Operator 3 - Water Reclamation Plant

The City of Rochester welcomes applications for:

Operator 3 Water Reclamation Plant

The Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), as a division of the Public Works Department within the City of Rochester, Minnesota (population 120,000+), is nationally recognized for its energy management initiatives. WRP is a continuously operated facility that runs a High Purity Oxygen Plant, rated at 19.1 million gallons per day, and an Aeration Basin Complex Plant, rated at 4.5 million gallons per day, parallel on the same site. The plant treats approximately 14 million gallons of wastewater per day, annually recovers over $600,000 in energy costs, and recycles over $650,000.00 worth of Biosolids per year.

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together .
2025 wage range is $26.29 to $34.03 per hour

To have your application considered with the first round of reviews, please submit your application before January 30, 2025.
Nature of Work
The Operator 3 is an entry-level position within the Water Reclamation Plant, a municipal wastewater treatment facility. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, performing routine/preventative maintenance; minor equipment/machinery maintenance; cleaning structures; maintaining grounds; operating equipment/vehicles; collecting samples; reading and recording of meters; and completing plant operational functions as assigned. The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment or location.
*Perform general plant maintenance

• Clean buildings, weirs, tanks, drains, motors, equipment, floors, pipes, and other facilities
• Assist contractors with maintenance and cleaning when assigned
• Sweep, mop and vacuum floors
• Wash walls and windows
• Maintain assigned work areas in an orderly manner
• Clean area and equipment after maintenance projects
• Assist painter with surface preparation and painting

*Provide service and maintenance of mechanical equipment and machinery

• Inspect machinery and mechanical equipment in order to detect malfunctions
• Perform minor maintenance on machinery and mechanical equipment
• Clean, oil and grease equipment
• Operate a variety of plant equipment used in pumping and controlling wastewater
• Read and record meter readings
• Assist with corrective maintenance and repair of plant equipment to ensure that equipment is in satisfactory working condition
• Clean and service vehicles

*Perform grounds maintenance

• Mow grass, trim, edge, seed, sod, fertilize, landscape, prepare and spray chemicals for weed control
• Clear brush/weeds and prune trees/shrubs
• Assist with snow removal
• Maintain and adjust grounds maintenance equipment and tools

*Collect samples

• Collect wastewater samples and take meter readings at different industrial facilities
• Collect river water samples as required

*Complete plant operational functions

• Assist in the operation of the treatment process
• Perform laboratory tests and assist laboratory personnel as assigned
• Aid in the application of biosolids

Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

* ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Education and Experience
If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.

Considered education and experience may include, but is not limited to:
Completion of a diploma program in water environment technologies or related field from an accredited technical college training program
OR
Completion of a Building Utility Mechanic (BUM) diploma or degree program and one year of operational experience at a Class B or higher wastewater treatment facility
OR
High School diploma or equivalent and three years of operational experience at a Class B or higher wastewater treatment facility

Licenses and Certifications
Applicants must possess noted licensures/certifications at the time of hire and if hired, must continuously maintain licensures/certifications as a condition of continued employment.
Valid driver's license
Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Class D certification within one year of hire

Desirable Qualifications
Working knowledge of Windows based computer software
Minnesota Type IV Biosolids Operator License
Special Boiler Operator's License *THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)
Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: equipment, facilities, materials, methods and procedures used in maintenance activities; the functions and servicing requirements of mechanical equipment and machinery; computer operations; basic wastewater processes including physical, chemical, and biological components; the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the operation of wastewater treatment plant equipment and processes; and the type and significance of laboratory tests performed in wastewater treatment operations.

Skill in: operation of maintenance tools and equipment; and effective communication techniques.

Ability to: use standard mechanical tools; read meters and gages correctly; operate a variety of plant equipment; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; work independently or as part of team; follow oral and written instructions; and work with others in a cooperative manner.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Medium/Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds infrequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: standing and walking.

Frequent demands: lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, crouching, bending, twisting, balancing, simultaneous use of wrists and hands, and foot controls.

Occasional demands: carrying, sitting, climbing, and crawling.

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:

• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
• Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body)
• Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
• Work outdoors (no effective protection from the weather)
• Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
• Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)
• Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
• Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)
• Potential exposure to infectious diseases