Environmental Plant Operator - Water

Pay $26.66/Hour - $41.62/Hour

Nature of Work, Essential Functions & KSA's

**PLEASE NOTE, THE SCHEDULE OF THIS POSITION IS 7:00PM - 7:00AM, 1 WEEK ON AND 1 WEEK OFF**

NATURE OF WORK 

Operator I
Under the direct supervision of the Water Manager or Wastewater Manager, incumbents are responsible for learning all operations of the environmental treatment facility. This position is required to work varied shifts (including second and third shift) throughout the year work and must be able to work overtime as required. The incumbent in this position is in training to become competent in assuming the responsibilities of a plant operator as illustrated by the following essential functions and illustrative examples of work.

Operator II
Under the direct supervision of the Water Manager or Wastewater Manager, incumbents are responsible for all operations of the environmental treatment facility. This position is responsible for collecting data and reporting functions to ensure compliance with the City's water quality requirements.

Operator III
Under the direct supervision of the Water Manager or Wastewater Manager, incumbents are responsible for all operations of the environmental treatment facility.  This position is responsible for collecting data and reporting functions to ensure compliance with the City's water quality requirements. This position is also responsible for supervising lower level operator along with supervising procedures performed in the treatment plants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Operator I

1. Learning and understanding of a wide variety of chemical and mechanical processes and related equipment as well as being aware and alert to various stages of the treatment process.
2. Assuming responsibility for correct operation, monitoring and recording activities related to chemical feedings, pumping and general mechanical apparatus of water and/or wastewater treatment plant.
3. Knowledge (through training) and comprehension of the importance of feeding/application of expensive chemicals in the best interests of efficiency and economy.
4. Work is characterized by considerable hazards including, but not limited to: acid, gas, various chemicals and operation of mechanical equipment.

Operator II & III

1. Possess understanding of a wide variety of chemical and mechanical processes and related equipment as well as being aware and alert to various stages of the treatment process.
2. Responsible for correct operation, monitoring and recording activities related to chemical feedings, pumping and general mechanical apparatus of water and/or wastewater treatment plant.
3. Knowledge and comprehension of the importance of feeding/application of expensive chemicals in the best interests of efficiency and economy.
4. Work is characterized by considerable hazards including, but not limited to: acid, gas, various chemicals and operation of mechanical equipment.
5. Assists in training lower level operators.

SKILLS

• Skill in the use of hand and power tools for repairing machinery and equipment.
• Skill in working independently within established guidelines.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of best safety practices.
• Knowledge of chemistry and mathematics.
• Knowledge of methods, equipment, materials, tools, and standard practices for the operation of a water treatment facility.
• Knowledge of Federal OSHA and State and County regulation and City policies regarding safe work practice and handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of operational hazards and safety precautions involved in water treatment facility operations.
• Knowledge of physical and chemical treatment of portable water, including but not limited to, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.

ABILITIES

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions and diagrams.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written form.
• Ability to inspect machinery, equipment, and mechanical systems in operation to detect flaws and defects.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations, such as power outages, system alarms, and adverse water treatment conditions.

Operator II
In addition to the KSA's for the Operator I:

• Knowledge of safety practice in operation of electrical and mechanical equipment used in water and wastewater facilities.
• Knowledge of proper use and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with established guidelines.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions and diagrams.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
• Ability to operate sampling and testing equipment.

Operator III
In addition to the KSA's for the Operator I & II:

• Knowledge of on-site SCADA system monitoring sludge handling and sludge hauling if part of a public water system or treatment.
• Knowledge of on-site investigations/inspections or construction design that require coordination of work with the active treatment processes, sewerage or distribution systems.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK
Operator I

• Reads daily log of previous shift operations to determine the occurrence of conditions requiring immediate attention during his/her shift.
• Inspects entire plant on assigned shift; records required readings; checks motors, pumps, air compressors, sludge scrapers, electrical panels, chemical feed equipment and storage and a variety of other gages, charts and equipment.
• Runs a variety of tests in plant laboratory such as alkalinity, hardness, pH, residual chlorine, dissolved oxygen, BOD, suspended solids and others.
• Makes a variety of adjustments and running repairs to machinery and equipment, refers major repair and malfunctions to the Water Manager or Wastewater Manager, as appropriate.
• Proportions proper amounts of chemicals, such as liquid alum, polymers, caustic soda and chlorine to be mixed with raw water/wastewater influent according to prescribed formula and water and/or wastewater quality standards.
• Operates pumps, electric motors, metering equipment, chlorinating equipment, aeration tank equipment, and related water and/or wastewater treatment plant machinery and equipment.
• Maintains a variety of records and logs pertinent to water and/or wastewater quality standards, health regulations and economic control of the plant operations and submits reports when requested.
• Backwashes filters and operates basin sludge scrapers as required to maintain good operation.
• Assists in the skilled mechanical and electrical work in the maintenance, installation, and repair of pumps, electrical motors, chemical feeders, valves, sluice gates and allied equipment, when necessary.
• Assists in regularly scheduled maintenance programs of various plant structures; such as cleaning settling basins and clear wells and maintaining of sludge lagoons, digesters, aeration tanks and clarifiers, etc.
• Performs general custodial work as necessary; including but not limited to: painting equipment, washing windows, cleaning, waxing floors, keeping machinery free of dust and oil, mowing grass, trimming trees, shoveling snow, etc.

Operator II & III

• Reads daily log of previous shift operations to determine the occurrence of conditions requiring immediate attention during his/her shift.
• Inspects entire plant on assigned shift; records required readings; checks motors, pumps, air compressors, sludge scrapers, electrical panels, chemical feed equipment and storage and a variety of other gauges, charts and equipment.
• Runs a variety of tests in plant laboratory such as alkalinity, hardness, pH, residual chlorine, dissolved oxygen, BOD, suspended solids and others.
• Unloads and stores hazardous chemicals, batches and mixes hazardous chemical solutions, and transfers bulk storage to day tanks for chemical feed operations.
• Monitor the disinfection process.
• Makes a variety of adjustments and running repairs to machinery and equipment, refers major repair and malfunctions to the Water Manager or Wastewater Manager, as appropriate.
• Proportions proper amounts of chemicals, such as liquid alum, polymers, caustic soda and chlorine to be mixed with raw water/wastewater influent according to prescribed formula and water and/or wastewater quality standards.
• Operates pumps, electric motors, metering equipment, chlorinating equipment, aeration tank equipment, and related water and/or wastewater treatment plant machinery and equipment.
• Maintains a variety of records and logs pertinent to water and/or wastewater quality standards, health regulations and economic control of the plant operations and submits reports when requested.
• Backwashes filters and operates basin sludge scrapers as required to maintain good operation.
• Assists in the skilled mechanical and electrical work in the maintenance, installation, and repair of pumps, electrical motors, chemical feeders, valves, sluice gates and allied equipment, when necessary.
• Assists in regularly scheduled maintenance programs of various plant structures; such as cleaning settling basins and clear wells and maintaining of sludge lagoons, digesters, aeration tanks and clarifiers, etc.
• Performs general custodial work as necessary; including but not limited to: painting equipment, washing windows, cleaning, waxing floors, keeping machinery free of dust and oil, mowing grass, trimming trees, shoveling snow, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communicate with other employees and the public, and discern warning or emergency alarms, including vehicle backup warnings;
2. Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and work orders, technical and operational documents, discern color-coded equipment indicators, and move over rough or unfamiliar terrain;
3. Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a motor vehicle, operate a variety of power and hand tools, operate a personal computer, and to make adjustments to equipment;
4. Sufficient strength to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds for varying distances;
5. Sufficient body flexibility, mobility, stamina, and balance to perform operation and maintenance tasks which require bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, climbing and working on ladders, working in confined spaces, and moving over rough or unfamiliar terrain;
6. Sufficient ability to endure prolonged exposure to arid desert conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, and prolonged sun and heat exposure during summer months.

Training, Experience, and Qualifications

Operator I

1. Any combination of training and experience which will indicate the possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed above.
2. Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent; supplemented by courses in chemistry and mathematics.
3. Requirement of twelve months of operating experience.
4. Must possess certification in water and/or wastewater supply works operations as issued by the State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Classification I.
5. Must be honest, dependable and trustworthy.
6. Must be in good physical condition, possess good eyesight and hearing (corrective acceptable) and not be color blind. Also must not be allergic to any of the chemicals used in the water/wastewater treatment process.
7. Must be able to lift 50 pounds, climb 200 feet into elevated tanks, treatment process tanks, manholes etc. in order to inspect these items when necessary.
8. Must possess confined space entry training knowledge (after training).
9. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Operator II
In addition to the requirements for the Operator I:

1. Requirement of thirty-six (36) months of operating experience.
2. Must possess certification in water and/or wastewater supply works operations as issued by the State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Classification II.
3. Desired but not required college level coursework.

Operator III
In addition to the requirements for the Operator I & II:

1. Requirement of sixty (60) months of operating experience.
2. Must possess certification in water and/or wastewater supply works operations as issued by the State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Classification III.

Supplemental Information / Special Requirements

**PLEASE NOTE, THE SCHEDULE OF THIS POSITION IS 7:00PM - 7:00AM, 1 WEEK ON AND 1 WEEK OFF**

This position is part of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Facility Employees Association.  Details about the compensation and benefits for this position can be found in the agreement by clicking here.

The class specification which appears above is intended to be sufficient merely to identify the class and be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position allocated to the class and should not be interpreted to describe all of the duties which may be required of employees holding a position assigned to this class.

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.