Wastewater Treatment Operator III

Operational Technical Services (OTS) is one of the fastest growing private water and wastewater utility staffing providers in the country. We provide certified water treatment, distribution, wastewater treatment, collections, engineering, laboratory, water quality, maintenance, and training professionals to municipalities, special districts, and private utilities throughout the country. OTS offers temporary, temp to hire, direct hire and emergency on-call opportunities including great benefits.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of skilled tasks in the operation, inspection, and maintenance of the City's wastewater treatment plant and related facilities. Plant Operator III is the advanced journey-level class in the City’s Wastewater Plant Operator series. The training, intermediate, journey and advanced journey-level classes of this series may be alternately staffed, allowing advancement to this level upon attainment of the required certification. The incumbent prepares for the first line supervisory level class of Senior Plant Operator and performs the more complex plant operation and maintenance tasks on an assigned shift, while providing a lead function and using a higher degree of technical expertise. The Wastewater Plant Operator III must possess an advanced working knowledge of, and advanced skills in, the more complex plant operation tasks, may perform duties without direct and continuous supervision on an assigned shift and may act as a lead on special projects. The Wastewater Plant Operator III is able to perform duties as a “Lone Operator”.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Monitors, reads, and calculates the flow of sewage through the plant by meters, gauges, and usual inspection; operates pumps and valves to regulate flow and adjust chemical feeding according to established standards.

• Collects samples and makes routine and more complex chemical and physical tests monitoring for changing conditions and chemical feed requirements.

• Logs test results, meter and feed readings, flow rates, maintenance and other data; prepares daily and periodic reports on plant operations.

• Inspects pumps, motors, chemical feeders, level controls and other equipment to ensure proper operations; makes adjustments and emergency repairs on plant equipment as needed; works closely with maintenance and technical personnel to correct equipment problems.

• Performs/Leads a small crew in routine and more complex plant cleaning and maintenance such as: cleaning lines; hosing filters and basins; painting structures, equipment and piping; and maintaining plant grounds and facilities.

• Loads, unloads and stores materials and supplies; including the storage and transfer of chlorine and other hazardous materials.

• May answer phone calls from customers regarding more complex service problems and questions; may serve as central communications, taking and relaying information to and from department personnel on emergency needs and services.

• Participates in/Leads in skills and safety training programs; learns and implements safety rules, regulations and emergency procedures. Leads a small crew on special projects.

• Performs all phases of sludge processing including: operate and maintain centrifuge and all accessories; load sludge into trailers; perform routine preventive maintenance on all facility equipment.

• Participates in confined space entrance and rescue.

• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, climbing, crouching, crawling, balancing, twisting body motions, grasping, reaching, pushing, pulling, working overhead, making repetitive hand movement, distinguishing by touch and working with finger dexterity in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires talking, hearing, plus near and far and color vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The ability to lift, carry, and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds is also required. The incumbent works indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions including wet; the working environment has constant noise. Work takes place on slippery uneven surfaces, around machinery with moving parts or stationery equipment, around moving objects or vehicles, on ladders or scaffolding, and below ground. The incumbent occasionally works in confined spaces. The incumbent may use chemicals, grease and oils which will expose the employee to fumes, dust, and risk of skin exposure; the work includes working with hands in water. The incumbent must be able to perform duties assigned while wearing respiratory protection equipment. The incumbent may be exposed to biohazards and/or electrical energy. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to use power and noise producing tools and equipment and drive motorized vehicles.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• High school graduation or tested equivalent; and

• Two (2) years of experience in a wastewater treatment plant plus the successful completion of one (1) college-level course directly related to wastewater treatment.

Knowledge:

• Basic mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles.

• Current principles, practices, and regulations related to the treatment process of the wastewater treatment plant, including standard quality tests.

• Operation and maintenance of pumps, motors, valves, metering control systems and chemical feed equipment.

• Hand and power tools used in routine plant maintenance.

• Safety procedures pertaining to plant operations, including the techniques for handling and storing hazardous chemicals.

Skills:

• Operating, maintaining and adjusting treatment system equipment

• Reading, interpreting and recording data accurately

Abilities:

• Perform mathematical calculations accurately.

• Successfully implement basic leadership principles and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others as a peer and lead worker.

• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.

• Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to plant operation.

• Learn and assimilate more complex supervision principles, practices, and responsibilities.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a Grade III Wastewater Plant Operator's Certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as assigned.

• Must be clean shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment.

Operational Technical Services, (OTS), is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colors, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.