Hybrid Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator - West Point C-Crew na King County, WA

About the Department

About the Role:
The successful candidate will operate, monitor, and control wastewater treatment equipment using manual operations or complex computerized systems. They will troubleshoot all wastewater equipment, systems, and processes with limited supervision. The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facilities at WPTP are currently undergoing major capital improvements expected to continue over the next 10 years. The candidate will be a part of a flexible and dynamic team responsible for providing expertise and support to maintain continuous effective wastewater operations.  An ability to provide clear and effective communications with the public, fellow team members, other treatment plant staff, and other King County work groups to accomplish work requirements is a must. They will maintain and strive toward intra-team and cross-team support and cooperation daily. With the treatment plants operating on a 24/7/365 schedule, the candidate should have the ability to work varied operations shift schedules is a necessity and a requirement. As a mission critical employee, an individual within the operations group is expected to report for duty when required.

About the Team:
King County protects water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region by providing high quality and effective treatment to wastewater collected from our local sewer agencies. King County's wastewater operators not only help prevent the spread of many contagious diseases, but help the environment and the communities they reside in.


Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.  We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Wastewater Treatment Operator/Senior Operator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Position Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

• Operate, monitor, and maintain wastewater and odor control equipment and facilities.
• Operate, monitor, and maintain biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes at wastewater treatment plants, collection system pump and regulator stations and associated facilities.
• Conduct sampling and test analysis of wastewater and recommend changes to process to meet federal and regulations and to optimize wastewater plant performance.
• Perform maintenance on wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities, including buildings equipment, and grounds. Duties include cleaning, servicing operating equipment, mowing lawns, and performing housekeeping tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you Bring as a Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator – performs duties above plus:

• Serve in a lead capacity to operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain wastewater treatment facilities, odor control equipment, biological, chemical, mechanical, and hydraulic processes. Provide advanced level troubleshooting, problem-solving, coordination and decision-making when performing duties, particularly in on-site, unusual and/or emergency situations. Be on call after hours for such situations. Recommend and/or determine changes to wastewater process to meet federal and Washington State permits and regulations and to optimize plant performance. Provide broad, in-depth on-the-job training to other wastewater operations staff. Assist the supervisor in performance feedback and evaluation of staff. 
• Plan, schedule, coordinate and perform maintenance for assigned wastewater facilities, systems, and processes. Coordinate and perform on-site response to unusual occurrences and emergencies.
• Serve as technical resource to the other staff, the public and external agencies.
• Operate, monitor, and control wastewater equipment and systems with complex computer systems.
• Assume the full operational responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor in the absence of the Wastewater Treatment Supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

What You Bring as a Wastewater Treatment Operator:

• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including preliminary, primary, secondary, digestion, gas handling systems, sludge handling, plant-wide air, water, chemical, electrical and hydraulic support systems.
• Knowledge of collection systems; including pump stations, regulator stations, CSO facilities and miscellaneous structures. 
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical theory, cross connections and pumps
• Knowledge of wastewater terminology and process control
• Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and practices
• Knowledge of and skill in applying sampling, testing and laboratory procedures
• Skill in verbal and written communication techniques and principles and ability to read, write and follow oral and written instructions
• Skill in reading, recording and interpreting information from field devices 
• Skill in operating basic hand and power tools and specialized equipment
• Skill in operating complex computer control systems and identifying normal and abnormal operating conditions
• Skill in the interpretation and application of technical information from plant drawings, operations and maintenance manuals, and lab tests
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors, heat and high noise levels.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.

What You Bring as a Wastewater Treatment Senior Operator:
All the above plus:

• Advanced knowledge and skill in plant-wide gas, disinfection and chemical feed systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, odor control, electrical, water, air, and hydraulic systems  
• Advanced knowledge and skill in major components, causes for alarms, remote monitoring and control system for the equipment and systems in the preliminary, primary, and secondary solids handling, odor control and collection/conveyance systems.  
• Skill in providing in-depth training to staff on facility equipment and systems.   
• Knowledge and skills in operating complex computer control systems and in managing written and/or computerized information systems including logs, reports, laboratory and process data, work requests and timekeeping responsibilities. 
• Knowledge of leadership techniques and principles. 
• Skill in creating a positive, professional team environment, including the business planning process, the establishment of standards and feedback, communication, conflict resolution, effective team meetings, problem-solving, decision-making and facilitation. 
• Advanced skill in the application of safety policies, procedures, and practices.  
• Skill in interpreting and applying technical information from plant drawings, technical data sheets, operations and maintenance manuals and laboratory test results. 
• Skill in operating specialized portable and stationary equipment such as boom trucks, forklifts, generator trucks, steam cleaners, mobile pumping units and overhead cranes.  
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.  
• Ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions. 
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. 
• Ability to work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors, heat and high noise levels. 
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member. 
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite. 

Competencies You Bring:    

• Communicates Effectively – Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Decision Quality – Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Manages Ambiguity – Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
• Manages Complexity – Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

Required Licenses for a Wastewater Treatment Operator: 

• Washington State Group I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
• Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License.
• Must obtain a City of Seattle Boiler Operator Grade III license within 2 years of employment (West Point only.  City of Seattle requirement for operators to operate our boilers and raw sewage pump engines).
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
• CPR and first aid certification – can be achieved within the first six months of employment.

• Washington State Group III Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification or above from the Washington State Department of Ecology or out-of-state equivalency which must be converted to a Washington certification within one year of employment.
• Valid unencumbered Washington State Driver’s License.
• Must obtain a City of Seattle Boiler Operator Grade III license within 2 years of employment (West Point only. City of Seattle requirement for operators to operate our boilers and raw sewage pump engines).
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
• CPR and first aid certification.

Other Qualifications

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: West Point Treatment Plant -1400 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199.
• Work Schedule: Standard working hours are 40 hours per week. This position will follow the respective shift schedule for the crew that they are assigned but may be assigned to any shift. Shift crews work two 11.7-hour day shifts followed by two 11.7-hour night shifts, followed by four days off. Applicants must be available to work any assigned schedule. This position is an hourly position governed by the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime-eligible. 
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).
• Physical Requirement: Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, use ladders, and there is exposure to hazardous chemicals and noxious odors.  A pre-employment physical, review of driving record and reference checks will be conducted prior to any final job offer for external applicants. 

Application and Selection Process:
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.  

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application

• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)

• Optional Cover Letter (will be reviewed if submitted)

• Corresponding Certifications and Licenses (Wastewater and Boiler Operator)
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note:  Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Rodney Dungo 
HR Analyst 
[email protected]

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and our WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News. 

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Candidatar-se agora