Water Station Operator

Water Station Operator Facilities & Services Job Summary

To operate and maintain the water distribution systems under a Certified Water Operator. To operate and maintain pools, softeners, cooling towers, water treatment for chilled water and boilers and complete pest control inspections and treatment.

• Water Distribution System:
  • Assist with operating and maintaining valves and flushing water lines under direction of Certified Operator.
  • Assist with periodic organic, inorganic and bacteriological testing for Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Public Health.
  • Assist with reading water meters, recording readings, maintain utility grid maps, and calculation of water consumption.
  • Assist with locating service for the underground piping in the water distribution system.
  • Assist with emergency call backs on water distribution systems for leaks, repairs, tie‑ins, and water quality issues per EPA requirements under direction of a Certified Water Operator.
• Water Softeners, demineralizers, dealkalizers and Carbon Filters:
  • Responsible for inspection, testing and chemical treatment of water softeners, demineralizers, dealkalizers and carbon filters.
  • Tests for water softness, specific gravity, purity, conductivity and/or alkalinity and adds appropriate chemicals as necessary.
  • Makes minor equipment repairs and adjustments and assists other crafts in major repairs or overhauls.
• Pest Control:
  • Inspects infested areas, determines specific types of insect or rodent and applies appropriate control measures.
  • Schedules pest control activities. Inform occupants about the pest control methods being employed.
  • Mixes insecticides with solvents, emulsifiers and diluents as necessary for proper application.
  • Apply control measures, which may include chemical powders, solids, liquids, traps, poisons or fumigation.
• Swimming Pools:
  • Conducts the following tests on a daily basis at each of two heated indoor pools in continuous operation and one outdoor heated pool operated during spring and summer months: chlorine (free and total chlorine), pH, alkalinity, hardness, phenolphthalein alkalinity and chloride, records results and makes necessary adjustments to correct any deficiencies noted by the above tests.
  • Operates and maintains electronic programming for automatic feed of chlorine liquid to the pools.
  • Adjusts heat valves and heat controls to maintain constant water temperature.
  • Vacuums pools, switches re‑circulating pumps, cleans strainers/filters, collects samples, and cleans electrodes.
  • Maintains daily record of number of swimmers, liquid chlorine consumption and chemicals used.
  • Prepares pool‑operating reports to be forwarded to State of Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Cooling Towers:
  • Responsible for inspection, testing and chemical treatment of water in the campus' cooling towers during summer and winter months.
  • Conducts lab analysis for mass‑balancing by testing for TDS, alkalinity, pH, TSC, calcium carbonates, magnesium and molybdenum according to approved laboratory standards; performs biological inoculants and plate counts.
  • Controls algae growth through the use of chemicals and re‑circulates water in towers (blow down) as needed.
• Chiller Water, Boiler Systems and Building Heating Systems:
  • Analysis and corrective measures for appropriate inhibitor concentrations and biological activity in Chilled Water systems.
  • Analysis building Heating and Radiation systems and provides needed corrections.
  • Analysis Abbott Boiler systems for chemical levels and provide needed correction recommendations.
• Employee to be available through callback assignment to respond to emergency work during off normal working hours to handle problems relating to the building issues and water distribution needs.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

• Lifting/Carrying :
  Occasionally
• Visual Acuity :
  Constantly
• Standing :
  Constantly
• Walking :
  Frequently
• Kneeling/Crawling :
  Frequently
• Sitting :
  Occasionally
• Bending/Stooping/Crouching :
  Frequently
• Above Shoulder Reaching/Forward Reaching :
  Frequently
• Climbing :
  Occasionally
• Bilateral grip and grasp :
  Frequently