Treatment Operator Trainee

The City of Lake Worth Beach invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Water Treatment Operator Trainee.

Closing: Open Until Filled

This Full-Time position is Non-Exempt with an hourly pay range of $19.98 - $23.05. This position will work at Water Treatment Plant at 301 College Street, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460.

In addition, this position offers:

• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 14 Paid Holidays
• City of Lake Worth Beach Medical Benefits that include Life Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage
• Retirement Plan

SUMMARY:

This is an entry level position in water treatment plant operations. It requires twelve (12) months of training by a certified operator for a trainee to understand the fundamentals of water treatment plant operations.

This is an entry level / Training position in the operation of a water treatment plant on assigned shift. The water plant consists of a 12.9MGD Lime Softening Plant with 12 wells, 4.5 MGD Reverse Osmosis Plant with 3 Floridan well, one 4.05 MGD Deep Injection Well and 2 Booster Pumping Station. This position also provides training in maintenance and repair of treatment process and chemical feed equipment in the water treatment plant, wellfield, booster pumping stations and distribution system. This is moderately heavy labor position consisting of daily plant maintenance and skilled work in the water plant. The employee will assume the responsibility for the safe, efficient, environmentally acceptable operation and maintenance of water plant on an assigned shift.

The OPERATOR TRAINEE will be engaged in maintaining electrical, instrumentation equipment, mechanical equipment, buildings and grounds. The operator may participate in more complex maintenance and repair work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may be assigned.

Under the overseeing of certified treatment plant operator the trainee will be expected to learn water treatment operations when given oral or written instruction of how to operate a water plant. The trainee will be required to learn all aspects of operation such as, but not limited to, adjusting flows, backwashing filters, adjusting chemicals, performing basic laboratory tests, changing charts, reading electric and water meters in the wellfield, recording pertinent information in the daily log book, and performing housekeeping duties. The trainee will keep the certified operator informed of any mechanical or electrical defects that he may come in contact with. Assists in the collection of water samples, repairs of treatment process equipment and other shift operations. Performs other job duties in order to be familiar with all aspects of water treatment operation. The trainee would be required to work different shifts.

• Performs inspections of all mechanical and feed equipment.
• Maintains all pumps, electric, check valves, air compressors, vacuum pump primer, and related piping.
• Repairs and maintains lime slakers, polymer, chlorinator, ammoniator, acid, caustic and scale inhibitor feed systems
• Maintains clear and accurate records of repairs in maintenance logs and/or daily log sheets in accordance to regulations of Palm Beach County Health Department, and Department of Environmental Protection.
• Maintains inventory of supplies and repair parts and prepares justifications.
• Receives and follows directions given and/or procedures as outlined in Plant policy or other applicable rules, regulations and laws.
• Effectively operates and controls equipment within established procedures under most circumstances; to include emergency conditions.
• Technical and operational understanding of all water plant systems; to include electrical switchgear up to 480 volts.
• Learns to recognize readings which are not in line with equipment specifications and/or operating conditions and reports problems.
• Follows applicable rules, regulations, environmental, safety, City and Plant policies.
• Takes direction in performing the necessary manual operation and adjustments to start, stop and maintain proper startup, shutdown and operation of all water plant equipment.
• Receives deliveries and fills out appropriate reports as necessary.
• Understanding water chemistry and treatment.
• Checks chemical pumps for proper operation and changes chemical containers, when necessary.
• Performs general daily maintenance, cleaning, painting, etc. on water plant equipment; to include structures, offices, control rooms and other areas designated.
• Works with other water plant operators in the maintenance and repair of equipment.

NOTE

The examples of essential functions as listed in this classification specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

Basic knowledge of chemistry and mathematics as it relates to water treatment. Ability to learn methods and practices of modern water treatment operations. Ability to learn and understand the functions of basic water hydraulics of different types of pumps used in water treatment. Ability to learn water analysis and interpret their results. Ability to learn how to calculate dosages of chemicals and the metric unit of measurement used in the lab and in the field. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions under the direction of a certified operator.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Basic knowledge of lime softening equipment, tanks, piping, valves and the chemical properties of quicklime.
• Basic knowledge of Reverse Osmosis equipment, tanks, piping, valves and the chemical properties.
• Ability to safely handle chemical when working on feed equipment. Complete understanding of the dangers of working around chlorine, ammonia, Acid, Caustic and lime slaking equipment.
• Skilled in the use of mechanic's tools and shop equipment in the installation, repair and maintenance of water treatment plant equipment and related piping
• Ability to work from blueprints, pencil drawings, written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrates ability to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to work extended hours when required; to include nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work overtime; to include both scheduled and unscheduled, as needed and to report to work on a short notice in an emergency.
• Ability to perform high school level mathematical calculations.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints, procedures, technical manuals and other job related information.
• Ability to learn and understand lock out tag system, safety procedures, and environmental regulation.
• Demonstrates verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate verbally and written with all levels of plant personnel.
• Physically able to negotiate inclines and stairs.
• Physically able to operate valves requiring 50 fp torque and lift equipment weighing fifty (50) pounds.
• Maintains safe working shoes, as determined by current policy.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently utilize computers, including basic Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook (e-mail, calendaring), Word and Excel.
• Ability to explain technical practices and procedures in simple, non-technical language.

Supervisory Responsibilities Qualifications

None.

Education and/or Experience

Graduation from a recognized high school or possession of a recognized equivalent certification. A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Must have worked in a water treatment plant with a minimum of one (1) year of experience as either a water, wastewater treatment plant mechanic or operator.

Must have passing “C” level State Exam

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Graduation from a recognized high school or possession of a recognized equivalent certification. Some experience in mechanical, electrical, laboratory work. Math skills preferred.

A valid Florida driver’s license.

Must have attained a valid Class “C” Florida Water Treatment Operators License by the end of a two (2) year training period.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend related technical information and documents. Respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Effectively present information to management and/or the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

To calculate figures and amount such as dosages, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office (email, Excel and Word programs).

HTE knowledge desirable.

Physical Demands

This can be heavy work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, and feeling; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts.

The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic, caustic and dangerous chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. High level noise requiring hearing protection periodically.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.