Water Plant Operator (D/C/B) na City of Bastrop (TX), TX

About the Department

The City of Bastrop Water and Wastewater Team is currently seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of Water Plant Operator. If you are interested in starting your career or taking the next step with the work skills you have already acquired, come join us! 

Starting salary for the Water/Wastewater Plant Operator is commensurate based on certification and experience as follows:

• Plant Operator D    $21.13 - $25.12
• Plant Operator C    $23.28 - $27.68
• Plant Operator B    $25.66 - $30.50

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collect daily samples and perform routine laboratory tests for the purpose of analyzing content in terms of pH levels, chlorine residuals, flows, temperature, rain fall, turbidity, and phosphates.
• Monitor, adjust and record data from gauges, meters, control panels and equipment to ensure proper chemical treatment, pressures, tank levels and flow rates of the water system.
• Operate and maintain chlorine analyzers and various chemical feeding systems, i.e., chlorine, fluoride, polyphosphates.
• Replace chlorine cylinders, HF acid, caustic, and polyphosphates, and regulate flow rates.
• Operate and maintain various water wells, pumps, and motors.
• Maintain and monitor storage tanks and pressure reducing valves.
• Enter all shift data into the computer system and/or on data sheets as directed.
• Inspect, clean, and monitor the functioning of mechanical equipment.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on process equipment.
• Maintain primary responsibility for the prevention of contamination and pollution of the City’s public water system.
• Control and monitor plant processes as directed, to include disinfection, pH adjustments, corrosion prevention, and flow rates.
• Clean, maintain, calibrate, and/or operate various treatment plant systems and components, i.e., plant instruments, chart recorders, blowers, motors, pumps, piping, valves.
• Document daily facility/plant activities, and may transfer data to the department computer system, as directed.
• Assist in review and maintenance of records for regulatory reporting.
• Provide guidance, support, and assistance to treatment operations personnel in proper methods, techniques, and procedures as per established regulatory practices.
• Function on call for response to emergencies and rotates weekend shifts as a relief operator.

• Operate equipment and perform relief duties at the City’s water treatment and distribution facilities as needed.
• Provide support/assistance in repair of water leaks, installation of water services, and related distribution projects.
• Provide support/assistance in repair of wastewater lines and manholes, installation of wastewater services, and related collection system projects.
• Install water and sewer lines, taps, and meters as directed.
• Perform various wastewater tasks as needed, i.e., cleaning blockages, repairing leaks, checking lift stations, and sample analyses.
• Perform routine facility/plant maintenance duties.
• Provide general administrative support as directed.
• Perform related work as directed.

• Work schedule is Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential; leave scheduled should be managed so as to not interfere with the ability to accomplish tasks, including assignments with deadlines and special projects.
• Must be able to work holidays, weekends, or after hours for special events, meetings or during emergency situations as required.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education, Training and Licenses/Certifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of progressively responsible experience in the field that provides water plant operations experience and working knowledge of groundwater production, treatment, and distribution functions; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Water Operator “Class D” certification or must be able to obtain within twelve (12) months of employment.
• Valid driver license with an acceptable driving record to maintained throughout employment. 

• Thorough knowledge of groundwater system treatment methods and procedures, and safety characteristics of chemicals used in the treatment process.
• Thorough knowledge of plant safety precautions, and occupational hazards associated with water treatment operations.
• Considerable knowledge of all facets of groundwater production, treatment, storage, and distribution operations.
• Considerable knowledge of records maintenance principles and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of facility equipment maintenance requirements.
• Working knowledge of distribution and collection principles of water and wastewater systems.
• Skill in the operation of treatment plant equipment, i.e., injectors, pumps, measuring devices, valves, lab equipment. 
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of federal and state regulatory practices, and to ensure compliance in such.
• Ability to gather and maintain complete and accurate records.
• Ability to identify operational deficiencies and perform maintenance and repair on a variety of mechanical equipment and electronic devices, i.e., pumps, motors, valves, meters, gauges.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; calculate decimals and percentages; utilize algebraic and geometric principles.
• Thorough knowledge of safety precautions, and occupational hazards associated with treatment facility operations.
• Considerable knowledge of calibration and maintenance needs required to effectively support moderately sized water treatment, storage and distribution facilities.
• Working knowledge of record and report maintenance principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of distribution/collection systems construction and maintenance.
• Working knowledge of water and sewer line plumbing principles and construction techniques.
• Ability to identify operational deficiencies, and perform maintenance, repair, and calibration on plant instrumentation and related components and systems.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with supervisors, fellow personnel, other departments with whom position interacts, and the general public.

• Some tasks are essentially sedentary, with occasional walking, bending, light lifting, or other restricted physical activities.
• Some tasks involve some physical effort, i.e., some standing and walking, or frequent light lifting (5-10 pounds); or minimal dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs, or body in the operation of shop or office equipment; may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
• Some tasks involve frequent walking, standing; some lifting and carrying of moderate weight (12-20 pounds); and/or the operation of vehicles, office, shop, or hand tools in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important ingredients of safe and/or productive operations.
• Some tasks involve the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, working in confined spaces, and lifting or carrying moderately heavy (20-50 pounds) items and occasionally very heavy (100 pounds or over) items.

• Some tasks may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g. dirt, cold, rain, fumes). 
• Some tasks may require exposure to extreme heat/cold or extreme weather conditions.
• Some tasks may require exposure to strong and/or toxic chemicals.
• Some tasks may risk exposure to elements that can cause illness (e.g., pathogenic substances, virus, parasites).   

• Some tasks may require color perception and discrimination.
• Some tasks may require sound perception and discrimination.
• Some tasks may require odor perception and discrimination.
• Some tasks may require depth perception and discrimination.
• Some tasks may require visual perception and discrimination. 
• Some tasks may require oral communication.

• Assists other departments as directed. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Qualifications

The City of Bastrop is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO) and values diversity in its workforce. As an EEO employer, the City provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.