Job Title

Job Family

Job Code

Job Exempt

Wastewater Plant Operator "C"

Liuna_Trades_And_Crafts

LSL59

Pay Grade

Pay Rate Type

Minimum

Midpoint

Maximum

L05

Hourly

$20.29

$25.87

$31.44

Job Description

Under general supervision, performs skilled work in the efficient operation of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned or rotating shift requiring a Class C operator license. Makes proper adjustments to equipment, machinery operating controls, and related control apparatus in accordance with established procedures and standards. Performs other related work as assigned. Exercises some independent judgment in making adjustments; however, unusual or major problems are reported to the shift supervisor for resolution. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to safety regulations. Work is normally performed under direction of Treatment Plant Operations Shift Supervisor and is reviewed primarily by observation and through the analysis of charts and reports.

Minimum Qualifications:
Associate's Degree or Technical Certificate. Florida Class 3 License for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator required. Valid Florida Driver's License required. Must pass annual respirator physical and any other state mandates; no facial hair allowed between the face and the sealing surface of the respirator face piece. Must have a phone or be reachable in the event of an emergency work situation.

Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

Note: The listed duties are only illustrative and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed by this job class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

Inspects wastewater plant equipment and machinery to determine that all machinery is operating properly; takes samples of effluent and sludge at various stages of the treatment process; performs routine laboratory and bacteriological analysis to determine effectiveness of treatment procedures; and records results.

Adjusts control devices of processes to provide effective treatment; operates gates, valves, and other mechanical equipment; inspects and adjusts treatment plant equipment, such as chlorinators, digesters, sludge collectors, filters, chemical feeders, conveyor systems, screens, and related equipment; inspects records/charts/meters; and, on the basis of recorded information, makes adjustments to controls in conformance with operating instructions.

Operates sludge processing equipment and belt presses.

Performs light maintenance services on a variety of plant equipment and machinery; may assist mechanics in major repairs and installation work.

Reads and records data registered on telemetering gauges involving pressure, supply, and distribution.

Instructs, trains, and may oversee other operators in plant procedures and operations; maintains records; and prepares periodic summary reports of operations.

Reports malfunctions of equipment to shift supervisor.

May be required to perform various grounds maintenance duties as assigned.

Ensures that reclaimed water coming through the plant meets the required permit levels of DO, turbidity, ammonia, nitrogen, and alkalinity throughout all points of testing; samples water at various testing points along the way to ensure that the City’s process is working efficiently.

Keeps an eye on equipment like pumps, filters, samplers, titrators, probes, etc. to make sure that they are working efficiently and reading accurately.

Applies knowledge of the equipment to find a solution if the equipment is not working properly; cleans, primes, replaces parts, switches to a standby piece of equipment, etc. to ensure the efficiency of the plant.

Logs all of related information on zone sheets, log books, and also hourly log books; documents monitoring information on SCADA in hourly log books; records (even remotely) the quality of the City’s water or the settings of equipment throughout the plant vis SCADA software; and monitors flow, chlorine, alkalinity, etc.

Goes to testing sites if monitoring numbers are outside parameters; determines whether those numbers are accurate; may shut off pumps and samplers if actually outside parameters; and opens/closes valves to send post end water back into the influent to be retreated.

Keeps plant clean; pulls weeds from nutrient rich areas of the plant; cleans work vehicles; hoses down any areas where sludge may have gotten onto the ground; rakes grit dumpsters; removes garbage; etc.

Works with PPE, chlorine, and S02 tanks; connects/disconnects tanks; puts tanks online/offline; makes sure PPE oxygen tanks are full; follows safety protocol; operates a crane; and makes sure that there is no dispersed gas in the air when the procedure is complete.

Is responsible for opening and closing valves; may lift manhole covers when this occurs.

Goes to certain areas of the plant as assigned; completes a checklist to ensure that the assigned area is clean and that all work equipment is accounted for in that area; and, if not, takes the steps necessary to ensure that it is.

Maintains Florida Wastewater Plant Operator Class C Certificate by obtaining CEUs through coursework.

Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Considerable knowledge of the operating principles and practices applicable to wastewater treatment plant equipment and machinery.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions required of work.

Some knowledge of mechanical maintenance and lubrication requirements of the equipment operated.

Ability to accurately follow routine operating and recording procedures and to understand and follow both oral and written instructions.

Ability to instruct assigned operators in plant operations.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to input information into a CRT computer terminal following basic oral or written instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees as necessitated by the work.

Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to detect faulty operating characteristics in equipment or processes and make minor mechanical repairs or adjustments.

Ability to maintain accurate and detailed operating records.

Ability to perform various physical duties such as walking, climbing stairs, twisting, turning, lifting heavy items, digging, shoveling, and manually operating gates and valves.

Ability to work shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Ability to work under extreme weather conditions with possible exposure to noxious fumes, toxic chemicals, insects, and loud noises from machinery.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROMOTION: N/A.