Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator

City of Northampton•Northampton, MA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for skilled technical work in the operation, maintenance and repair of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and its ancillary sewer, leachate and flood control pumping facilities and equipment. The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations. The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work. Relationships are primarily with co-workers and involve giving and receiving factual information about the work. Ordinary courtesy and tact are required. Contacts with the public may be required on an occasional basis.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in science or related field
One to three years of experience in the operation, maintenance and repair of a wastewater treatment plant or similar industrial facility
Equivalent combination of education and experience
A valid driver’s license is required
Knowledge of wastewater treatment process
Knowledge of federal and state regulations concerning wastewater treatment
Knowledge of the methods and techniques for conducting wastewater treatment analysis
Ability to read and interpret plans, drawings, gauges and recording devices
Ability to use tools and equipment
Ability to perform laboratory analysis
Mechanical skills
Computer skills
Recordkeeping skills

Nice To Haves

Other licenses are required after date of hire and are defined in the NAME Union contract.
$2.50 per hour for 6C license

Responsibilities

Operates and maintains the Wastewater Treatment Plant and its ancillary pumping facilities and equipment.
Checks equipment and inspects recording instrumentation to ensure all systems are operating normally; makes control adjustments to the Plant processes as needed.
Assists in operation of Flood Control pumping facilities as needed.
Responsible for maintaining inventory of chemicals and supplies.
Operates and maintains all aeration tanks, grit tanks, digesters, clarifiers and other Plant equipment.
Obtains wastewater samples and performs laboratory analyses as directed; maintains operational records.
Collects, records and interprets readings of instruments monitoring treatment processes; maintains operational records.
Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on Wastewater Treatment Plant equipment and systems.
Assists in training new operators.
Understands and follows all safety regulations.
May be required to perform responsibilities of subordinate positions.
Performs similar or related work as required.