Water Plant Operator

Meet Santa Margarita Water District

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the regions largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWDs goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies.

Santa Margarita Water Districts values include:

• Exemplary service excellence
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency
• Environmental and resource stewardship
• Employee development and leadership training
• Building relationships that strengthen communities

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by individual positions.

JOB SUMMARY

Under direct supervision, performs a variety of skilled duties in the operation, monitoring, maintenance and servicing of water and/or water treatment processes, machinery and equipment; performs routine laboratory tests; ensures the process meets regulatory compliance guidelines.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A Water Plant Operator is the entry level in the Water Plant Operator series. Duties are performed within parameters established by the level of the California State Water Resources Control Board certifications, referring more complex issues and problems to the senior operator, shift operator or Chief Plant Operator for resolution and decision making..

This position reports directly to the Chief Plant Operator and may take work direction from a higher level operator or shift operator. Water Plant Operator is distinguished from Senior Water Plant Operator in that an incumbent in the latter class has a higher level of certification, has the plant opera­tions knowledge and experience to perform direct super­vision, and able to resolve problems/malfunctions in any plant.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Assists in monitoring and troubleshooting water treatment facilities operations by using manual, electronic and computer process control systems to regulate water flow and plant processes; reads gauges, meters, charts and graphs, and operates pumps, valves, electric motors and related equipment; assists the Shift Operator and higher level operators in plant rounds and operations adjustments.
2. Inspects plant equipment to ensure its proper functioning, minimizing interruptions in the treatment process, and alleviating repairs; makes minor adjustments to operating equipment; as directed, stops and starts equipment as required for repairs; assists specialized trades personnel and other operators in the installation, maintenance and repair of equipment, machinery and systems; assists in monitoring systems for emergencies and scheduled shutdowns and for quality control.
3. Collects samples for process and compliance monitoring and quality control testing and delivers to laboratory; under supervision, adjusts process.
4. Checks chemical alarms and feed systems for leaks; operates, adjusts and maintains chemical feed equipment to ensure compliance with established standards.
5. Cleans tanks and other facilities; maintains buildings and grounds in a clean and orderly manner.
6. Prepares a variety of work reports and records such as logging plant operations, test results, main­tenance work performed, and unusual operating conditions encountered.
7. Operates a variety of vehicles, hand and power equipment; checks pre-operating condition of vehicles and equipment to ensure proper and safe working condition; ensures proper loading and unloading of tools and equipment; cleans and maintains tools and equipment.
8. Follows strict safety policies and safe work procedures; assists as a first responder in the event of emergency or chemical spills, using required safety and personal protective equipment; ensures safety equipment is in sound working condition; participates in District safety training.
9. Responds to after-hour calls.
10. Operate a vehicle and a variety of hand tools and test equipment related to the work.
11. Operates vehicles in performing assignments; ensures assigned vehicle is checked for proper fuel and fluid levels; inspects and fuels vehicle; reports any inoperable deficiencies through daily trip logs.
12. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education, Training and Experience:

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent with additional college-level course­work in water and/or wastewater treatment, environmental studies or related field, and at least one year of progressively responsible experience in entry-level water plant operation; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a public agency is preferred.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C drivers license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Districts vehicle insurance program.

Possession of the following certificates:

• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 certification,

• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade 2 certification

Ability to:

1. Receive daily work instructions as a Water Treatment Plant Operator at an assigned facility.
2. Monitor and analyze treatment plant and recycled water system processes, troubleshoot system and equipment anomalies, malfunctions and failures, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt effective courses of action quickly and effectively.
3. Operate a variety of pumping, treatment and process control equipment and machinery.
4. Accurately read meters, gauges, valve books, blueprints and schematic drawings.
5. Make mathematic calculations, including metrics.
6. Understand and explain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.
7. Operate a computer, standard business software and a variety of computer software programs and databases related to area of assignment.
8. Work independently and exercise sound judgment in performing assignments within general policy guidelines.
9. Prepare clear and accurate logs, reports, documents, data entries and files.
10. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
11. Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
12. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.
13. Safely operate a District vehicle on city streets and freeways.

Knowledge of:

1. Principles, methods and techniques for operating pumps, valves, electric motors and engines.
2. Principles, practices and techniques of treatment processes applicable to the Districts system.
3. Methods and practices in the installation, maintenance and repair of chemical feed systems and machinery and equipment of similar complexity.
4. Principles, methods, practices and techniques utilized in chemical and biological analyses.
5. Uses of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) control systems and instrumentation, manual control systems and computer applications related to the work.
6. Safe Drinking Water Act, AWWA and relevant state and federal regulations.
7. Safety policies, procedures and safe work practices applicable to assignment including OSHA regulations, confined space entry, lock out/tag out procedures, and procedures for emergency or chemical spills while acting as a first responder
8. Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
9. Records management, recordkeeping, filing and basic purchasing practices and procedures.
10. Uses and operations of computers, standard business software and specialized database and spread­sheet applications.
11. Techniques for providing high level of customer service to the public and District staff, in person and over the telephone

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; climb or balance on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Employees in this class are periodically required to wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and make confined-space entry. In accordance with OSHA regu­la­tions, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effec­tiveness of respirator equipment. Reasonable accommo­dations may be made to enable indivi­duals with disabili­ties to perform essential duties of the class as they relate to this requirement.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathe­matical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interrup­tions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee regularly works in outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; wet or humid condi­tions; in confined spaces; on ladders/scaffolding or in high, precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near moving mechanical parts; near moving equipment; and occasionally near heavy traffic.

The employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and biological hazards, loud or prolonged noise and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be at risk of electrical shock.

The employee may be required to work various shifts , including after hours, weekends and holidays as needed.