Environmental Systems Operator Trainee

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Aiken, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Engineering & Utilities
Division: Water Plant
Opening Date: 12/19/2023
Closing Date: 1/5/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
The City of Aiken is accepting applications for Environmental Systems Operator Trainees to join our Engineering & Utilities Department in the Water Plant.
Examples of Duties

• Learn and collect daily, weekly, and monthly water samples; performs tests for bacteria sampling, pH, chlorine, turbidity, and alkalinity and hardness; records results in log
• Learn how to maintain records, logs, and files for water production, power usage, chemical dosages, bacteria and turbidity reports, and filter washing
• Learn how to run tests for water purification testing including pH, chlorine, fluoride, turbidity, bacteria, and confirmation of coliform and e-coli bacteria
• Learn and assist in maintenance of main plant, Shiloh Springs, Pine Log, Town Creek, Silver Bluff, and The Vale to ensures proper pressure, flows, pH, chlorine, and fluoride; ensures proper pump maintenance is performed and recorded
• Learn and assist operator in start-up, and shut down, regulation and adjustments of motors, pumps, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions
• Learn proper way of loading chemicals and adjust chemical feed rates as conditions warrant
• Learn and assists in maintaining plant waste discharge at proper levels
• Learn how to maintain plant security at all times
• Learns and assists operators in ensuring plant compliance with City/Department policies and procedures, SC DHEC regulations, and all other applicable laws, regulations, and standards of quality and safety
• Learn and perform routine maintenance on CL-10 chlorine analyzers, laser turbs, pH meters, fluoride and hardness meters
• Learn and provide support for Water Distribution, engineers, and contractors to include system repairs, isolation, flushing, customer notification, and use of GIS system
• Gain knowledge of an operating SCADA System
• Learn and assist operators and maintenance tech in maintenance of pumps and motors; greases and oils; maintains and repairs equipment
• Responds with operator to learn how to deal with public and customer complaints

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid state driver's license and a satisfactory motor vehicle record
• Oral and written communication ability equivalent to that normally acquired through a high school education is required
• Two to three years' experience is necessary to gain knowledge of equipment operation and maintenance requirements, state and federal regulations, and plant processes and procedures
• Ability to run chemical tests and analyze results
• Interpersonal skills necessary to be courteous of fellow employees, citizens, and businesses while technical duties
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 60% of the work day
• Acquire a Level E, D, and C level Water Treatment Certification to become Environmental Systems Operator, and maintain with CEUs
• Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Certification
• Incumbent is required to work varying shifts as needed

Supplemental Information
This position is subject to a criminal background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. The City of Aiken is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace.
Full-time Benefits include:
Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance, life insurance (5x salary), flex health spending account, short term disability, an employee wellness program, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, paid parental leave, participation in a Defined Contribution 401(a) Retirement Plan, and South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program.
Paid Holidays include:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Employee's Birthday
• Floating holiday (must be on payroll prior to January 1st )

Retirement
Full-time employees participate in the Defined Contribution 401(a) Retirement Plan. After one year of employment, the employee will begin contributing 6% to the Plan, with the City making a matching 6% contribution. Employees are fully vested after 5 years of service.