Water Plant Operator IV/Trainee

The Water Plant Operator IV / Trainee performs technical work operating a water treatment plant, taking samples and performing routine tests, ensuring proper plant operation, preparing and maintaining records and reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Superintendent - Water.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions .

• Fills, monitors, and adjusts chemicals at each of the well buildings and at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
• Monitors turbidities, pH and alkalinity at the water treatment plant and adjusts as necessary; ensures production remains within specified Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) parameters.
• Performs laboratory tests to analyze water quality from various sources.
• Assist with Safe Drinking Water Act sampling program for Town water supply by conducting sample collection process.
• Repairs various pumps, valves, plumbing, electrical, and other plant-related systems as needed.
• Enters data into spreadsheets for daily recording.
• Flushes hydrants near dead ends in the distribution system.
• Executes other job duties as necessary.

Required

• High School diploma with GED.
• Minimal experience in water treatment plant operations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Obtain Class IV Waterworks Operator license in the Commonwealth of Virginia within one (1) year of hire.
• Must meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position.
• Valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Some knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment, and methods used in water treatment and pumping operations; some knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a water treatment plant; some knowledge of the occupational hazards connected with water plant operations and related activities and of necessary safety precautions; some knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment; ability to adjust pumps, chemical feed machines, and other plant equipment; ability to detect flaws in the operation of equipment and to determine proper remedial measures; ability to take accurate readings and to keep routine records and reports; ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors, and the general public.

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to vibration; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).