Water Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Water Plant Operator III performs, plans, and organizes the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of water facilities and associated systems including, but not limited to, raw water intakes, , flocculation/sedimentation basins, solids handling, filtration, related facility structures, SCADA, Transmission system and pump stations; performs a variety of work assignments to ensure acceptable asset condition, water quality, and health and safety standards are met or exceeded; and performs and/or supervises related work as required to ensure efficient and effective facility operations. The Water Plant Operator III may also be assigned special duty oversight of operational programs to support optimization and maintenance programs. 

Job Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with the supervisory personnel and other operators to assure optimal process efficiency, proper monitoring, and regulatory compliance. 
• Monitors the treatment process from the control board/computer screen; monitors various treatment processes including coagulant feed, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection; monitors the addition of chemicals added for corrosion control and dental caries prevention. 
• Monitors water quality, ensuring parameters are within compliance, by performing laboratory tests at various stages in the treatment process including tests for chlorine residual, fluoride residual, chlorite residual, pH, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, odors, and other tests as necessary to maintain water quality; calibrates process and compliance analysis equipment; maintains laboratory records. 
• Monitors chemical dosage and makes adjustments to plant processes as necessary including for ferric sulfate, chlorine, ammonia, sodium chlorite, ozone, caustic soda, and other chemicals. 
• Reads gauges and meters; interprets data to maintain the proper treatment process, proper transmission operation, security, and alarm status; makes flow adjustments. 
• Operates pumps and valves utilizing a SCADA system; operates plant utilizing computer interface; backwashes filters using SCADA or manual control, monitors systems for alarms, make adjustments, and provides appropriate response; notifies water stand-by or other personnel as necessary to respond to problems. 
• Operates mechanical equipment including pumps and motors, chemical feed pumps and systems, air compressors, and manual, electrical, and pneumatically operated valves; operates hand and power tools; operates a light truck. 
• Operates chlorination equipment related to the chlorine and chlorine dioxide feed system; assist in performing maintenance on chemical feed systems including chemical piping system; participates in calibration of chemical feed equipment. 
• Assist in orders chemicals; takes delivery of bulk chlorine and maintains chemical receiving logs. 
• Creates service request related to plant operations and maintenance activities utilizing the CMMS to coordinate with personnel and support personnel. 
• Maintains thorough operational logs and records. 
• Makes visual inspections; monitors facilities and roads to ensure adequate security. 
• Performs preventative and predictive maintenance on treatment plant equipment; assists specialized trades personnel in making major and/or specialized repairs to equipment; coordinates work of contractors and of other departments. 
• Operates the District's water transmission system including reservoirs and pump stations; ensures adequate availability and pressure to all service connections; delivers required flow rates to customers. 
• Leads operational programs related to treatment optimization and maintenance related activities as directed by plant operations management. 
• May be required to fill in for on-call situations, in place of a supervisor, as necessary.  
• Provides appropriate response to emergencies and spills including those involving hazardous materials; wears respirators including self-contained breathing apparatus as required. 
• Responds to inquiries from the vendors, suppliers, and public; answers questions from customers pertaining to water quality, low pressure, and leak reports. 
• May assist in training new operators. 
• Performs related duties as required. 

Job Requirements

Education & Experience: 

• Possess a high school diploma or GED (an associate degree or trade certification is preferred). 
• Maintain a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (or predecessor agency) Class B Water Treatment Operator's License. 
• Possess five (5) years of experience in water treatment or a suitable combination of directly relevant education and experience, as determined by NTMWD. 
• Requires a valid Texas Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Must possess the ability to communicate and document daily activities to ensure proper plant operation. 
• Must be able to run lab tests and interpret results and equipment malfunction. 

Environmental and Physical Working Conditions

Driving a District vehicle for business will be required.  Employees required to drive as part of their job duties are responsible for maintaining a current, valid, and vehicle - appropriate driver' s license of their resident state.

The duties and responsibilities are generally performed in a water treatment environment. The position involves sitting (up to 6 hours per day), frequent standing, frequent walking, light to heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.), light carrying, frequent bending and reaching, keyboarding, and telephone operation. It often requires an irregular work schedule and overtime hours. Specific physical conditions require frequent work with chemicals, tools, machinery, moving mechanical parts, etc. 

The duties and responsibilities are performed both indoors and outdoors. Moderate to heavy exposure to sun, dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, biological hazards, rain, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials and chemicals, machinery, moving mechanical parts, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, and water hazards are common. Performs and reviews work at locations that involve hazardous environments requiring the physical ability to wear and work using personal protective equipment (PPE) that meet or exceed guidelines such as established by OSHA which may result in some physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, odors, chemicals and noise. The position may require work in confined spaces, on ladders and rooftops, and in adverse weather conditions with appropriate training. 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Ability to pass annual medical evaluation and receive certification to utilize respiratory protection equipment, where required by work assignment post-employment offer. Must meet shaving requirements for respiratory fit test at all times. 

• Must be able to pass hazardous materials medical examination and test for post-employment offer (applicable only to those on Hazardous Response Team). 

• Perform functions requiring manual dexterity and precision movements, continuous or repetitive arm and hand movements, grasping movements, and occasional forceful exertion. 

• Perceive/discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth and visual cues or signals. 

• Possess visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle (including while towing portable equipment), equipment, hand tools, and a computer.