Job Progression - Wastewater Treatment Operator - Senior

Salary : $79,976.00 - $101,379.20 Annually
Location : Seattle - Regional area, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2023-20398
Department: DNRP-Natural Resources & Parks
Division:Wastewater Treatment
Opening Date: 11/13/2023
Closing Date: 11/30/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: A2 : SEIU L925-Wastewater
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Summary
This is aninternal opening for current employees in the Wastewater Treatment Division in the Wastewater Treatment Operator job classification only. This posting will be used to facilitate annual Job Progression for Wastewater, S.E.I.U., Local 925 - Wastewater Treatment Operator to progress to Wastewater Treatment Operator - Senior at their current Treatment Plant location and supervision.
Our Wastewater Treatment Operator - Senior serves in a lead capacity in a work group responsible for operating, monitoring, troubleshooting and maintaining equipment, systems and processes in wastewater facilities. Responsibilities include coordinating, training and providing technical expertise to other Wastewater Treatment operations staff and coordinating on-site responses to unusual occurrences and emergencies and may fill in for the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.
Article 15.3 - Eligibility Progression Criteria Requirements:

• Successfully passed probation.
• The candidate possesses the certification and licenses required at the classification level.
• The candidate has completed the required training.
• The candidate has achieved an above standard rating (3.6667 to 4.333) or higher on their last performance evaluations or probationary evaluation; and has successfully completed any/all formal performance improvement plans.
• The candidate has sufficient experience at the established level in critical areas and under the critical circumstance to demonstrate competent performance and the higher-level classifications.
• The candidate has passed, at the established level, any required knowledge skills, general competency and/or specific technical proficiency tests.
• The candidate has been free of discipline for a minimum of one year and all disciplinary issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the review board.
• Required work portfolio elements.
• Required Signoffs.

Job Duties

• Serve in a lead capacity to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain Wastewater Treatment facilities, odor control equipment, biological, chemical, mechanical and hydraulic processes. Provide advanced level troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, particularly in on-site, unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations. Recommend and/or determine changes to wastewater process to meet federal and Washington State permits and regulations and to optimize plant performance. Provide broad, in-depth on-the-job training to other wastewater operations staff. Assist the supervisor in performance feedback and evaluation of staff.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate and perform maintenance for assigned wastewater facilities, systems and processes. Coordinate and perform on-site response to unusual occurrences and emergencies.
• Serve as technical resource to the other staff, the general public and external agencies.
• Operate, monitor and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems.
• Assume the full operational responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor in the absence of the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Certification Requirement: Washington State Group III, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

• Advanced knowledge and skill in plant-wide gas, disinfection and chemical feed systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, odor control, electrical, water, air and hydraulic systems.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in major components, causes for alarms, remote monitoring and control system for the equipment and systems in the preliminary, primary and secondary solids handling, odor control and collection /conveyance systems.
• Skill in providing in-depth training to staff on facility equipment and systems.
• Knowledge and skills in operating complex computer control systems and in managing written and/or computerized information systems including logs, reports, laboratory and process data, work requests and timekeeping responsibilities.
• Knowledge of leadership techniques and principles.
• Skill in creating a positive, professional team environment, including the business planning process, the establishment of standards and feedback, communication, conflict resolution, effective team meetings, problem-solving, decision-making and facilitation.
• Advanced skill in the application of safety policies, procedures and practices
• Skill in interpreting and applying technical information from plant drawings, technical data sheets, operations and maintenance manuals and laboratory test results.
• Skill in operating specialized portable and stationary equipment such as boom trucks, forklifts, generator trucks, steam cleaners, mobile pumping units and overhead cranes.
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors, heat and high noise levels.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.

Required Supplemental Materials to be reviewed by the Job Progression Promotion Review Board:

• Pertinent copies of your licenses, certifications and training records.
• Supervisor support/endorsement form.
• A portfolio or Job Progression book showing examples of your advanced level of proficiency and skill in plant-wide gas, disinfection and chemical feed systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, odor control, electrical, water, air and hydraulic systems. Advanced skill in major components, causes for alarms, remote monitoring and control systems for the equipment and systems in the preliminary, primary and secondary solids handling, odor control and collection / conveyance systems. Demonstrated skill in providing in-depth training to staff on facility equipment and systems, advance skill in the application of safety policies, procedure and practices, skills in operating complex computer control systems and in managing written and/or computerized information systems including logs, reports, laboratory and process data, work requests and timekeeping responsibilities. Skill in operating specialized portable and station equipment such as boom trucks, forklifts, generator trucks, steam cleaners, mobile pumping units and overhead cranes. Skill in interpreting and applying technical information from plant drawings, technical data sheets, operations and maintenance manuals and laboratory tests. Demonstrated leadership and readiness to be considered for progression to Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator.
• A list of employees who can verify your work, technical expertise and leadership in the work examples that you have identified. These employees will be surveyed by WTD-HR and asked to rate your performance, technical expertise and leadership in the situations that you identified.

What to Expect - Job Progression Promotion Review Board
Part 1 - Written Test, Interviews, Demonstrations/Working Tests, Review Portfolio (including feedback from others on tasks).
Part 2 - Trial Service Period - those recommended for progression to Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator by the Job Progression Promotion Review Board must successfully complete a 6-months Trial Service Period, at the employee's same site location/crew.
Working Conditions / Location: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite; this is not a telework position. The location will be your current worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Work Schedule: This position is non-exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. This full-time position works a rotating shift schedule, 2 11.7 days shifts followed by 2 11.7 night shifts, or a 4 x 10 days shift.
Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U., Wastewater Local 925.
Application Instructions:
Please submit your completed Supplemental Materials (Portfolio) to Angela Dickson or your Administrator I at your respective treatment plants, by December 15, 2023.
Application and Selection Process: Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County Application via NEOGOV
• Supplemental Materials (Portfolio)
• Supervisor support/endorsement letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, if you have questions related to this recruitment process, please contact at Diana Eberly at
Supplemental Information
WHO ARE WE?
WTD is committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.
About the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD): WTD protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. WTD includes about 800 employees across multiple facilities and serves 1.5 million people. To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to another generation that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency.
To learn more about the Wastewater Treatment Division click on the below links:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/wtd/About.aspx
WHY IT'S WORTH TAKING A SECOND LOOK AT WORKING FOR KING COUNTY:
http://kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers/why-work-here.aspx
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
To learn more, please visit:
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