Wastewater Operator 1/2 - Residuals Team

City of Eugene•Eugene, OR

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Eugene Wastewater Division is looking to add a member to their Wastewater Residuals Team. The Wastewater Operator performs a variety of operational and maintenance duties at the Biosolids Management Facilities, Biocycle Farm, and Beneficial Reuse Site with a focus on in-the-field activities; including coordinating biosolids and recycled water applications; Belt Filter Press operation; facultative lagoon operation; process control activities; equipment maintenance and light repairs; monitoring and controlling irrigation practices; heavy and light equipment operation; record keeping; and report generation. May be required to: rotate on safety committee, EMS committee, or other roles dealing with safety and welfare of the Wastewater Division; to work overtime on an assigned basis or as deemed necessary by the City during an emergency situation; work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, or holidays. Applicants should expect to work rotating weekend days, paid as overtime, during the processing/irrigating season (spring/summer).

Requirements

Associate's degree in environmental science or related field.
Wastewater Operator 1: One (1) year experience in wastewater treatment, water treatment, or equivalent.
Wastewater Operator 2: Two (2) years of experience in wastewater treatment, water treatment, or equivalent.
Ability to obtain within probationary period, or possession of, a State of Oregon DEQ Wastewater Systems Operator Certification, Grade I (for Operator 1).
State of Oregon DEQ Wastewater Systems Operator Certification, Grade II, Grade III or IV highly preferred (for Operator 2).
Incumbent must obtain Grade III Certification prior to advancing to Salary Step 5 on the six-step salary range.
Valid Oregon driver’s license (or the ability to obtain by date of hire); must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City’s standard.
Knowledge of effective operational methods needed to operate and maintain facultative lagoons, center pivot irrigation systems, hardhose reel irrigation systems, belt filter presses, pumps, sampling devices, and other related equipment.
Knowledge of solids processing, including theory and operation of thickening, stabilization processes, dewatering, and recycling of final product.
Knowledge of biosolids and recycled water land application methods and procedures.
Knowledge of nutrient cycles in soils and crops as they relate to biosolids and recycled water land application programs.
Knowledge of general farm practices related to growing schedule and harvesting practices of pastures, seed, forage, hybrid poplars, and other farm crops.
Knowledge of principles of chemistry and biology as applied to wastewater pollutants and their impacts of treatment processes and solids contamination.
Ability to understand, interpret, and implement laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines, as defined in local, State, and Federal regulations.
Ability to read and understand complex blueprints, piping, and schematics.
Ability to plan, organize, and perform all routine process control tests currently performed in Residuals Management work section including all mathematical calculations related to the tests.
Ability to accurately determine, through mathematical calculations, appropriate hydraulic and organic loading rates of biosolids and reclaimed water to land application sites, Biocycle Farm, and facultative lagoons.
Ability to follow written, technically complex equipment operational procedures (such as operations and maintenance manuals); read and understand complex blueprints, piping, and schematics.
Ability to make effective judgments and decisions regarding non-routine operational duties such as equipment breakdowns, changing priorities, and emergencies.
Ability to instruct and train others in operation of equipment and process strategies and procedures.
Ability to maintain technically complex records including log entries, laboratory data, flow data, daily monitoring reports, biosolids, and reclaimed water application records.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely on technical environmental issues as related to biosolids and recycled water processing, land application, groundwater monitoring, and agronomic loading in written and oral communication to a variety of audiences.
Ability to evaluate problems with procedures, equipment, or operational systems and remedy situation using prior experience or problem solving techniques with minimal supervision.
Ability to operate and maintain a variety of specialized equipment utilized in Residuals Management work section.
Ability to prepare technically complex written reports.
Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

Nice To Haves

State of Oregon DEQ Wastewater Systems Operator Certification, Grade II, Grade III or IV highly preferred.
Incumbent must obtain Grade III Certification prior to advancing to Salary Step 5 on the six-step salary range.

Responsibilities

Performs operations, maintenance, and inspection of biosolids and recycled water processing and land application sites and facilities.
Responsible for assigned areas; makes necessary equipment adjustments as established by operations and maintenance procedures; interprets process data and makes adjustments to meet targets set by process guidelines; makes recommendations to Residuals Supervisor for process changes.
Contributes equally to work load; works under direction with initiative and high standards of quality and productivity.
In absence of Residuals Supervisor or Lead Operator, makes decisions regarding site operations, biosolids applications, irrigation scheduling, lagoon loading, emergency start-up and shut down of equipment, prioritizing work assignments, coordinating requests from other City and Wastewater Division work sections.
Under direction of Residuals Supervisor, may develop and/or modify operational procedures used in Residuals Management work section.
May assist in groundwater, soil, plant tissue, surface water, and lysimeter monitoring programs; collects samples from treatment processes for process control and permit monitoring; may assist in scheduling of sampling and monitoring programs.
Enters and retrieves data from personal computers and process workstations; utilizes various software applications to operate and monitor equipment and processes, interpret trends, monitor loading rates, and maintain biosolids and recycled water application records.
Operates laboratory instruments such as dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, analytical balances, steam tables, and moisture balances; calibrates, maintains, and trouble shoots issues with instruments.
May be assigned special projects of a technical and complex nature including biosolids cost analysis, public relations activities, manpower evaluations, technical report writing, training modules, safety research, developing equipment specifications, and other related projects.
Performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs to equipment; troubleshoots and isolates problems in malfunctioning equipment as necessary; follows appropriate safety procedures when isolating equipment including tagging and lock-out requirements.
Maintains a positive working relationship with biosolids and recycled water customers, neighbors of application sites, and contract farmers.
May operate a variety of specialized equipment for recycled water and biosolids processing, distribution, and application such as: dredge, mixers, farm tractors, dump trucks, spreaders, loaders, center pivots, and hard hose reels.
May train Wastewater employees in operational techniques, equipment operation, and proper safety procedures used in Residuals Management work section.
May be assigned work in wet wells, manholes, or other confined spaces.
Cleans and maintains work areas as required; responsible for keeping equipment neat, clean, and properly stored; maybe asked to perform minor custodial work as required.
Supports and respects diversity in the workplace.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
BE AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY ALARM CALL-OUTS AND RESPOND TO WORK SITE WITHIN 45 MINUTES.
WORK OVERTIME, ROTATING SHIFTS, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS.