Plant Operator (Wastewater Operations)

Department:

Public Works

Division:

Wastewater Operations The wage for this position is set by the IUOE Collective Bargaining Agreement, starting at Step A: $36.00.

Position Salary Range: $36.00 - $42.16

Currently, the typical schedule for a person in this position will be four (4), 10-hour shifts, 7:00am - 5:30pm, either Sunday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Saturday. This position also requires being on paid standby duty for a 7-day period each month, working holidays, weekends, and nights. A response time of 30 minutes from your residence to the Wastewater Treatment Plant is required during assigned standby duty.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Three (3) years of experience in wastewater operations.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver's license upon hire date.

• Washington State Group III Wastewater Operator Certification upon hire date.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience working with and reporting to wastewater related regulatory agencies.

• Level 3 or 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant operations experience.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Wastewater/Stormwater Manager or designee, operates and monitors wastewater treatment plant and compost facility equipment to meet quality specifications; responds to, evaluates, and takes corrective action necessary for after-hours emergency calls concerning the stormwater and sewer collection systems and the water distribution system. Ability to work rotating shifts, to include weekends and holidays.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Duties listed are representative of the types of tasks and functions performed by positions of this class of work. Percentage of time and rank of importance of duties are not listed since both will vary by position and work location.

• Monitors instrumentation, adjusts pumping rates, collects samples, and maintains and records data to evaluate plant process control, plant effluent quality, and compost facility operation.

• Performs routine checks of equipment at treatment plant and lift stations.

• Performs routine preventative maintenance duties such as greasing and oil changes.

• Loads, unloads, and changes chlorine cylinders.

• Performs housekeeping duties to ensure safe, clean, orderly condition at the treatment plant and related facilities.

• Performs routine operator-laboratory tests to measure effluent quality and process control parameters.

• Trains, directs, oversees and provides guidance to assigned entry-level staff executing ongoing operational programs and special projects in the division.

• Uses computer to input data and monitor treatment plant and related facilities.

• Operates and troubleshoots equipment used in treatment plant, compost facility, collection system, and lift stations, including light vehicles, dump trucks, and tractors.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Identify specific and realistic knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to competently perform this job.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes and regulations related to assigned activities.

• Treatment plant equipment and tools.

• Lift stations and wastewater collection systems.

• Modern office practices, methods, procedures and equipment.

• Record-keeping principles, procedures, and techniques.

• Applicable health and safety policy, procedures and practices.

Skills and abilities to:

• Learn, read, interpret, and apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Assist with the training and directing of assigned staff. Make decisions and determine appropriate course of action within defined guidelines.

• Apply basic mathematics and chemistry related to wastewater treatment and compost facility operations.

• Follow oral and written instructions.

• Follow health and safety regulations.

• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communications in a clear, concise and understandable manner to intended audiences.

• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet deadlines.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.

• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Operate a variety of modem office equipment and personal computers in a Windows-based computing environment, using standard or customized software application programs appropriate to assigned tasks.

• Provide continuous effort to improve operations and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment:

• Typically performed at the wastewater treatment plant but may require some travel daily from site to site and checking on construction.

• The position involves some work outdoors on a year round basis and may be subject to extreme weather conditions.

• Work requires operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant and compost facility.

• Operators may encounter dust, noise and fumes typically associated with construction work.

• Operators may work above or below the ground.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, depending on whether in the office and/or at the composting or wastewater plant.

• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles within the compositing facility and the wastewater treatment plant.

• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies/procedures.

Physical Demands:

• Operate a motorized vehicle, which may include inclement weather conditions.

• Operate standard equipment for assigned tasks.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach with arms and hands, kneel and stretch, occasionally crawling in tight spaces, such as attics and crawl spaces as well as the ability to climb ladders and stairs, ride on platform hoists.

• Ability to walk through construction sites at all stages of completion, and negotiate uneven terrain.

• Ability to lift, push, carry and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 lbs. using proper lifting techniques.

• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to include repetitive grasping and reaching.

• Good vision to read print, monitors and a computer screen.

• Ability to hear and speak to communicate in person and over the telephone.

BENEFIT INFORMATION

Summary of City of Richland benefits for IUOE affiliated staff (union-represented employees):

Regular Full-Time Employee Benefits

• Excellent preferred provider plan with a substantial City-paid contribution

• City-paid dental and vision plans

• City-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (equals two times the employees annual salary)

• City-paid Long-term Disability Insurance

• Participation in the State of Washington's Retirement Plan (PERS)

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 10 Paid Holidays

• 4% City-match (base pay) deferred compensation plan 457

• Extended Sick Leave (ESL)

• City-paid and Employee-paid Retirement Health Savings Plan

• Section 125 - Flexible Benefits Plan (Medical/Dependent Care)

• Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off (PTO) Accrual Rates

**Rates subject to change based upon collective bargaining agreement (CBA). See CBA for eligibility requirements. For 2025-2027 IUOE CBA, rates are as follows:

Years of Continuous Service**Hours Per Month**

0-9: 20.17

10-15: 22.17

16-20: 24.17

20+: 26.17

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

This position will be posted internally/externally concurrently. However, only qualified, regular full-time, IUOE members will be given first consideration if they apply within the first five (5) working internal days of posting. If no qualified IUOE members apply within the internal posting close date, then all qualified external applicants will be considered. Internal qualified applicants who apply after the initial five (5) day posting will compete with qualified external applicants.

Selection will be made based on qualifications, skills testing (if applicable) and an oral board interview. Final selection will be based on comprehensive background/reference check and a pre-employment physical commensurate to the position.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

The duties listed above 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 the position.

The job classification description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Richland and employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diversified work force. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), martial or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided for participation in the application and selection process, if requested. Persons with a disability who need assistance must notify the Human Resources Department about the accommodation needed at the time of application and prior to the closing date by calling ....

The provisions of job announcements listed on this website do not constitute an expressed, or implied, contract of employment with the City. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.