Utility Plant Relief Operator

City of Hamilton, Ohio•Fairfield, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This internal position is open only to current City of Hamilton employees who are members of IUOE, Local 20. The Utility Plant Relief Operator fills normal and short-notice vacancies in operational classes within the Water Production Division. When not covering a vacancy, the operator works with Maintenance or the Administrative Group as directed by Division Management, with a usual schedule of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Vacancy coverage may involve 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. shifts. The role involves operating and maintaining water production plants and facilities to treat and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use. The operator is responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of facilities on relief and shift coverage, including solids contact and conventional lime-softening facilities, wells, storage vessels, and booster stations. Work includes keeping mechanical equipment in operating condition, maintaining pumping pressures and water flows, and managing levels in reservoirs, elevated tanks, plant storage, and process equipment. Employees work under the general direction of the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, consult them about unusual problems, keep operational records, and take readings. The base salary depends on the operating license held at appointment: License I, $69,264–$78,104; License II, $74,173–$82,555; License III, $78,582–$86,174. First-shift coverage includes base pay plus $35.71 per day while on standby; second-shift coverage includes base pay plus $3.00 per hour. Holiday work is paid at eight hours plus double time.

Requirements

Pass the State of Ohio EPA Class I Water Supply Operator certification test within six months of the hiring date.
High school diploma or GED equivalent; this will be verified for finalists.
Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods used in water treatment and pumping operations.
Considerable knowledge of mechanical and electrical equipment used in water filtration and pumping plants.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions and equipment.
Knowledge of proper methods for lubricating and maintaining plant equipment.
Skill with hand, bench, and power tools appropriate to assigned work.
Knowledge of water chemistry and equipment used to measure it.
Ability to calibrate measuring equipment and interpret results to make changes that produce high-quality water.
Ability to pass a color-acuity test required for sample analysis and color recognition.
Ability to perform formulas and equations required for reports, logs, and sample analysis.
Considerable experience operating and maintaining electrically driven pumping equipment.
Compliance with applicable City of Hamilton administrative rules and requirements, including residency requirements as determined by the City.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a Class I, II, or III Water Supply Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of Ohio EPA.

Responsibilities

Maintain, repair, and adjust water pumps, chemical-feed machines, and other water-plant equipment.
Inspect mechanical equipment, identify flaws or defects, and take prompt remedial measures.
Take readings, keep routine records, prepare reports, and maintain detailed logs of plant operations, system levels, and activities.
Plan, schedule, and supervise the work of others.
Use a computer and standard or customized software to prepare reports and monitor, control, and balance plant and remote facilities.
Learn and follow overtime and call-in procedures and respond to overtime or call-ins as needed.
Operate chemical-feed equipment, mixers, scraper drives, centrifugal pumps, control panels, chlorine dioxide generators, chemical feeders, filters, and other plant equipment.
Maintain assigned housekeeping areas according to established cleaning policies.
Monitor incoming water and add treatment chemicals as necessary.
Collect and analyze water samples for quality assurance and control; test for acidity, color, and impurities.
Record chemical residuals, turbidity, water pressure, and other operational data.
Monitor deep wells and determine the number needed to supply raw water during periods of varying demand.
Regulate deep-well and high-service pumps for efficient plant operation.
Operate raw-water and finished-water pumps to maintain safe levels in settling basins, clear wells, reservoirs, and elevated tanks.
Operate motors, pumps, and valves to regulate raw-water flow into the treatment plant.
Operate filters, periodically backwash them, and wash filter walls.
Monitor reclaim-basin levels and operate pumps to reclaim settled wash water.
Add specified chemicals or adjust automatic chemical-feed devices to disinfect, deodorize, clarify, coagulate, or reduce the acidity of water.
Start agitators to mix chemicals and allow impurities to settle; regulate water flow through filter beds.
Pump finished potable water into transmission mains and adjust panel controls to regulate flow rates, head pressure, and water elevation.
Repair and lubricate equipment as required and participate in general mechanical plant maintenance as operating requirements permit.
Inspect machinery and apparatus and monitor and record the operation of the electrical transformer room and related equipment.
Change chlorine tanks, transfer dry and liquid chemicals to day bins and tanks, fill fluoride bins, and monitor chemical deliveries and storage.
Collect and prepare lime samples.
Perform Maintenance assignments under the Maintenance Crew Leader when operational shift coverage is not needed.
Routinely inspect and maintain remote-site facilities.
Manage multiple projects and tasks, meet deadlines, solve job-related problems, communicate clearly, cooperate with the team, adapt to changing demands, and complete assignments with little or no supervision.
Follow safe work practices and look out for personal and coworker safety.
Perform related work as required.