Water Plant Operator

Salary : $51,230.40 - $67,620.80 Annually
Location : Wausau, WI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 202300380
Department: Public Works & Utilities
Division: Drinking Water Division
Opening Date: 12/15/2023
Closing Date: 1/7/2024 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Purpose of the Position
The Water Plant Operator performs skilled work involving operation of SCADA, wells, water treatment, water sampling and lab testing, and drinking water storage systems for the production and distribution of the city's drinking water supply. This position performs water sampling and lab testing of raw and finished water to ensure the safe and efficient supply of drinking water to the community and is responsible for meeting all USEPA and WDNR drinking water requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Operates and maintains Water Plant to comply with all EPA and WDNR regulations and water quality standards. Performs Standby as assigned to assure plant operations are sustained.
2. Operates supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment to monitor and manage the City's water system by controlling booster stations, wells, water pressures, control valves, pumping stations, and other water transmission and distribution facilities to meet system demands, to control water levels in reservoirs, and at other critical points throughout the water system.
3. Maintains and operates pumps, valves, electric motors, and related equipment; responds to SCADA alarms such as intrusions into water tanks, intrusions into electrical panels, failed pumps, and failed motors.
4. Assists maintenance personnel and contractors in the servicing, maintenance, repair, and upgrading of equipment, electrical and electronic devices, machinery, and related appurtenances; inspects, maintains, and cleans water facilities; backwashes filters and cleans sludge tanks; cleans and inspects plant equipment to ensure proper functioning to minimize interruptions in water production; troubleshoots, diagnoses, and corrects control system malfunctions by resetting relays and adjusting other controls and components.
5. Calculates chemical feed and dosages and adjusts as necessary; monitors chemical inventories and usage; adds proper dosage of chemicals and other substances to ensure water is safe for consumption; monitors chemical levels and orders supply as required; receives chemical deliveries and offload chemicals; runs lab tests, performs daily volumetrics, monitors regenerations, and maintains plant components.
6. Oversees third party contractors; travels to and provides contractor access to various sites; accompanies contractors to inspect and ensure their work is performed correctly; ensures contractors wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), follow proper traffic control procedures, and are working safely per City guidelines; schedules appointments and meets with contractors to obtain quotes; shuts down and re-opens lines and systems as needed by contractors.
7. Responds to inquiries from customers regarding water pressure, water quality, and related matters; conducts tours of water facilities.
8. Performs a variety of custodial and groundskeeping duties to ensure facilities are maintained in clean, orderly, and safe condition; performs duties in confined spaces, utilizing departmental safety equipment and following City policies and procedures; reads gauges, meters, charts, and graphs.
9. Monitors historical trend data and weather patterns to estimate future water distribution demands and to address any abnormalities; makes mathematical calculations of water quantity stored in reservoirs and flows in and out of pumping facilities.
10. Performs chemical and bacteriological tests on raw and treated water. Draw samples for quality control and compliance monitoring. Collects samples and inspects and tests overall quality of raw, partially treated, and treated water by using various types of laboratory test equipment; conducts sample distribution checks for daily, weekly, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual constituents; checks chlorine and turbidity levels at plant; submits samples to outside laboratories for analysis.
11. Operates an ion exchange water treatment plant; runs tests, monitors regenerations, receives salt deliveries, and maintains plant components; uses salt to recharge and clean out system dirt and resins.
12. Maintains a variety of records, logbook entries, and reports. Maintains and submits reports for US EPA and WI DNR.
13. Coordinates work with outside agencies, including other municipalities.
14. Complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
15. Operates and maintains a Granular Activated Carbon treatment System for the removal of PFAS and related contaminates. Performs operations and testing to maintain WDNR and US EPA compliance.
16. Orders, receives, and maintains inventories for all chemicals used in the treatment process, lab, and facility. Maintains associated material safety data records.
17. Maintains facility eyewash and fire extinguisher programs.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs duties of "Operator in Charge" as designated by WI DNR
• Performs tasks of Water Distribution Maintainer when necessary
• Performs tasks of Water Plant Operations Technician when necessary
• Performs other related work, duties, tasks, and projects as assigned by the Water Operations Superintendent or his/her designee.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience Requirements

• Associate's degree in Water Quality Technology, Environmental Engineering, or related field, and
• Two (2) or more years of experience in water treatment at a water treatment facility, and
• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Wisconsin.

A combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications

• Education and/or experience with computers, SCADA, process and control, electrical and mechanical systems, laboratory, and reporting.
• Experience in surface water treatment practices and requirements related to GWUDI.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of safe and efficient operation of facility equipment, pumps, electrical motors, generators, SCADA, and process control systems.
• Familiar with and use appropriate PPE for working with hazardous chemicals.
• Knowledge of the proper methods, tools, materials, and equipment used for water utilities and repairs.
• Availability to be on 24-hour call to respond to emergencies. Must be able to report to job within a reasonable time in such instances.
• Ability to problem solve and exercise good judgement.
• Ability to analyze inventory, data and information using established criteria, to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort, as well as assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, organize and categorize data.
• Ability to add and subtract, multiply, and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, tastes, and odors associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks.
• Ability to follow directions, and complete work assignments by deadlines.
• Ability to organize data, records, and reference materials in both electronic and hard copy format.
• Ability to work and interact with employees and citizens in accordance with the City's Core Values.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with Department personnel, City committee members, the public, and other City Department personnel.

Physical and Working Environment
Employee performs standard activities requiring physical effort. The duties of the job include physical activities such as stooping, kneeling, standing, walking, lifting (lift and carry objects weighing 60 pounds or less, and push or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds), fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening (perceiving sounds in order to understand signals such as spoken directions, warning alarms, or requests for information), seeing/observing, bending/twisting (of the neck, back, or torso in order to reach, lift, tend machines, move materials, etc.), reaching (extending the hands or arms in any direction in order to push, pull, or grasp an object or control), feeling (using the sense of touch in fingers, hands, or other body parts to sense the position or quality of objects) and climbing (ascending or descending steps, stairs, ladders, scaffolding, or machines). Specific vision abilities required include close, distance, and peripheral vision; depth perception; the ability to adjust focus; and distinguish objects clearly at 20 inches or less with glasses, if needed.
The employee may be exposed to disagreeable elements of high and low outdoor temperatures. The employee may be exposed to repetitive activities; intense or continuous noise; dirty environment; improper illumination; chemical hazards, and air contamination. The use of personal protection equipment (PPE) may be required, as there is significant exposure to hazards and conditions where there is a possible danger to life, health, or bodily injury, which may include mechanical, electrical, air contaminations, and heights. May be required to work in a physically confined worksite with cramped, small, or restricted workplace making it difficult to stand, sit, or walk.
May be exposed to moderate environmental conditions that impact physical comfort such as poor ventilation and temperature extremes. May require specialized clothing or use of common personal protective equipment. Close mental and visual attention is continuously required. Moderate physical demands typically found in trades work with moderate exposure to workplace hazards. Requires regular lifting, bending, twisting, turning, and use of power equipment.
Additional Information
IMPORTANT! All applications must completely filled out and have a Resume attached in the "Attachments" section of the application. Applications that are not complete and do not have the required attachment will not be considered.
When completing References section, include 3 professional references with current and valid email addresses. References will not be contacted unless a conditional offer of employment is extended and accepted.
ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• Starting hourly rate of $24.63 or higher DOQ
• Regular Schedule 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Must be available 24/7 to respond to emergencies
• Excellent benefits package! Our Employee Handbook and Benefits Guide can be found at the following link:

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:The City of Wausau will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Human Resources Department or phone (715) 261-6630 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant's application, records, recommendations and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the City not provide access to this information.
If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Human Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law.
ADDITIONAL NOTICES:
The City of Wausau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The City of Wausau offers competitive salaries and a range of excellent benefits for Full-Time General (Non-Represented) Employees:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending for Health and Dependent Care
• Annual Biometric Health Screenings - free to employees under the health plan
• Optional Life Insurance
• Optional Long Term Disability Insurance
• Optional Critical Illness Insurance
• Optional Accident Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
• Employee Assistance Program - Available to all employees and family members at no cost to the employee
• 10 Paid Holidays Off include: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve Day.
• Paid Leaves
  • Vacation accrual starts at 4.6154 bi-weekly for a total of 15 days annually! Vacation accrual increases at 5, 10, and 15 years of service. New employees may borrow up to half of their annual vacation accrual amount during the first six months of employment.
  • 3 Personal Holidays upon hire and every January
  • Perfect Attendance
  • Sick Leave accrual bi-weekly at 3.6923 hours with a maximum accrual of 1,064 hours that never expires.

01
What is the highest level of education that you have received?

• Some High School
• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Skills Certificate/Technical Diploma
• Some College/No Degree
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02
If you are a college graduate, list degree with area of study.
03
Please list any job-related certifications or licenses that your currently possess.
04
How many years of experience in water treatment at a water treatment facility do you currently possess?

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 2 year
• More than 2 years but less t...