Lead Water Operator/Certified en City of Sioux Falls, SD

About the Department

$26.89 - $29.16 hourly; $28.08- $30.49 hourly-Certified
Perform semiskilled, skilled, technical, and specialized work in the operation of a water treatment facility. Assume direct responsible charge in the absence of the Water Operations Manager.

Position Duties

1. Monitor SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) control panel, gauges, and meters to ensure proper plant operation. Maintain appropriate plant influent flow rates, distribution system pumping rates, and water pressure, as well as storage reservoirs’ water levels in response to varying water demands.

2. Make regular tours of the water treatment facility. Read panel view screens, digital displays, gauges, and other instruments; record required operating information on plant logs. Monitor proper operation of the plant filters and perform backwashing.

3. Perform general office work as required, including entering computer data, typing reports, and answering the plant telephone. Receive off-hours emergency and maintenance calls and direct calls to on-call personnel.

4. Handle and monitor inventory of chemicals. Clean lime slakers and associated equipment to ensure proper operation of the lime feed system. Implement delivery security and safety procedures when unloading bulk chemicals and railcars.

5. Collect water and sludge samples, perform basic field and laboratory analysis on samples, and interpret and log results. Troubleshoot and calibrate operator’s station lab equipment.

6. Direct Water Operators on the same shift. Identify and make suggestions on items that need to be addressed. Maintain confidentiality regarding employee/employer relations.

7. Operate, inspect, and monitor a wide variety of mechanical, electrical, and chemical equipment.

8. Interpret all data accumulated and make equipment and process control changes within the guidelines established by management. Consult Water Operations Manager as necessary.

9. Assume direct responsible charge for the operation of the water treatment facility in the absence of the Water Operations Manager.

10. Assist the Water Operations Manager in on-the-job training for new employees. Ensure that goals, objectives, policies, and procedures are implemented.

11. Perform minor maintenance and labor tasks, including general housekeeping.

12. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED certification.

For the B31 position: Must have six (6) years’ experience, including at least three (3) years’ experience in a Class II or higher facility and have a valid Class III Water Treatment Certificate within one (1) year of hire; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

For the B32 position: Must have eight (8) years’ experience, including at least four (4) years’ experience in a Class III or higher facility and have a valid Class IV Water Treatment Certificate; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Willing to work varied schedules and rotating shifts to accommodate a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week operation.

Must possess or be able to obtain prior to hire a valid driver’s license.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment of surface and groundwaters as they pertain to the use of single-stage upflow clarifiers and maintaining sludge blankets.

• Knowledge of process equipment and unit operations used in the microsand-ballasted pretreatment clarification, lime softening, filtration, stabilization, and disinfection of surface and groundwater, and the thickening and dewatering of all associated sludges.

• Knowledge of sampling, analytical procedures, and preservation techniques. Knowledge of lab equipment, including calibration techniques and minor repairs.

• Knowledge of the interpretation of laboratory data and its application to process control.

• Knowledge of basic computers and ability to operate.

• Knowledge of the occupational hazards or safety precautions relating to the safe handling of hazardous chemicals, such as lime and chlorine, and the safe operation of mechanical and electrical equipment.

• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with plant employees, management, other City departments, and the public.

• Ability to troubleshoot equipment problems; maintain, clean, and calibrate equipment as needed.

• Ability to interrupt potential problems concerning water plant operations and take appropriate corrective or preventive action.

• Ability to maintain compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations through the proficient operation of the water treatment process.