Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator bei City of Springfield, Ohio, OH

About the Department

This is skilled technical work in the operation and maintenance of a water or wastewater treatment plant. Work involves responsibility for operating, monitoring, sampling, and control of a water or wastewater treatment plant and associated equipment on an assigned shift. Work includes responsibility for adjusting treatment processes to ensure conformance with applicable water quality standards, participating in the maintenance of equipment and facilities, and preparing operating records and reports. Employees of this class may be required to work rotating or nonstandard shifts. Work is performed independently in accordance with established routines and practices and under general supervision of the Plant Superintendent. Work is evaluated for adherence to O.E.P.A. standards and correct responses to situations requiring changes in treatment procedures, and through observation, inspection of facilities, and review of daily reports.

Position Duties

Any one position may not include all of the specific duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties that may be performed.
 

• Participates in and controls the operation of treatment facilities and equipment for controlling the flow and processing of water or wastewater, sludge, and effluent; monitors gauges, meters, and control panels; observes variations in demand and operating conditions and interprets gauge and meter readings and test results to determine processing adjustments

• Operates gates, valves, pumps, chemical feed equipment, and other controls, either manually or by remote control; starts and stops pumps to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; inspects equipment to detect possible malfunctions and records and reports repair service requirements of equipment; maintains logs of operations and operating adjustments. Collects all types of water samples from plant and distribution system for analysis. Performs standardized tests and records results.

• Maintains various data logs, which indicate flow into plant and amount being discharged from the plant, and other records of equipment operation and maintenance.  Enters data into data processing equipment.

• When not on an assigned shift, routinely performs the duties of the Plant Maintenance Mechanic II classification in maintaining plant, wellfields, lift stations, pump stations and elevated tank equipment. May operate dump trucks, sludge trucks or a loader to handle and dispose of sludge at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. May perform duties in the plant laboratories.

• Performs inspections of equipment operating status; examines equipment for noise, excessive heat, and vibrations or any other operating defects.

• Conveys plant operating conditions to relieving operator, Assistant Plant Superintendent and Plant Superintendent.

• Performs all related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school, vocation school, or a GED, and experience in treatment plant maintenance and operation or equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed.

Requires the ability to pass a written exam with a minimum score of 70%

• If you are a qualified applicant with a disability, please notify the Human Resources Department at least 1 week prior to testing if requesting a reasonable accommodation for the testing process.

Other Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, plant functions, and methods related to the operation of the plant to which assigned.

• Knowledge of the functions and servicing requirements of mechanical equipment and machinery.

• Ability to perform routine chemical analysis.

• Ability to read, interpret, and work from written and oral instruction governing operating procedures.

• Ability to read meters and charts accurately and maintain required records.

• Ability to be called out at times other than regular working hours to respond to emergency conditions.

• Ability to perform standard arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.

• Ability to think clearly and perform all necessary tasks under stress and emergency conditions.

• Ability to ascend and descend vertical ladders and to work at heights above 50 feet such as water tanks.

• Ability to perform all normal and related operator duties without the aid of any other individuals.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and other plant personnel.

• Ability to work in confined spaces such as valve and meter pits, vaults, manholes, catch basins, trenches, lift stations, sewers, wet wells, tunnels, and digesters; ability to enter manholes or access hatches 24 inches in diameter.

• Skill in the operation of plant pumping, treatment, testing, and control equipment.

• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time.

• Ability to wear and operate life safety devices such as face masks, air packs, safety belts, harnesses, and other related equipment.

• Wastewater Plant Operators are required to obtain Class II Ohio EPA certification in wastewater operation within 3 years of appointment. 

• Water Plant Operators are required to obtain Class I Ohio EPA certification in water supply within 3 years of appointment.  In addition, Water Plant Operators are required to obtain certification of all chemical analysis that is required by the Ohio EPA for plant operations.

• Possession of a valid Ohio driver's license.

• Relief shift Operators at the Wastewater Treatment Plant must possess a Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL), with tanker and air brake endorsements. 180 calendar days given to obtain if needed.