Plant Operator - Wastewater Utility Plant

City of Richmond•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is seeking a Plant Operator for its Wastewater Utility Plant. This career-broadband position performs work of moderate to considerable difficulty operating a wastewater treatment plant in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. The incumbent is an essential employee and is required to work when the City is closed because of public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, or inclement weather. The work includes monitoring and optimizing wastewater treatment processes, maintaining permit and regulatory compliance, testing and analyzing samples, operating and inspecting equipment, recording operational data, and responding to normal and abnormal conditions throughout the wastewater collection and treatment system. The position also includes preventative maintenance, housekeeping, groundskeeping, stormwater pollution prevention activities, safety programs, and employee training. The anticipated hiring range is $47,490–$68,224. Plant Operators are assigned to broadband Zones I through V, with experience and wastewater operator license requirements varying by zone. Zone I incumbents must obtain a Virginia Class 3 Wastewater Works Operator License within 18 months of hire; failure to do so results in separation from employment. Zone II incumbents require a Virginia Class 4 license and must obtain a Class 3 license within 18 months of hire, or be separated. Zones III, IV, and V require Class 3, Class 2, and Class 1 licenses, respectively.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED for Zone I.
At least one year of maintenance experience for Zone I, preferably performing utility tasks; Zones II through V require additional experience and certifications as defined by the broadband program.
Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes.
Knowledge of safety principles and practices.
Knowledge of SCADA programs used to monitor, control, and document wastewater plant operations and compliance.
Strong mathematical background in algebra and geometry.
Ability to safely use hand tools.
Knowledge of wastewater laboratory equipment, including spectrophotometers, pH probes and meters, dissolved oxygen probes and meters, incubators, ovens, and glassware.
Knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems.
An equivalent combination of training and experience, as approved by the department, may be used to meet the classification's minimum qualifications.
Zone I incumbents must obtain a Virginia Class 3 Wastewater Works Operator License within 18 months of initial hire; failure to meet the deadline results in separation from employment.
Zone II incumbents must hold a Commonwealth of Virginia Class 4 Wastewater Works Operator License and obtain a Class 3 license within 18 months of initial hire; failure to meet the deadline results in separation from employment.
Zone III incumbents must hold a Commonwealth of Virginia Class 3 Wastewater Works Operator License.
Zone IV incumbents must hold a Commonwealth of Virginia Class 2 Wastewater Works Operator License.
Zone V incumbents must hold a Commonwealth of Virginia Class 1 Wastewater Works Operator License.
Ability to perform detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraints.
Ability to perform the physical activities required for the essential duties, including balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, using fingers, and grasping.

Nice To Haves

Experience with utility plant maintenance.
Valid Virginia driver's license.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Completion of wastewater treatment training courses.
Ability to properly use personal protective equipment.
Knowledge of wastewater treatment techniques.

Responsibilities

Monitor, document, and optimize wastewater plant process controls, including wastewater flow rates, chemical dosage set points, air compressor discharge pressures, and blower output settings.
Maintain compliance with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality VPDES permit and Environmental Protection Agency federal regulations.
Recognize and correct negative impacts to wastewater quality.
Collect and transport wastewater, sludge, and biosolids samples; document chain-of-custody information; and perform laboratory testing and analysis.
Read and interpret gauges, meters, wastewater quality analyzers, and control panels to monitor equipment and adjust treatment processes for permit compliance.
Observe and document variations in operating conditions and treatment techniques to determine appropriate process-control adjustments.
Record operational data in control station log books, digital databases, daily log sheets, and supervisory control and data acquisition systems.
Operate valves, gates, pumps, and plant equipment to control and adjust wastewater treatment processes.
Adjust, monitor, and respond to normal and abnormal operating situations involving the wastewater collection system, combined sewer overflows, retention basin, diversion structure, remote collection stations, and treatment plant.
Visually inspect assigned duty stations and treatment facilities several times each shift.
Perform preventative maintenance on plant equipment, structures, and tanks, as well as groundskeeping and housekeeping.
Clean in and around wastewater operator control stations.
Use and navigate applications and programs on desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, human-machine interfaces, programmable logic controllers, and operator interface terminals.
Perform mathematical calculations related to areas, volumes, statistics, flow rates, pump and blower speeds, chemical demands, dosages, and residuals.
Participate in the stormwater pollution prevention program, including regular inspections and daily groundskeeping.
Participate in utility-wide safety programs and employee training programs.