W/WW Operator-Apprentice, I, II, III, IV

City of Fargo•Fargo, ND

4h•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Operator Apprentice, I, II, III, IV performs operational and maintenance activities at the water treatment facility, including the lime softening and membrane plants, raw water facilities, water distribution facilities, and residuals facility. The role monitors equipment operating conditions; assists with daily operational strategies for water flow and source selection; supports plant maintenance; and coordinates routine equipment maintenance and repairs. The operator performs or arranges operations, maintenance, and repairs, and reports conditions requiring attention to support proper facility operation. The position works in pairs with other operators on rotating day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts. The role is accountable for the quality and accuracy of its own work to help ensure compliance with EPA water quality regulations and other operational targets. Depending on experience and expertise, the operator provides training to other operators and water utility staff. The position operates and maintains high-value equipment and may serve as a team leader while performing the same or similar work as employees under its line of authority. Hourly pay depends on licensure level: Apprentice/no certification, $24.44; Grade I, $28.50; Grade II, $30.80; Grade III, $33.23; and Grade IV, $35.89 to $37.93 per hour, with the Grade IV step determined by experience (DOE). Employment is contingent on a successful background check, pre-placement medical evaluation, and drug screen. The job description states that the position is at will and that duties may be added or changed at the City Administrator’s discretion.

Requirements

Apprentice: Completion of high school or equivalent; no North Dakota Water Treatment System Operator Certificate.
Operator I: Pass the North Dakota Grade 1 Water Treatment System exam. Eligibility requires high school completion or equivalent and at least one year of acceptable operation of a Class I or higher facility/system, or an education-and-experience combination satisfactory to the NDDH.
Operator II: Pass the North Dakota Grade 2 Water Treatment System exam. Eligibility may be met through a four-year college degree and at least one year of acceptable operation of a Class I or higher facility/system, including one year in direct responsible charge; two years of post-high-school education and at least two years of acceptable operation of a Class I or higher facility/system, including one year in direct responsible charge; high school completion or equivalent and at least three years of acceptable operation of a Class I or higher facility/system, including one year in direct responsible charge; or an education-and-experience combination satisfactory to the NDDH.
Operator III: Pass the North Dakota Grade 3 Water Treatment System exam. Eligibility may be met through a four-year degree and at least two years of acceptable operation of a Class II or higher facility/system, including two years in direct responsible charge; two years of post-high-school education and at least three years of acceptable operation of a Class II or higher facility/system, including two years in direct responsible charge; high school completion or equivalent and at least four years of acceptable operation of a Class II or higher facility/system, including two years in direct responsible charge; or an education-and-experience combination satisfactory to the NDDH.
Operator IV: Pass the North Dakota Grade 4 Water Treatment System exam. Eligibility may be met through a four-year college degree and at least three years of acceptable operation of a Class III or higher facility/system, including two years in direct responsible charge; two years of post-high-school education and at least four years of acceptable operation of a Class III or higher facility/system, including two years in direct responsible charge; high school completion or equivalent and at least five years of acceptable operation of a Class III or higher facility/system, including two years in direct responsible charge; or an education-and-experience combination satisfactory to the NDDH.
Accredited technical training in water/wastewater treatment-process operation and prior experience operating and maintaining pumps, motors, and related machinery, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
Valid driver’s license.
Possession of a North Dakota Grade I–IV Water Treatment System Operator Certificate as required by operator pay grade.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations concerning treatment-plant operations.
Knowledge of proper operation and maintenance of treatment-process equipment, including pumps and motors.
Knowledge of confined-space entry and hazardous-materials handling as related to treatment processes.
Knowledge of sampling and sample-testing procedures and of water, wastewater, and sludge treatment processes and process control.
Ability to instruct and train other workers and perform mechanical equipment maintenance and repair.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and read and write English sufficiently to maintain logs and records.
Ability to observe and interpret process-control changes and determine necessary adjustments; operate plant equipment and perform operating activities.
Basic computer-use skills and ability to learn the water/wastewater control computer system.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Successfully complete a background check, pre-placement medical evaluation, and drug screen.
Meet the physical demands of heavy work, including lifting or moving equipment and chemical bags, climbing into basins and ladders up to 25 feet, and exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.

Responsibilities

Assist the supervisor with organizing work-unit activities, including prioritizing and delegating work, completing reports, recommending equipment, ordering supplies, scheduling, and coordinating with other work units.
Assist in developing and documenting standard operating procedures.
Coordinate follow-up work with supervisors at shift changes.
Maintain records and prepare periodic reports on work-unit activities and equipment operation to support information needs and compliance with department rules and state and federal regulations.
Assist the Maintenance Supervisor with major repairs as assigned; identify equipment malfunctions and troubleshoot and diagnose problems.
Observe and listen to equipment to identify malfunctions or parts needing replacement; operate equipment and perform minor repairs, or call maintenance staff.
Assess and troubleshoot membrane and reverse osmosis equipment, perform fiber repairs in the membrane plant’s Ultrafiltration system, and clean or replace treatment-process filters as directed.
Operate automated and manual processes, pumps, engines, and other process equipment to control water flow through the lime softening and/or membrane plant and meet targets and regulatory requirements.
Perform ongoing laboratory analyses and tests, collect samples, analyze results, determine necessary chemical or equipment adjustments, adjust chemical feed rates, and monitor equipment levels and flow.
While performing the same or similar work as employees under the line of authority, serve as a team leader using informed and independent judgment.
Collaborate with the responsible supervisor and recommend performance-review content for assigned employees.
Communicate professionally and maintain working relationships; receive calls from the public and provide basic information when approached.
Provide building security during the night shift.
Supervise the unloading and storage of delivered chemicals.
Follow safety guidelines and department and city rules; use required protective equipment and safe work practices; address controllable unsafe conditions and report them to the responsible supervisor or safety representative.
Monitor daily water-supply requirements, feed pumps, water use, storage, weather, and telemetry data; adjust pumpage and chemical adjustments as necessary to meet targets.
Add chemicals manually and adjust chemical feeds.
Perform other duties and activities as assigned.