Wastewater Plant Operator OIT / I / II

The City of Pismo Beach is hiring for a Wastewater Plant Operator. Depending on applicant experience, the City can fill the position as an OIT, Operator I or Operator II. Please note that salary is different depending on classification and experience. 9/80 schedule available if desired by candidate.

The ideal candidate will work well in a team environment, be self-motivated, professional, respectful, and provide excellent customer service to the public and co-workers.

OIT or Wastewater Plant Operator I
Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, facilities, pump/lift stations, and related appurtenances as found in a wastewater treatment plant, as well as, wastewater collection systems; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; assists with preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to plant facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.

This position requires a California driver's license at time of appointment. Additionally, this position requires the ability to obtain an Operator-In-Training certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) within ninety (90) days of employment or the date of entry into the position, or the ability to obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the SWRCB within twenty-four (24) months of employment or the date of entry into the position.

PLEASE NOTE: Salary Information for the Wastewater Plant Operator I is as follows:
$29.24 - $35.54 Hourly
$60,824 - $73,932 Annually

Wastewater Plant Operator II
Under direct or general supervision, operates equipment, facilities, pump/lift stations, and related appurtenances as found in a wastewater treatment plant, as well as, wastewater collection systems; takes periodic samples and performs standardized tests to ensure proper operation within established guidelines; assists with preventive maintenance and makes minor repairs to plant facilities and equipment; and performs related work as required.

The ideal candidate will have well-established skills in Wastewater Treatment and Collection System maintenance, including electrical troubleshooting and repair, pump repair and sewer line cleaning experience.

This position requires a valid Grade II, or higher, Wastewater Operator Certification at time of application, and ability to obtain a Class A with Haz-Mat and tanker endorsement within 6 months of employment, or date of entry into the position.

PLEASE NOTE: Salary Information for the Wastewater Plant Operator II is as follows:
$33.91 - $41.22 Hourly
$70,537 - $85,739 Annually

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Monitors plant operations equipment and processes to ensure compliance with environmental and public health standards, including monitoring and making adjustments to optimize efficiency, making chemical dosage changes, changing pumping rates, and monitoring all equipment daily.
• Operates valves, pumps, and automated controls to regulate the flow of wastewater through the system; operates valves to dispose of wastewater effluent.
• Reviews and analyzes automated information and control system data and revises equipment settings as appropriate; notifies supervisor of unusual situations and makes inspections or corrects system problems as necessary.
• Reads, records, and calculates readings of meters and gauges; interprets information into operational characteristics; changes flow meter charts; makes process adjustments according to information gathered, samples collected, readings, and records.
• Collects wastewater, sludge, and other samples from various phases of the treatment process; performs standard chemical and physical tests on these samples to ensure that the plant is operating effectively and that regulatory requirements are being met.
• Interprets and performs routine laboratory and process tests to optimize plant performance, checks the results, and recommends changes to the Supervisor.
• Performs proper usage and handling of chemicals according to industry standards.
• Assists in preventive maintenance on a variety of treatment plant equipment, such as electric motors, engines, gas and electric powered pumps, drive units, emergency systems, power generation systems, pressure and flow regulators, and other treatment plant fixtures and appliances.
• Lubricates pumps, motors, chains, conveyors, blowers, chlorinators, sprinklers, rotation distributors, scrapers, filter screens, and other machinery and equipment; removes blockages; replaces worn parts; participates in determining equipment problems and suggesting methods of minimizing such problems in an operational setting.
• Performs inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair activities of wastewater collection systems; checks, cleans, and repairs collection system and treatment plant lines, pits, screens, tanks, and mechanisms; shuts down appropriate parts for repair and returns to service once repair is completed.
• Operates and maintains a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignments as instructed.
• Locates and marks underground utilities in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Performs pretreatment inspections and tests of industrial and commercial waste disposal systems to ensure compliance with ordinances and permit requirements.
• Performs a variety of general and ground maintenance activities, including mowing, edging, and trimming landscaped areas as scheduled, weed abatement, and painting facilities and equipment when needed; assists in maintenance painting of plant machinery, equipment, piping, and other structures; maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles, practices, tools, and materials as they relate to the operation, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of wastewater treatment, disposal, and collection systems, facilities, and equipment.
• Basic principles and practices of record-keeping methods.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Principles, practices, equipment, materials, and tools used in the operation, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of wastewater treatment, disposal, and collection systems, facilities, and equipment.
• Operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves, and related appurtenances.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures.
• Basic equipment troubleshooting principles and practices.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Basic arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work, including the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals.

Ability to:

• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and light to heavy equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Operate, maintain, and repair a variety of wastewater treatment, disposal, and collection systems, facilities, and equipment.
• Recognize and correct or report unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions.
• Read a variety of gauges, charts, and meters, record data accurately and make appropriate process adjustments.
• Conduct standard chemical and physical tests of wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Handle hazardous chemicals in a safe manner.
• Interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades, and flagging.
• Locate underground utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Read, interpret, and apply technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Supplemental Information

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

OIT or Wastewater Plant Operator I
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. One (1) year of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
• Ability to obtain a valid Class A California driver's license with appropriate endorsements within twelve (12) months of employment or date of entry into the position.
• Ability to obtain an Operator-In-Training certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) within ninety (90) days of employment or the date of entry into the position.
• Ability to obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the SWRCB within twenty-four (24) months of employment or the date of entry into the position.

PLEASE NOTE: Salary Information for the Wastewater Plant Operator I is as follows:
$29.24 - $35.54 Hourly
$60,824 - $73,932 Annually

Wastewater Plant Operator II
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Supplemental specialized training in wastewater treatment plant operations and/or maintenance or related field and three (3) years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations or two (2) years of experience equivalent to Wastewater Operator I at the City of Pismo Beach.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Ability to obtain a valid Class A California driver's license with appropriate endorsements within six (6) months of employment or date of entry into the position.
• Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the SWRCB.

PLEASE NOTE: Salary Information for the Wastewater Plant Operator II is as follows:
$33.91 - $41.22 Hourly
$70,537 - $85,739 Annually

**Wastewater Operator is a DOT regulated position, as it requires a Class A license. Operators will be required to enroll in DOT Program.**