Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee/Grade I/Grade II(DOQ) bei City of Hanford, CA

About the Department

The City of Hanford is looking to fill one (1) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee/I/II (DOQ) vacancy in the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 
To perform a variety of skilled mechanical maintenance in the operation of a wastewater treatment facility; to perform as fully qualified plant operators responsible for the efficient operation of wastewater treatment and distribution equipment; and to provide skilled plant maintenance support to an assigned supervisor.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - Trainee: This is the trainee classification in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator technical series.  The trainee class is designed to provide the training and experience required for advancement.  Initially, incumbents work under the close and continuous supervision of an experienced operator and are assigned the more routine, basic, and repetitive plant maintenance and operation tasks.  This classification is distinguished from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade I in that the Operator – Grade I must possess a working knowledge of plant operations and is responsible for operating a wastewater treatment plant and related facilities during an assigned shift without immediate supervision.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade I:  This is the entry level in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator technical series.  Positions in this class are responsible for routine cleaning, operations, maintenance, and adjustment of wastewater treatment facilities and equipment, and may operate less complex or critical plant equipment and stations without immediate supervision.  The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade I class is distinguished from the Grade II level by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the Grade II level and the greater complexity of tasks performed at the Grade II level.  Incumbents work under general supervision as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade II:  This is the journey level class in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator technical series and is distinguished from the Grade I level by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new, unusual or unique situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Grade I level.

Position Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Operate pumps, valves, blowers, compressors, bar screens, feeders, and auxiliary equipment to regulate the flow of water and/or wastewater through the treatment plant on an assigned shift.

Remove screening and grit; clean equipment and sedimentation tanks and plugged lines.

Inspect equipment and report operating and mechanical problems occurring during shift; may perform routine maintenance or minor repair or lubrication work on wastewater equipment.

Follow guidelines for proper documentation of wastewater samples collected from sites and deliver to lab; communicate with lab staff on a daily basis; obtain lab analysis results for process control.

Monitor and make operational adjustments to extended aeration oxidation ditch to ensure high quality effluent and biosolids.

Maintain basic operational records such as operating logs, maintenance work performed, and record readings taken from a variety of meters, gauges, or charts.

Adjust and monitor the addition of chlorine; connect and disconnect chlorine tanks using SCBA units.

Keep plant area in a clean and orderly condition.

Use common hand and power tools.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.

Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - Trainee

Knowledge of:

Elementary mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles.

Common safe work practices.

Basic arithmetic.

Common hand and power tools.

Ability to:

Learn practice, procedures, techniques and regulations pertaining to wastewater treatment.

Intermittently, sit while driving a piece of equipment; stand and walk while performing maintenance activities; bend and twist to adjust equipment; kneel and squat to review work; climb up on to heavy equipment to test or inspect systems; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; and lift or carry weight of 50 pounds or less.

Learn to operate and perform minor maintenance of treatment plant equipment and related facilities.

Operate heavy equipment including backhoe, dump truck and front loader.

Read and interpret gauges and telemetry equipment.

Load and unload chlorine tanks; wear SCBA unit to connect and disconnect tanks.

Keep neat and accurate records.

Interpret mechanical and piping diagrams.

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Basic plumbing and electrical experience.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License and Certificates

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver's license.

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, an Operator-in-Training Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board within three months of appointment.  Ability to obtain a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I Certificate or appropriate license as determined by the State Water Resources Control Board within 18 months of appointment.

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a fork lift certificate within twelve months of appointment.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade I

Knowledge of:

Modern principles, methods and practices of wastewater treatment.

Routine cleaning, maintenance, and basic operations of wastewater treatment equipment.

Basic arithmetic.

Safe working practices and procedures pertaining to the work.

Routine wastewater sampling and control test procedures.

Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.

Ability to:

Operate and maintain a wastewater treatment facility and related equipment.

On a continuous basis, know and understand maintenance activities and observe safety rules.  Intermittently, analyze problem equipment; identify safety hazards; locate equipment; interpret work orders; remember how to operate equipment; and explain jobs to other employees.

Intermittently, sit while driving a piece of equipment; stand and walk while performing maintenance activities; bend and twist to adjust equipment; kneel and squat to review work; climb up on to heavy equipment to test or inspect systems; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; and lift or carry weight of 50 pounds or less.

Operate heavy equipment including backhoe, dump truck and front loader.

Read and interpret gauges and telemetry equipment.

Load and unload chlorine tanks; wear SCBA unit to connect and disconnect tanks.

Keep neat and accurate records; enter readings into appropriate databases.

Use sound judgment in recognizing scope of authority.

Operate and use modern office equipment including computers and applicable software.

Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.

Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.

Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.

Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and collaborative working relationships with others.

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year of experience similar to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator - Trainee with the City of Hanford.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License and Certificate

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California Class C driver's license.

Possession of a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate or appropriate license as determined by the State Water Resources Control Board at time of appointment.  Ability to obtain a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate or appropriate license as determined by the State Water Resources Control Board within 18 months of appointment.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade II

In addition to the qualifications for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade I,

Knowledge of:

Principles of wastewater treatment process.

Basic lab procedures related to treatment plant operations.

Safe and efficient use of tools and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant.

Ability to:

Read various technical and industry publications; read and understand symbols, notations on blueprints, schematics, charts, graphs and dials.

Conduct specialized field testing for water quality and toxicology testing.

Use computer for documentation and sample data.

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of responsible experience similar to a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator – Grade I with the City of Hanford.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License and Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver's license.

Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's certificate or appropriate license as determined by the State Water Resources Control Board at time of appointment.

Other Qualifications

The application screening will involve a competitive evaluation of relevant education, training, and work experience, followed by a written examination and/or an interview before an Oral Board to identify the most qualified candidates. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee applicants an interview, and the screening committee's decision is final. Candidates deemed eligible for appointment to the position will be placed on the City’s Certified Eligibility List. Applicants will receive written notification regarding the results of all phases of the recruitment process leading up to the establishment of the Eligibility List, if applicable.