Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III

MINIMUM CLASS REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or GED and must possess a Washington State Department of Ecology Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group III certificate or equivalent, with at least twenty-four (24) months of experience as an operator in a wastewater treatment plant at the time of application.   Operating experience at the Yakima Wastewater Treatment Plant is preferred.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possess a Washington State Department of Ecology Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group III certificate or equivalent at time of application. Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License possession of a Class A CDL license with air brake endorsement is preferred. Possess or obtain a Basic First Aid Certificate within six (6) months of appointment.

Under limited supervision operates and maintains a wastewater treatment plant and associated sanitary, industrial, and storm water pumping stations.

Performs and/or directs operational and maintenance duties required to maintain effective preliminary, primary, and secondary wastewater and biosolids treatment.

Calculates plant performance parameters from monitoring data and compares values to permit limits to determine regulatory compliance.

Utilizes the computerized plant asset management system to prepare and submit work orders for equipment maintenance.

Complies with a variety of safety and environmental mandates; shares responsibility for instructing and training new employees in a wide range of safety and operational matters; inspects plant equipment and grounds for safety.

Provides technical supervision, oversight, and training to other operators and subordinate staff.  Performs in a leadership role, providing effective guidance, training, assistance, support and direction.

Provides assistance to staff in resolving difficult or unusual situations and problems. May assign, direct and/or organize work of subordinate operators. Provides feedback to supervisory staff regarding performance of subordinate operators/staff.

Collects and interprets process data and recommends process changes and adjustments to meet federal, State, and local regulations and permit requirements.

Independently follows established Standard Operating Procedures to perform process adjustments on all wastewater treatment and solids handling equipment.

Assists in developing and modifying Standard Operating Procedures.

May act as the Operator-in-Charge of shift to direct operational duties in the absence of Process Control Supervisor and Chief Operator.

Uses direct observation and the plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and control the levels, flows, and pressures of biogas, wastewater, storm water, re-use water and sludge at the treatment plant and at pumping stations.

Monitors treatment plant processes by collecting biogas, sludge, wastewater and re-use water samples at multiple treatment plant process units and by performing physical and chemical field and laboratory sample analyses in accordance with Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

Maintains effective preliminary and primary wastewater and sludge treatment processes by adding correct amounts of several chemicals for odor control, disinfection, de-chlorination, alkalinity/pH, and sludge coagulation.  Monitors and adjusts chemical feed rates directly or remotely through SCADA.   Handles, mixes and stores a variety of chemicals used for wastewater and sludge treatment including polymers, sodium hypochlorite, calcium thiophosphate, and sodium hydroxide.

Monitors and operates hot water boilers and hot water heating ancillary systems including boiler fuel sources, heat exchangers, and hot water mixing valves to maintain correct temperatures for anaerobic sludge and industrial wastewater digestion.

Monitors, adjusts and performs minor repairs on mechanical equipment including air compressors, valves, gates, pumps, and motors to maintain proper flows, levels, and pressures for treatment processes.

Bio-Terrorism, Security and Federal Emergency Management: In accordance with the Bio-Terrorism law, must be sensitive concerning the security of the wastewater treatment plant and wastewater collection system.   Must also comply with the National Incident Management System.

Operates, maintains, trouble shoots and calibrates sensors for temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, lower explosive limit, pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, turbidity, level, and pressure.

Provides verbal and written status reports concerning plant operations.  Enters information into daily logs and computer system; records meter readings and laboratory test data; prepares computerized time sheets.

Cleans and maintains plant process structures and equipment as needed.  

Operates trucks, truck and trailer combinations, backhoe, tractor, and forklift.

May perform any/all duties of the Operator 1 or 2 classifications.

Contributes to the effectiveness of the Wastewater Division and the City of Yakima, by exhibiting an attitude that encourages cooperation and coordination of efforts, productive time management, and efficient use of resources. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

Requires regular and reliable attendance.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Ability to train staff in procedures and operations; instruct, oversee, and evaluate the work of other operators; schedule the work of others.

Knowledge of applicable city, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

Knowledge pertaining to the federal Clean Water Act, the Biosolids Rule, and the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

Knowledge of effective leadership, mentorship and supervisory principles, practices, and techniques; time management and work flow practices, record keeping and retention processes and practices. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and sound judgement with regard to public disclosure, and confidentiality standards.

Advanced knowledge of water/wastewater system operations and maintenance including types of equipment and materials used; and safe techniques and procedures for the appropriate use of materials, hand tools, power tools, and equipment necessary.

Advanced knowledge of the operation and equipment of preliminary, primary, and secondary wastewater treatment processes including the physical and chemical processes of anaerobic sludge digestion, screening, grit settling and classification, primary and secondary clarification, and trickling filter treatment, activated sludge, and high rate anaerobic digestion; mathematics, chemistry, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical theory; flow, pressure, and level sensing and control equipment; recording, measuring and testing instruments; biogas, water, wastewater and sludge sampling and quality tests; confined space entry, fall protection, and bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Strong working knowledge of office equipment, such as: telephone, copier/fax machines, computers, and applicable computer programs, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office Suite and internet access capabilities.

Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively, with employees, and members of the public representing diverse levels of education and background, utilizing effective communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of English including correct grammar, letter composition, spelling, and punctuation. Knowledge of techniques and strategies for dissemination of written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals. Must maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality and discretion through all forms of communication.

Must possess motivation, and ability to apply the principles of wastewater treatment processes including preliminary and primary treatment units, solids digestion, biogas handling systems, sludge handling and plant-wide air, water, electrical and hydraulic support systems; mathematics and chemistry; basic hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical theory; flow, pressure, and level control equipment; recording, measuring and testing instruments; biogas, water, wastewater, and sludge sampling and quality tests; basic industrial safety procedures and practices.

Must be dependable; able to work independently with self-direction and limited direction or oversight; maintain sustained attention to detail and work under varying timeline pressures; prioritize; and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines. Excellent mechanical, analytical, and organizational skills are essential.

Must possess ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and demands.  Ability to positively receive feedback and take direction is essential.

Ability to operate hand and power tools; perform complex mathematical calculations efficiently and accurately;   recognize and report abnormal operational and mechanical conditions through direct observations and through interpretation of SCADA and laboratory data;  read, research, understand and utilize equipment repair resources; and render a timely and appropriate corrective actions; make fast and accurate decisions leading to corrective actions for the operation and maintenance of the treatment plant and correct preliminary and primary treatment processes; accurately read meters and gauges and detect faulty characteristics; keep logs and records of operations and input into the computer; collect samples and set up and perform laboratory and field analysis of wastewater and sludge samples to determine adjustments; manually start and stop equipment, systems, and processes; conduct preventative and corrective maintenance on plant equipment.

Ability to understand and execute complex oral or written instructions; apply extensive or obscure guidelines to a wide variety of work situations; read, interpret and analyze technical documents and to translate analysis into reports.  Ability to read, research, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.  Must possess ability to identify and define complex problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Ability to efficiently operate a personal computer, necessary mobile devices and other standard office equipment. Must possess sufficient physical ability to work in both plant and field settings and to operated assigned equipment. Must be able to absorb detailed information and instruction, and perform strenuous physical work and occasionally lift heavy equipment.

Ability to establish, facilitate, and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, other departments, and members of the public, continually demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and respect to individuals, groups and organizations representing a wide diversity of ethnicities, cultures, opinions, and beliefs; demonstrate a willingness to complete a wide variety of tasks as needed with minimal direction or oversight.

Ability to supervise, coach, mentor, assist, train, plan, organize, and lead the work of subordinate staff or other operators as needed. Ability to develop and implement accountability methods; evaluate personnel performance and provide constructive feedback. Ability to facilitate and lead cohesive, positive and highly productive work teams; work cooperatively as a member of a team and adhere to the department's values including, but not limited to: customer focused, teamwork, positive communication, and accountability in a punctual, regular and reliable manner.

Ability to maintain annual training requirements of the position, including but not limited to City mandatory training requirements. Ability to work extended hours, and standby, on-call, night and weekend hours, as needed to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is performed both inside buildings and outdoor plant areas and collateral facilities. Frequent work outside in all weather extremes and may be exposed to dust, dirt, smoke, electrical hazards, noxious odors, fumes, or chemicals, raw sewage, waterborne disease, animals, rodents, insects, needles, drug paraphernalia, noxious and combustible gases.

Sufficient physical ability to work in both plant and field settings and to operate assigned equipment. Frequent use of both hands in reaching/handling/grasping/ keyboarding and other fine motor skill manipulation while performing duties operating on various vehicles, equipment and machinery. Occasional bending/twisting at knees/waist/neck while performing related activities.

 Occasional kneeling/crouching/crawling while making repairs in confined spaces and awkward positions.  May be required to frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasional heavy work includes lifting and carrying up to fifty (50) pounds. Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, ladders, and inclines while maintaining balance.

Physical strength and ability sufficient to perform manual labor for extended periods under wet, cold, and generally unpleasant conditions.  Occasional kneeling/crouching/crawling while making repairs in confined spaces and awkward positions. May work at heights, alone, with others, or in noisy work area.

 Work and/or walk for long periods of time on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain.   May require continuous moving, sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Continuous use of all senses including feeling/talking/ hearing/seeing while performing duties and while communicating with co-workers, the general public and completing all tasks as assigned.

Must be able to maintain, access and utilize long-term and short-term memory for recalling and completing complex matters. Must be able to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.   Must be able to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Will be required to wear safety protective gear when necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS

May come in contact with irate, upset, emotionally disturbed and/or uncooperative individuals.  Subject to twenty-four (24) hour emergency callbacks and standby and requires working varying hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays.