Operator - Water Treatment Plant

Join our team as an Operator, where you will have the crucial role of monitoring three potable Water Treatment Plants, ensuring safe and clean water supplies, overseeing remote stations, and maintaining an industrial water supply system. If you're passionate about contributing to essential public services and eager to perform rewarding related duties, we encourage you to apply and make a real difference in our community.

This is highly responsible technical work involving monitoring, operation, and maintenance of the freshwater supplies, treatment plants, remote stations, and industrial water supply facilities for the City-County. The work is performed under the general direction and supervision of the Water Plant Superintendent, but some leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain close cooperative working relationships with other division employees.

This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City-County of Butte-Silver Bow and the Local Union No. 400, of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Monitors water treatment plant operations using telemetry, electronic and physical gauges and measures, and personal observation of operating parameters.
• Adjusts plant processes in accord with established process parameters and procedures.
• Calibrates, monitors, and adjusts chemical equipment to meet process requirements.
• Changes, repairs, and maintains process equipment as required.
• Collects water samples for laboratory testing and analysis.
• Records sample collection and operations monitoring data according to established procedures.
• Performs routine maintenance and emergency repair on operating equipment including pumps, compressors, valves, and designated electronic equipment.
• Occasionally operates heavy equipment as part of the water treatment & industrial water supply facilities operations.
• Performs routine maintenance and adjustment on laboratory testing equipment.
• Maintains inventory information for plant and laboratory supplies, placing orders as necessary.
• Cleans all work areas as required.
• Performs building and grounds maintenance as needed, including mowing, painting, cleaning, etc.
• Performs dam, water supply, and reservoir maintenance as required.
• Performs regular and routine laboratory analysis as needed for monitoring and adjusting plant processes.
• Prepares reports and records on plant processes.
• Follows procedures and standards for the work of the division.
• Follows prescribed safety precautions.
• Attends meetings, conferences and workshops as requested and authorized.
• Performs related work as required.
• 24/7 Operation; rotating shift schedule
• Plant control via SCADA (supervisory control & data acquisition).
• Public relations--receive & respond to customer calls regarding water quality in a courteous and professional manner.
• Performs all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner. Specifically, complying with the Health & Safety Program; maintaining work areas in a safe and orderly manner; identifying and reporting unsafe conditions; reporting all accidents; wearing required personal protective equipment; and attending safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
• Performs all duties and work assignments in compliance with project quality requirements.
• Acts responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted business, occupational, and professional standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of functions, servicing requirements, and repair of mechanical equipment and machinery used in the plant.
• Thorough knowledge of freshwater treatment operations including collecting, pumping and treating freshwater.
• Thorough knowledge of the operation characteristics, monitoring, and process adjustment of freshwater treatment plants.
• Thorough knowledge of the processes and procedures of collecting and testing laboratory samples and performing related mathematical computations.
• Good knowledge of freshwater treatment plant principles and processes.
• Good knowledge of regulations for freshwater treatment.
• Good knowledge of the geography of the City-County related to water distribution systems.
• Good knowledge of prescribed work procedures.
• Some knowledge of freshwater treatment laboratory procedures.
• Ability to understand basic math and chemistry and apply to water treatment process.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with a diversified group of people under trying and stressful conditions.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate courteously and professionally to reflect a positive image of BSB Water Utility to its customers and the public.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to independently solve problems within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City-County employees, supervisory personnel, contractors, and consultants.
• Ability to prepare and maintain detailed records.
• Ability to perform work with speed, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate well with others, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of technical and manual tasks with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to perform necessary duties.
• Ability to use common tools and equipment.
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Some knowledge of SDS (Safety Data Sheets), chemicals used in plant production.
• Adhere to the Personnel Policies & Procedures set forth by the government of Butte Silver Bow.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from high school, preferably supplemented by additional training in water treatment and equipment maintenance and repair; and
• Some experience in the repair and maintenance of large equipment; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.

Required Special Qualifications

• Possession of a Class 1B Water Treatment Certification issued by the State of Montana, or the ability to pass the Class 1B Water Treatment Certification Exam in one year or less.
• Possession of additional licenses required for assigned duties.

• Possession of a valid Drivers License issued by the State of Montana.
• Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance. See below.

"2.08.010 Residence during employment . From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow. (Ord. 85 § 1, 1979)
Essential Physical Abilities

• Clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with other division employees, contractors, and consultants.
• Sufficient vision, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to accurately monitor plant processes, and to produce and review a wide variety of reports and related materials.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard, to adjust process control valves and other mechanical adjustments, to transport and to perform maintenance and repair on large mechanical equipment, and to produce hand-written materials and notations.
• Sufficient personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to inspect plant locations as required for operation and maintenance, work in cramped spaces and maneuver in small openings.
• Requires periodic lifting of 50-pound chemical bags. Occasionally, maintenance may require lifting of approximately 75 pounds.
• Requires entry into confined spaces such as manholes, tanks, vaults, and reservoirs.

The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status.

The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities. Tasks and duties of the employee may differ from those outlined above.