Wastewater Plant Operator 1
Supervisor: Public Works Supervision Structure
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Random Substance Testing: Yes
Position Number: PW/11
Employment Opportunity Summary
This position is responsible for operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment plants, lift stations and related equipment. This position ensures proper treatment of wastewater in accordance with specifications contained within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and related U.S. EPA parameters including the maintenance of records, analysis of operations and results of maintenance performed.
Employment Opportunity Additional Details
Job Scope
The purpose of this position is to help ensure the proper operation of the wastewater treatment facility, lift stations and related equipment. Successful performance in the job contributes to the effective and efficient treatment of wastewater that produces a treated effluent and sludge that are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, permits and associated guidelines.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Monitors the wastewater treatment process including the structural, mechanical and electrical systems within the treatment plant. Makes necessary adjustments; troubleshoots and corrects problems as directed by the supervisor.
- Operates and monitors the performance of machinery and equipment used to control the treatment process. Learns to recognize unusual conditions at the treatment plant, or lift stations, including changes in influent and as applicable, notifies supervisor or makes needed changes and documents all changes.
- Recognizes facility equipment and lift station equipment in need of maintenance and/or repair/replacement. Documents and notifies supervisor or management staff of equipment in need of maintenance, repair or replacement. Operates and monitors the performance of machinery and equipment used to control the treatment process. Assists in the routine maintenance of plant and lift station equipment, as outlined in the maintenance schedule and as directed by the supervisor.
- Assists in the collection and testing of wastewater and sludge samples for operational testing and NPDES permit required testing. Follows federal and state rules and regulations regarding the collection, preservation, and testing of all samples collected.
- Ensures that the wastewater treatment plant effluent complies with all applicable state and federal environmental rules and regulations.
- Assists in corrective maintenance on all structural, mechanical, and electrical systems as directed by the supervisor.
- Monitors and records data from meters, gauges, control panels and any data acquisition systems (i.e., off-site notification systems); analyzes data and analyzes data for any needed adjustment to equipment or process. Assists in completing daily operational logs, maintenance logs, laboratory bench sheets, flow charts, inspection logs, and any other required record-keeping activities as may be assigned.
- Conducts maintenance/repair duties and/or janitorial duties including cleaning equipment and work areas, performs housekeeping and grounds keeping duties as needed or as directed by the supervisor.
- Maintains inventory of supplies as directed by the supervisor.
- Feeds chemicals such as polymer or chlorine.
- Available every other week for 24/7 call in at the wastewater plant including weekends and holidays as assigned by the supervisor.
- Arrives at assigned time, get along well with others, manages time efficiently, and promotes utility efficiency.
- Follows all safety rules and City of Sedalia’s regulations.
- Attends any classes on wastewater treatment and processing, as requested and funding allows.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School diploma or GED
- Must have a valid Missouri driver’s license.
- Some knowledge of standard practices, methods, tools, materials and equipment used in wastewater treatment activities.
- Some knowledge of safety standards and precautions connected with wastewater treatment.
- Some knowledge of sampling and sampling equipment.
Recommended
- Promotions may be based upon level of certification with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and experience. It is recommended that employees work towards progressive certification in the functional areas of wastewater treatment operator and collection systems.
Condition of Employment
- Must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and agree to be subject to random drug screen throughout employment.
- Must be able to obtain a D level wastewater certificate within 1 year of employment.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.
- Ability to work in confined spaces, hazardous traffic conditions or high/dangerous places.
- Ability to take wastewater samples and conduct routine laboratory tests.
- Knowledge of mathematics, basic chemistry, and microbiology.
- Ability to read meters and gauges and to record findings accurately.
- Knowledge of federal, state and local wastewater treatment guidelines and procedures.
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment plant and laboratory operations.
- Knowledge of lift or pump station operations.
- Knowledge of health and safety precautions and procedures associated with sewage treatment.
- Skill in calibrating, maintaining and reading various meters, including D.O. and pH.
- Skill in operating water pollution control equipment such as pumps, blowers, valves, mechanical bar screens, aeration equipment, mechanical mixers, cranes, UV disinfection system, automatic , samplers, laboratory sampling and testing equipment, .and automated control systems including SCADA.
- Skill in using basic tools such as packing tools, socket wrenches, power tools, and screwdrivers.
- Ability to recognize unusual conditions in the treatment plant or lift stations, including changes in the influent, make needed treatment changes or contact supervisor and keep records of all changes.
- Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
- Skill in using a computer including Excel and Word, oral and written communications.
Guidelines
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources rules & regulations, U.S. EPA rules & regulations, supervisory instructions, and established procedures for wastewater treatment.
- City and department policies and procedures
- Guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application
Complexity
The work consists of related wastewater treatment duties. Exposure to raw sewage, high-voltage equipment, and corrosive chemicals and the need to work in confined spaces contribute to the complexity of the work.
Principal Working Relationships
- Co-workers, other city employees
- Vendors and the general public
Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, motivate or influence persons, and clarify, justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters.
Supervisory and Management Responsibility
None.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- The employee occasionally lifts and carries light to heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.) and/or pushes and pulls up to 150 lbs., as required, climbs ladders, and must have clarity of vision including three-dimensional vision, ability to identify and distinguish color and precise hand-eye coordination. There may be periods of prolonged walking, sitting or standing.
- The employee must be able to feel attributes of objects, grasp, push, stand, walk, drive, reach with hands/arms, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, twist, climb/balance and reach both to ground level and overhead, and operate mechanical equipment.
- The employee is regularly required to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement.
- The employee may be exposed to noises including loud and machinery-related noises.
- The employee may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment as required for the assigned job duties. Some tasks may require use of a respirator.
Work Environment
The work is typically performed at a treatment facility, in an office and/or outdoors. The employee may be exposed to loud noise levels, dust, dirt, pollen, machinery with moving parts, wet/humid conditions, inclement weather, vibration, extreme temperatures (hot/cold), mechanical oils, airborne particles/fumes, risk of electrical shock associated with equipment and wiring, subject to areas of confined space or with poor lighting and ventilation; fumes and/or odor; potentially hazardous or cancer-causing agents/chemicals. The work requires the use of protective devices.