Relief Operator - Wastewater

Job Description

The City of Appleton Department of Utilities has an opening for a Relief Operator. This is a skilled technical position responsible for supporting a wide variety of day-to-day operations and maintenance activities at the wastewater treatment plant. Work involves a full range of process support duties along with coordinating operational tasks to accommodate maintenance activities. The Relief Operator is required to fill in for wastewater operator positions and provide laboratory support. The incumbent is expected to perform with a comparable level of independence and judgment and within departmental procedures and regulatory rules to maintain compliance with the facility's Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit. This position reports to the Wastewater Operations Supervisor.

Examples of Duties

Essential Job Functions

• Fills in during the absence of scheduled operating personnel: Liquids Operators, Solids Operators, and Laboratory Technicians; assuming core functions of these positions.

• Monitors for and identifies equipment malfunctions and initiates work requests. Safely starts, stops and isolates treatment processes and equipment.

• Makes process and maintenance observations and maintains accurate benchsheets, worksheets, records, requests, and reports.

• Completes chronological log and communicates relevant information to operations, maintenance and laboratory staff.

• Compiles and enters computer data from system monitoring activities using standard and process specific software.

• Requires working shifts, weekends, and holidays on a non-routine basis.

• Monitors function of equipment and processes as necessitated.

• Completes preventative maintenance on process equipment and chemical delivery systems by taking them out of service, facilitating maintenance, and returning to service.

• Works collaboratively with operations, electricians, and mechanical systems technicians to resolve equipment malfunctions, make modifications or initiate improvements.

• Performs sampling and analytical testing at various stages of wastewater treatment as assigned.

• Maintains written and electronic logs and activities including initiating corrective work requests and records.

• Operates payloader and loads trucks, produces scale records, and monitors approved sites for application limits and for material tracking.

• Enters areas of facility and sewer system structures designated as "confined space" per CFR 1910.146.

• Receives and handles raw material deliveries including industrial treatment chemicals.

• Provide assistance to mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical staff in corrective maintenance of equipment and systems.

• General operational duties including process investigations, custodial duties, and snow removal at wastewater facilities.

• Maintains regular punctual and predictable attendance, works overtime and extra hours as required.

Other Job Functions

• Performs off-site soil testing and compost monitoring; maintains field data logs on biosolids compost as assigned and communicates compost process status with the Biosolids Coordinator.

• Maintains clean work area as well as associated equipment.

• Monitors utility related supplies, initiates purchase order requests to maintain adequate inventories.

• Maintains outside facility walkways by removing snow, ice and miscellaneous debris.

• Performs safety inspections, inventories safety equipment, and completes reports.

Typical Qualifications

• Post-secondary education or training in wastewater treatment technology.

• Possession or the ability to obtain WDNR Advanced Wastewater Operator certification (certification subgrades A1, B, C, D, L, P, SS) preferred within 48 months of employment and maintain the certificate when employed.

• Three to five years of operating experience in a wastewater treatment facility, manufacturing environment, industrial maintenance environment or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training desired.

• A valid Wisconsin driver license

• Experience with wastewater treatment plant operations and processes.

• State and Federal regulation governing operation of wastewater treatment plants.

• Knowledge of mechanical systems including large capacity pumps, engines, drives, and control mechanisms.

• Exercise independent judgment based on available information when necessary.

• Read engineering drawing and utilize operations and maintenance manuals.

• Increase unit performance with arithmetic calculations to determine process flow, loadings, and chemical dosing set points.

• Perform analytical procedures according to method protocols and quality control standards.

• Use computer interfaces including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and reporting software to enter data, produce records and develop reports.

• Understand and follow oral or written instructions.

• React promptly and efficiently in emergencies.

• Maintain effective relations with other employees and deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.

• Withstand various weather conditions, fumes, odors, and dust generally associated with wastewater treatment processes.

• Perform tasks which require frequent standing, climbing, reaching, squatting, bending, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying.

• Safely operate hand-trucks, forklifts, man-lifts, payloader, and similar equipment.

• Perform all duties in a safe manner consistent with department and city safety policies and procedures.

• Follow confined space entry procedures.

• Use a variety of personal protective equipment effectively, including respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus.

Supplemental Information

Competencies

Customer Focus

Adaptability/Flexibility

Technical Skills

Communication

Positive Attitude

To learn more about these competencies click here