Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator

Under general supervision, performs responsible supervisory and technical work in the operation of the City's water treatment plant (electro-dialysis reversal (EDR) and conventional treatment) equipment to ensure distribution of safe, potable drinking water to the City. Operators work 12 hour shifts alternating between days / nights, and may be placed on-call as needed. Work involves operating the water treatment plant on a daily basis, periodically checking the water pumps, feed systems and tank levels, and making changes as necessary; calculating chemical feed dosages; and reading various charts, graphs, gauges and meters to ensure water quality and water flow. Employee is also responsible for handling calls for water and sewer emergencies after hours; supervising and training plant operators. Reports to the Assistant Water Production Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

• Inspects and monitors water treatment plant equipment and machinery to determine that all machinery is operating properly and to ensure preparation of potable drinking water for distribution to City; takes samples of water at various stages of treatment processes in the EDR and surface water plant, conducts routine laboratory analysis to determine effectiveness of treatment procedures and records results; on the basis of test results, adjusts plant equipment such as flocculators, metering pumps, high rate/multi-media filters, chemical feeders, screens and related equipment.

• Monitors the EDR plant to maintain proper pressure/flow rates required in the manufacturers specifications and to notify plant maintenance and management should significant deviations exist.

• Monitors and regulates tank levels, flows and pressures within the water distribution system and throughout the plant, and makes adjustments to controlling machinery and instruments as necessary; monitors levels of surface water reservoirs and records findings.

• Maintains records of plant operations and prepares periodic reports for submission to supervisors or others as required or requested, or as otherwise deemed appropriate.

• Supervises and trains plant operators on duty (Water Treatment Plant Operator I's and Water Treatment Plant Operator II's) instructing and advising operators on operating policies and procedures, safety procedures, water quality standards, etc.; assigns and supervises activities of subordinate plant operators on an assigned shift; completes performance appraisals of subordinate plant operators.

• Monitors chlorine residuals at community well systems, and notifies Plant and Quality Control management of problems and/or deviations from standard levels.

• Utilizes plant computer system to monitor and operate the plant. Enters technical data on operations for completion of monthly reports required by state agencies.

• Monitors/maintains inventory of supplies of chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, carbon, sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate, corrosion inhibitor, polymer and various other chemicals; transports chemicals to proper feed points, filling and/or positioning tanks; and performs quality assurance tests for bulk chemicals.

• Performs minor repair and maintenance of plant equipment; submits work orders for equipment repairs.

• Monitors sewage pump station and well alarm systems.

• Acts as contact with the general public in emergency situations involving water distribution or sewer functions after hours and on holidays.

• Collects information from general public, evaluates the emergency situations and dispatches the appropriate employees.

• Performs routine custodial duties in various areas of plant, as necessary.

• Receives deliveries of materials and supplies, logging deliveries and overseeing proper storage of such items.

• Responds to after-hours calls in cases of problems or disruptions in water distribution or collection, customer complaints, natural or manmade disasters affecting plant operations, etc.

• Leads tours of treatment plant and answers inquiries pertaining to plant operations, procedures and programs. Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or closely related area and 5 years professional level water treatment plant operation or closely related experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks Operators. Requires a valid driver's license.

• Knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water treatment and pumping plant equipment and machinery.

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities.

• Knowledge of the mechanical maintenance and lubrication requirements of the equipment operated.

• Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the treatment of water for distribution as drinking water.

• Knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment.

• Knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment.

• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.

• Knowledge of EDR system and conventional water treatment operations.

• Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the fields of water treatment and water treatment plant operation.

• Ability to recognize breakdowns in water treatment plant equipment.

• Ability to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures. Ability to make minor repairs of equipment operated.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment based on training and experience in making decisions and coordinating the proper operation of equipment.

• Ability to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water treatment equipment, chemical feed systems and other related equipment.

• Ability to secure the requisite operator's certificate as required by work assignments. Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.

• Ability to assign, supervise, instruct and advise subordinates.

• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.

• Ability to make oral presentations before groups of people.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

• Ability to summarize, tabulate, or format data or information in accordance with a prescribed schema or plan, to facilitate the identification and extraction of useful information.

• Ability to give information, guidance, or assistance to people which directly facilitates task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.

• Ability to assist with achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials and supplies.

• Ability to use mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions.

• Ability to read technical instructions and procedures manuals to solve practical problems such as assembly instruction for tools and routine office equipment operating instructions; composes routine and specialized reports and forms with proper format.

• Ability to make frequent decisions, affecting the individual, co-workers, and others whom depend on the service or product.

• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem solving; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.

• Ability to make moderately serious impact decisions- may affect citizens.

• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

• Ability to adapt and perform under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.