Water Treatment Plant Operator I/II/Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator

This is a repost previous applicants don't need to re-apply**

Under general supervision, The Water Treatment Plant Operator I and II performs responsible technical work in the operation and minor maintenance of equipment at a water treatment plant on an assigned shift. Depending upon qualifications work involves: collecting and testing water samples from the conventional treatment plant and electro-dialysis reversal (EDR) system, and controlling mechanical, electrical, and chemical equipment involved in pumping and/or treating water; periodically checking the water pumps, feed systems and tank levels, making changes as necessary; adjusting chemical feed as required, monitoring lake levels; responding to after-hours water and sewage emergencies and responding to inquiries or complaints from the general public.

Under general supervision, The Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator performs responsible supervisory and technical work in the operation of the City's water treatment plant (electro-dialysis reversal (EDR) and conventional treatment) equipment to ensure distribution of safe, potable drinking water to the City. Work involves operating the assigned water treatment plant on a daily basis, periodically checking the water pumps, feed systems and tank levels, and making changes as necessary; calculating chemical feed dosages; and reading various charts, graphs, gauges and meters to ensure water quality and water flow. Employee is also responsible for handling calls for water and sewer emergencies after hours as well as supervising and training plant operators.

The Water Treatment Plant Operator I and II reports to the Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator. The Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator reports to the Operations Supervisor.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
The City of Suffolk is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II and Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator

• Inspects and monitors water treatment plant equipment and machinery to determine that all machinery is operating properly and to ensure preparation of potable drinking water for distribution to the City; takes water samples at various stages of the treatment process; conducts laboratory analysis to determine effectiveness of treatment procedures and records results; adjusts plant equipment based on test results.
• Obtains water samples and performs chemical tests to raw water and treated water samples, and interprets test results; prepares testing standards.
• Utilizes mathematical formulas to calculate chemical feed rates; adjusts feed rates accordingly.
• Monitors and regulates tank levels, flows and pressures within the water distribution system and throughout the plant, and makes adjustments to controlling machinery and instruments as necessary; monitors levels of surface water reservoirs, lakes, and wells, and records findings.
• Maintains records of plant operations and prepares periodic reports for submission to superiors or others as required or requested.
• Maintains accurate records of data collected on the results of tests run, and enters data into computer from charts and logs.
• Monitors pump station alarms; reports them to proper personnel or adjusts equipment as necessary.
• Sanitizes laboratory glassware to ensure clean conditions for accurate testing; investigates aberrations in test results attributable to testing equipment, making equipment adjustments as necessary; disposes of laboratory waste in an appropriate manner.
• Maintains sufficient supplies of chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, carbon, sodium hydroxide, corrosive inhibitors, and various other chemicals to proper feed points, filling and/or positioning tanks, as appropriate; performs quality assurance tests to bulk chemicals.
• Performs minor repair and maintenance of plant equipment; reports major repair needs to department maintenance personnel.
• Records test results through the use of a computer and computer-driven software; establishes and maintain records of various data.
• Monitor sewage stations for problems and notifies sewage department when they occur.
• Informs fellow operators of any significant information at the conclusion of every shift.
• Performs routine custodial duties in various areas of plant, as necessary.
• Receives deliveries of materials and supplies, logging deliveries and overseeing proper storage of such items.
• Responds to after-hours calls in cases of problems or disruptions in water distribution or collection, customer complaints, naturals or manmade disasters affecting plant operations, etc.
• May lead tours of treatment plant and answer inquiries pertaining to plant operations, procedures, programs, etc.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Additional Duties for Water Treatment Operator II

• Conducts chlorine residual tests for community well systems and make adjustments in chlorine feed as needed; performs checks on city-owned wells, and collects well meter readings.
• Maintains testing equipment and instruments; sanitizes laboratory glassware to ensure clean conditions for accurate testing; investigates aberrations in test results attributable to testing equipment, making equipment adjustments as necessary; disposes of laboratory waste in an appropriate manner.
• Assigns activities, supervises and trains operators on duty, instructs and advises operators on operating policies and procedures, safety procedures, water quality standards, etc.
• Performs the Shift Operator's tasks when required.

Additional Duties for Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator

• Monitors the EDR plant to maintain proper pressure/flow rates required in the manufacturers specifications and to notify plant maintenance, management, and the manufacturer should significant deviations exist.
• Supervises and trains plant operators on duty (Water Treatment Plant Operator I & II) instructing and advising operators on operating policies and procedures, safety procedures, water quality standards, etc.; assigns and supervises activities of plant operators on an assigned shift; completes performance appraisals of subordinate plant operators.
• Monitors sewage pump station and well alarm systems.
• Acts as contact with the general public in emergency situations involving water distribution or sewer functions after hours and on holidays.
• Collects information from general public, evaluates the emergency situations and dispatches the appropriate employees.
• Responds to after-hours calls in cases of problems or disruptions in water distribution or collection, customer complaints, natural or manmade disasters affecting plant operations, etc.

The selected candidate will be hired into one of the positions below depending on qualifications:

Water Treatment Plant Operator I - Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent ; any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.

Certification as a Class IV Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks Operators required within 2 years of initial employment. Certification as a Class III Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks Operators must be obtained within three years of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator I. Certification as a Class II Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks must be obtained within five years of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator I and upon certification as a Class II Operator, employee will be reclassified to a Water Treatment Plant Operator II. Employees hired as a Water Treatment Plant Operator I prior to revision date of job description are not subject to the time requirements set for receipt of certifications noted. Salary: $49,466

Water Treatment Plant Operator II - Must possess a high school or equivalent as well as valid Virginia Waterworks Operators Class 2 license ; any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.

Certification as a Class II Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks Operators required for initial employment. Certification as a Class I Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks must be obtained within three years of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator II and upon certification as a Class I Operator, employee will be reclassified to a Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator. Employees hired as a Water Treatment Plant Operator II prior to revision date of job description are not subject to the time requirements set for receipt of certifications noted. Salary: $54,535

Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator - Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks Operators; any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license . Salary: $63,823.00 - $90,072.00

• Depending upon qualifications knowledge of the duties of a Water Treatment Plant Operator I, II or Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator.
• Knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water treatment and pumping plant equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities.
• Knowledge of the mechanical maintenance and lubrication requirements of the equipment operated.
• Knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment.
• Knowledge of water testing procedures.
• Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of chemical and bacteriological analysis as related to potable drinking water.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, materials and equipment used in chemical analysis of drinking water.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the fields of water treatment and water treatment plant operations.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to the treatment of water for distribution as drinking water.
• Ability to recognize breakdowns in water treatment plant equipment.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement in making decisions and coordinating the proper operation of water treatment equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures.
• Ability to make minor repairs of equipment operated. Has some knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures.
• Ability to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water treatment equipment chemical feed machines and other related equipment.
• Ability to secure the requisite operator's certificate as required by work assignments.
• Ability to perform accurate chemical tests and analysis.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to keep accurate records and prepares reports.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to make oral presentations before groups of people.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors, and giving instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, maintenance records, correspondence, etc.; to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, narrative and statistical reports, studies, graphs, charts, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biological terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, and geometry.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.