Senior Wastewater Plant Operator

Under direction, provide day-to-day supervision as working leader at the wastewater treatment plant; to monitor and adjust equipment, perform laboratory tests, maintain treatment plant and pumping station facilities; and to do related work as required. This is the leader level certificated class in the wastewater operations series.

• Plans and schedules work of wastewater treatment operators;
• Assists operators when necessary;
• Assigns special projects to operators as needed;
• Assists in evaluating performance of operators;
• Runs plant sludge de-watering equipment when scheduled;
• Monitors the operation of wastewater treatment plant process, including mechanical equipment such as pumps, motors, and other equipment;
• Checks secondary treatment tanks, sewage pumps, and related equipment;
• Adjusts controls on wastewater treatment plant equipment and machinery such as valves, motors, pumps, chlorinators, filters, chemical feeders, and clarifiers to insure efficient operation of plant equipment;
• Establishes and leads a preventative maintenance program for the wastewater treatment plant, lift stations and distribution lines;
• Assists in training personnel in the proper operation and maintenance of the plant;
• Makes recommendations on the types and kinds of equipment needed for wastewater maintenance and repair;
• Recommends plant changes in operating procedures, proper sludge handling, maintenance and safety procedures;
• Regulates pressures and flow of wastewater;
• Reads gauges, dials and other instruments and records data;
• Oils, greases, and cleans equipment;
• Cleans, adjusts, and repacks valves and pumps;
• Collects samples and performs laboratory tests such as dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demands, specific conductants, and other related tests;
• Makes necessary calculations to obtain and record accurate test results;
• Mixes reagents;
• Operates an autoclave for sterilizing broth mediums;
• Inspects and makes mechanical repairs to plant and pumping station equipment;
• Keeps records of plant operations and laboratory tests.

• Serves as lab technician when necessary and acts for the Plant Management in their absence.
• Performs plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, sanding, and painting;
• As backup and demonstration, may perform any of the duties normally assigned to Wastewater Operators;
• Performs related work as required.

Any combination equivalent to completion of high school and the qualifying course for certification; four(4) years of experience as a wastewater operator and some experience supervising others; possession of an operator's Grade III certificate or ability to acquire a Grade III Wastewater Operator Certificate within 24 months of hire , unless extended for good cause by the City Manager, issued by the State Water Resources Control Board and a valid California motor vehicle operator's Class B license or ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire.

Ability to :Understand and follow oral and written instructions; plan and organize work for self and others; lift heavy articles, take wastewater and sludge samples and perform laboratory tests; operate, repair and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment; read and record gauges and other instruments; keep accurate records and prepare reports; maintain effective working relationships with subordinates and other employees; communicate in acourteous manner with the public; work independently exercising good judgment and initiative; be available for 24-hour on-call duty when assigned; and retain other operators.

Knowledge of : Basic principles of activated sludge process, tertiary treatment, compressed air, fuel gas, water, chlorine, and electrical systems; practices concerning the operation of pumps, motors, gauges, and related mechanical equipment; principles and methods of bacteriological and chemical wastewater analysis; design applications, operation control and calculations involved in primary treatment and extended aeration activated sludge process; tools, dialindicators, electrical measuring devices, vacuum and pressure gauges used in wastewater treatment plant operation, common construction and maintenance hand tools, equipment and materials; basic mechanical and mathematical principles; proper procedures for working safely.