Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Assistant Water/Wastewater Operator REPORTS TO: Certified Water/Wastewater Department Head

DEPARTMENT: Water & Sewer Department FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SALARY RANGE: Probation (per current CBA) UNION STATUS: Teamsters Local No. 839

Per current Collective Bargaining Agreement

SUPERVISES: N/A

GENERAL PURPOSE:

This position assists in the safe operation, quality, maintenance, and collection of waste effluent of the Benton City sewer systems and the Benton City water system. Position assists with City compliance of the Washington State Department of Health Drinking Water and Department of Ecology regulations. Assistant Water/Water operator will assist with preparing reports for submission to government entities. Work is performed under the direction of the Certified Water/Wastewater Department Head, who will evaluate the assistant’s work for performance and accuracy. The Assistant Water Waste/water Operator will be required to be available for “on call” situations as directed by supervisor.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

· Assists with all elements of daily operation and maintenance of the water system are completed in accordance with accepted public health practices.

· Helps perform water quality monitoring and helps with laboratory testing for pH levels, hardness, alkalinity, chlorine residual, microscopic examination and other monitoring duties as required by supervisor.

· Determines remedial actions in emergencies and clears remedial actions with supervisor.

· Assists with preventative maintenance programs, inspecting treatment operations and other system components for malfunctions and/or needed repairs.

· Assists with water equipment, electric pumps, control panels, chlorinators, electric motors, telemetry system and other pumping station equipment operation, repairs and maintenance.

· Helps with analyzing recording instrument readings and with laboratory tests; determining sites and causes of any malfunctions and adjusting various treatment processes or other system components accordingly.

· Makes recommendations, when warranted, to shut off water services from source where and when the Benton City water system is at risk of contamination.

· Assist with system contamination concerns including isolation, flushing and sample gathering and analysis of samples.

· Helps to prepare reports.

· As required by supervisor, to attend meetings with State, Federal and local agencies, and work with groups to keep current on regulations and to educate Benton City water users regarding regulations.

· Assists with Washington State’s “Call Before You Dig” program by locating and marking city water and sewer lines.

· Assists with compliance of City cross-connection control program.

· Helps to collect water samples as required by the State Dept. of Health and submit samples to the local Health Dept. for testing.

· Helps with maintaining records of all activities related to the technical operation of the Benton City water system.

· Helps with responding to and investigating public complaints and concerns regarding water quality, pressure, taste and odor. Helps by consulting with Water/Utility customers by phone, at business or at residence and taking samples if necessary. Provides information regarding sample’s water quality characteristics to utility/water customers.

· Assists with maintaining certifiable Wastewater Treatment Plant by providing monitoring, testing, and other operational under the direction of the department head.

· Assists with maintaining all lab equipment and supplies required to maintain regulated compliance.

· Assists with maintaining all NPDES compliance monitoring and sampling as required by the discharge permit.

· Assists with maintaining the lagoon levels in accordance with the Operation and Maintenance Manual for the facility to provide adequate volume for influent flow.

· Assists with managing and maintaining the effluent discharge to the Yakima River and compliance of all required monitoring and sampling.

· Helps by communicating with Benton City personnel concerning any maintenance items which the water/sewer department needs additional help, such as pumps, piping and electrical problems that might occur.

· Communicates with supervisor concerning operations and maintenance needs and recommendations.

· Assists with maintaining the Quality Assurance and Quality Control testing as required by the NPDES permit.

· Helps by assisting with the operation and maintenance items for the facility.

· Perform related duties as assigned by the department head.

· This list is of an illustrative nature only and is not intended to specify every duty and job responsibility.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Requires a minimum educational level of High School graduation or G.E.D. equivalence; College courses in related fields are desirable. The ability to read and write the English language.

· Valid Washington State Driver’s License.

· Possess or acquire Washington State Water Distribution Manager level 1 certification within 12 months of hire and level 2 certification within 24 months of hire.

· Possess or acquire Cross-Connection Specialist certification from Department of Health within 6 months of hire.

· Possess or acquire Wastewater Treatment Plant operator level 1certification with 12 months of hire and level 2 with 30 months of hire.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

· Perform basic math, write legibly, and follow printed instructions.

· Prioritize, plan, organize and work independently with minimal supervision.

· Meet schedules and timelines and maintain records and assist with preparing reports as required.

· Understand and apply written and oral instructions.

· Average or better hearing ability.

· Operate testing equipment as required.

· Recognize differences in colors to assure safety requirements.

· Observe legal and defensive driving practices.

· Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

· Work outdoors in adverse weather.

· Be available and respond on 24-hour on-call for emergency situations when required.

· Work courteously, tactfully, and cooperative with customers and City employees.

· The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

· The ability to make independent decisions in emergency situations when supervisor, mayor or mayor pro-tem cannot be contacted.

· Knowledge of Department of Labor & Industries Safety Standards and ability to follow them consistently.

· Must possess mechanical ability, ability to operate hand tools, and ability to learn operation of all equipment.

· Ability to perform strenuous physical labor, under adverse circumstances.

· Must be bondable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to reach with hands and arms. Employees are frequently required to stand, walk; and use hands and finger to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. Employees are occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Employees must frequently lift and or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both in the Wastewater Treatment Plant lab and in the field. Field environments conditions will vary. Employees will often work outside in all weather conditions. Employees occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and are occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions and vibrations. Job requires compliance with safety and protective measures while working in conditions: in precarious places, when exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock or any condition where non-compliance of safety or health standards may put employee at risk of injury or illness.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; pre-employment drug tests may be required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Benton City, WA 99320: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person