Biosolids Operator

Overview

End Date:

9/30/2025

Date Posted:

8/7/2025

Job Code:

Tech-SrOpE

Location:

Waste Water Plant

Address:

109 3rd Ave S

City:

Franklin

State:

TN

Country:

United States of America

Description

Starting Pay: $33.40 - $36.35/Hourly

Please click the link below for Benefits Information:

I. Purpose of Job

As an entry-level position, monitors and maintains controls of biosolids facility equipment and operations.

II. Essential Job Duties

A. Operational

• Monitors and operates biosolids equipment including centrifuge, thermal hydrolysis process, inspects equipment to ensure safe and correct operation.
• In conjunction with Biosolids Manager, troubleshoots a variety of mechanical issues and takes corrective action to keep equipment operational.
• Monitors and inventories chemicals and other supplies as needed to ensure continuous operation of the facility.
• Collects and interprets data to make effective process adjustments.
• Maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Performs process related preventive maintenance on equipment per the manufacturer's recommendations. Keeps equipment clean and in order to maximize effective lifespan of assets.
• Unloads, transfers, mixes, and stores dry and wet polymers and odor control chemicals in the solids facility.
• General understanding of boiler operation and safety, and familiarity in working with high pressures and high temperatures and associated operational safety risks.
• Ability to work independently on shift with direction from Biosolids Manager.
• Ability to perform as a team member and understand chain-of-command decisions.
• Monitors the general operation of the solids facility through understanding of Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) program under direct supervision of the Biosolids Manager and apply comprehension of process control and manipulation.
• General process understanding of methane gas production from anaerobic digestion and the use of the combined heat and power engine to produce electricity from cleaned methane gas.
• Perform cross-training on the liquids side of the facility to further understanding of the liquids to solids relationship in the wastewater treatment process.
• Conducts routine rounds to inspect and record plant operations in hardcopy and electronic format such as chemical tank usage, odor control operation, and general functionality of equipment in both solids and liquids process areas.
• Perform laboratory sampling to include total suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand, and pH sampling.

III. Other Job Duties

Performs other job duties as assigned, including:

• May operate mower and weed eater to maintain grounds.
• Maintains cleanliness and general housekeeping of work facility.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities to assist other employees in the Department as required.

IV. Primary Job Challenges

Primary challenges of this position include working around waterborne pathogens and communicating observed or potential issues.

This facility operates continuously and is divided into three shifts for full coverage of operations. Positions may require operations at a time other than typical weekday, day-shift work.

V. Equipment Operated

Operates all equipment in the facility as well as computers, tablets, and other office equipment such as printers.

VI. Key Competencies Required

• Job Content Knowledge: Has thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and operations as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Clean Water Operator. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the wastewater process, with a general understanding of boiler operation and safety and familiarity in working with high pressures and high temperatures and associated operational safety risks. Understands high pressure and steam environments and subsequent rapidly changing conditions that warrant sudden shifts in operations to maintain safety and process operations. Has general process understanding of methane gas production from anaerobic digestion and the use of the combined heat and power engine to produce electricity from cleaned methane gas. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. In decision making, some choices are known while others may need to be identified. Some reliance on precedent. Ability to interpret a variety of complex instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Teamwork: Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with others. Encourages others to express their ideas and opinions. Provides input into identifying and solving problems. Anticipates need of others for information about job tasks and work environment and provides it to them in a timely manner. Willingly assists others with job tasks when appropriate.

VII. Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands: Performance of the essential duties of this job requires the incumbent to:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Regularly move about around different worksites.
• Constantly operates equipment or machinery such as blowers, pressure washers, backpack blowers, backhoe, track hoe, small dump truck, asphalt roller, rubber tire frontend loader, tractor mower, bush hog, bobcat, chipper, jackhammer, tapping machine and underground piercing tools.
• Frequently positions self to maintain work area and items needed to complete daily tasks.
• Regularly communicates information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Occasionally ascends/descends ladders.
• Regularly moves/transports up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally moves/transports up to 100 pounds.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crawls, or crouches

Work Environment: Performance of the essential duties of this job requires:

• Regular exposure to fumes or airborne particles
• Frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Occasional work in high, precarious places
• Regular work near moving mechanical parts
• Regular work with toxic or caustic chemicals
• Occasional work near vibration
• Regular exposure to wet or humid conditions (non-weather).

The work environment is very loud (examples: metal can manufacturing department, large earth-moving equipment)

Minimum Requirements

VIII. Qualifications

Education and Experience: The required knowledge, skill, and abilities to satisfactorily perform job duties are normally acquired through attainment of an HS diploma or equivalent; and three to five years related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Certifications/Licenses: City of Franklin Site Specific Boiler Certification obtained within one year of employment and maintained throughout employment.

Anaerobic Digestion and Thermal Hydrolysis Basic Skills Certification obtained within one year of employment and maintained throughout employment.