Wastewater Treatment/Compost Operator Apprentice

The Wastewater Treatment/Compost Operator Apprentice position will start no earlier than January 2024.

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs the administrative tasks and physical labor related to the oversight, operations, and supervision of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and/or Compost Facility. The City of Port Townsend strives to provide quality and reliable infrastructure operations in service to the community and environment as the City looks toward a sustainable future.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with team members to operate and maintain the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant and/or Compost Facility in full compliance with our current permits
• Participates in safe operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and/or Compost Facility to protect public health and the environment and maintain compliance with the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act
• Collects, compiles, and interprets monthly data provided to US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Ecology, and regional air pollution authority to demonstrate compliance with plant permit and discharge requirements
• Implements policies and procedures for proper operations of wastewater primary, secondary, and solids handling facilities
• Collects, compiles, and interprets operational data and makes operational adjustments when needed
• Performs routine facility maintenance of wastewater utility facilities, buildings, telemetry, SCADA, mechanical, and electrical equipment
• Performs work in credited laboratory including testing various water quality parameters to facilitate reporting and operations of the wastewater treatment works
• Maintains grounds and facilities in a clean, safe, and efficient manner
• Performs repairs to mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems and equipment
• Maintain City sewer lift stations
• Works with wastewater collections crew in support of operating the City's collection system
• Works together as a team to ensure compliance with US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Ecology, Jefferson County Health Dept, and regional air pollution authority to demonstrate compliance with plant permit and discharge requirements.
• Other duties as assigned
• Provides essential services as a front-line worker
• Works well in a team
• Shows the ability to effectively interact with the public
• Demonstrates safe work practices
• Supports cross-team functionality and collaboration

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Washington State driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier
• Certified Compost Facility Operator certification issued by Washington Organics Recycling Council or must obtain within 3 years of employment in this position
• First Aid/CPR certification or must obtain within 1 year of employment
• Flagger Training Certification within the first 6 months in this position

Preferred

• WA State Class A CDL
• Current First Aid/CPR Certificate
• Current Flagger Training Certificate

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires being onsite and working in the field primarily outdoors during all types of weather; repeated walking, bending, stooping, and lifting; the ability to occasionally lift up to 60 lbs.; vision and hearing at level required to perform essential functions (may be corrected); a full range of motor skills; and occasionally having to enter confined spaces using all necessary PPE to perform maintenance or repairs.

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.

COMPENSATION

2024 base pay range: $25.61-29.09 hourly

2024 total pay range: $25.61-32.58 (including maximum potential longevity pay)

This position may be eligible for the additional compensation listed below. Details can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement:

• Longevity pay on a graduated schedule starting at 2% after 5 years up to 12% after 25 years
• Remote plant operations pay
• Two-hour response pay
• Phone-watch pay
• Overtime pay
• Compensatory time
• Jury duty pay at regular rate during service
• Call-back pay
• Stand-by pay
• Mandatory safety shoe allowance
• Prescription safety glasses allowance, if required for job

BENEFITS

• WA State PERS retirement and optional 457 Deferred Comp
• Teamsters pension *
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance through WA Teamsters Welfare Trust Fund *
• Time loss/short-term disability insurance
• Life & AD&D insurance
• Sick leave (earns 1 day per month)
• May be eligible for sick leave conversion annually
• Vacation (graduated accrual schedule starts at 8 hours per month)
• 12 paid holidays
• Eligible for up to 3 floating holidays based on years of service starting in second year
• Up to 5 days of bereavement leave, if applicable
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

* Teamsters initiation fee is $100 and monthly dues are 2.25 of hourly wage x the base hourly rate rounded to the nearest dollar.

The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines, and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly based on job-related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Thisjob description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors.

Thisjob description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and the requirements of the job change.