Utility Operator, Operator I, Operator II

City of Soldotna•Soldotna Waste Water Treatment Plant, AK

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Soldotna has an immediate opening for an Operator in the Utility Department. This position is responsible for regular and recurring responsibilities related to the operation and maintenance of Soldotna’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Treatment, and the Distribution/Collection Systems. Work schedule includes Monday through Friday, some holidays, and an on-call rotation with some weekend work. A weekly work schedule will be prepared on an as needed basis and may include shift work, defined as late night, early morning and/or week-end hours.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED is required for Operator (Range 13).
Must be able to obtain a provisional certification from the State of Alaska DEC in at least one of the four utility facility types within 12 months from date of hire.
Must have a valid Alaska driver’s license.
Must have and maintain a good driving record.
Must achieve the next level certifications from the State of Alaska DEC for operation of Treatment, Distribution, Collection, and Wastewater Treatment, within 6 months of acquiring the required hours of operation and education. This requirement continues until Operator reaches the level of the facilities they are operating.
Operator I (Range 14) requires having met all of the requirements for Operator and obtaining Level I certifications from the State of Alaska DEC for one of the utility facility types; Wastewater Treatment, Water Treatment, Distribution, or Collection.
Operator II (Range 15) requires having met all of the requirement for Operator I and obtaining one (1) of the following from the State of Alaska DEC: Level III Wastewater Collection, Level II Water Distribution or Level III Wastewater Treatment certification.
A candidate with an equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, may be considered.
Must have a valid Class B Alaska Commercial Driver’s License for Operator II.
As a condition of employment with the City of Soldotna, applicable regulations require the City to verify through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse that the applicant’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is not in a prohibited status.
Applicants with prior violations may be deemed ineligible for employment; unless they provide satisfactory documentation demonstrating successful completion of the Department of Transportation’s Return-to-Duty process.
Additionally, any offer of employment will be contingent upon the applicant receiving a negative result on a pre-employment drug test.

Nice To Haves

Dependable
Good problem solver
Have a positive attitude
Good communicator
Team player
Have a willingness to learn

Responsibilities

Operates the wastewater and water treatment plants to meet the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Permits.
Operates the distribution and collection systems to meet the State of Alaska DEC Regulations.
Troubleshoots equipment and makes all necessary repairs.
Informs Utility Manager of plant or system performance and any repairs that need to be made or equipment that is down for repairs.
Operates collection, distribution, wells, and wastewater treatment plant equipment; including, but not limited to: incline screw pumps, belt filter press, screens, grit handling systems, flumes, clarifiers, aeration basins, blowers, chlorination equipment, ultraviolet disinfection system, aerobic digester, conveyor belts, dump trucks, vactor truck and stand-by power plants.
Keeps all equipment clean and in operable condition.
Participates in decisions for the procurement of parts and supplies needed for operations, repair and maintenance of equipment; assists with procedures for the custody and accounting for these assets; conducts periodic inventory and prepares inventory reports.
Applies knowledge of the technical aspects of wastewater treatment plant systems, including primary treatment, secondary treatment, activated sludge, solids handling, disposal systems, disinfection systems, sampling/testing procedures and regulations.
Stays abreast of new treatment technologies and methods and best available technology.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations applicable to water, distribution, collection, and wastewater treatment systems.
Utilizes knowledge of electrical, instrumentation, plumbing and mechanical systems as they relate to the water/wastewater industry.
Uses gas and air monitoring equipment to ensure safe working environments.
Performs all tasks in a safe manner ensuring all safety policies and guidelines are followed.
Operates computers including data input and retrieving information.
Ability to use mathematical skills that apply to water and wastewater.
Expected to read and apply written instruction and to work with limited or general supervision.
Conducts private and public tours of the wastewater, wells, distribution, and collection systems.
Performs other related work tasks as directed including ground maintenance of facilities.
May be asked to work with other City departments as needed.
Collects samples and performs the following laboratory analysis: pH, temperatures, chlorine residuals (DPD Method), total suspended solids (SM 2540 D), settleable solids, volatile solids, fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand (SM 5210 B).
Logs all analysis and keeps accurate records.
Interprets data for process control decision and inputs into a computer data base and understands and practices quality control.
Ability to calculate the following: mean cell residence time, sludge volume index, detention time, BOD, F/M ratio, loading rates, gallons to pounds, mg/L to ug/L, chemical dosages and sludge age.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.