boat for source water management.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of : water chemistry; preventative maintenance and repair work; sludge removal activities; work related safety standards and precautions; a solid foundation of math, science, utilizing industrial equipment.

Ability to : perform basic math, science, and familiarity with industrial equipment with the ability to recognize and report unusual conditions; provide a high level of verbal and written communication; understand and follow oral and written instruction; utilize basic safety practices.

Skills in : technical skills, basic computer skills and software.

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., mostly standing and a combination of working indoors and outdoors. Requires some use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Graduation from an accredited high school or vocational school and one (1) year of work experience in mechanical, pumping, pool chemistry, chemicals, or hydraulics maintenance and/or repair; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. [two (2) years of experience is preferred.]

Availability for shift work, weekends, holidays, and on-call emergencies.

The ideal candidates will have a solid foundation in math and science, water chemistry and hydraulics maintenance.

Must possess
:

• Ability to obtain a valid Florida Class “C” Drinking Water Treatment Operator’s License within 18 months of employment and certification for Operator Level One on job training (OJT).

* Assistance is provided towards the license process.

* Candidates who hold a…