Wastewater Operator I

City of High Point • Jamestown, NC

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Wastewater Operator I or II performs skilled and technical work in the operation and maintenance of a computer-controlled wastewater treatment plant. Duties include monitoring and adjusting plant processes, operating SCADA systems, collecting and analyzing samples, performing minor equipment repairs, and maintaining facility cleanliness and safety. This entry-level role offers on-the-job training and involves both technical and hands-on work to ensure the safe and efficient treatment of wastewater in compliance with regulatory standards. The position reports to the Plant Supervisor.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must have possession of an appropriate driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina.
• Must be able to work schedules based on twelve-hour days or nights whichever the case may be, with rotations every month.
• Must also be able to work other schedules as required (such as 5 day – 8 hr. shifts).
• Sit for State exam within six months of completing Wastewater Operator School or forfeit exam reimbursement benefit.
• Must be able to obtain a Grade II NC Wastewater Operator Certification within two (2) years of employment to keep the job (Wastewater Operator I).
• Must have a Grade III NC Wastewater Operator Certification (Wastewater Operator II).
• Must have a minimum of four years actual operating experience at a Grade IV Biological Wastewater Facility (Wastewater Operator II).
• Must have excellent knowledge of computer and SCADA system, and the ability to adjust SCADA program per plant requirements (Wastewater Operator II).
• Must have experience in all phases of plant operations and the ability to communicate this knowledge and experience to new employees (Wastewater Operator II).
• Reasoning Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to work tasks, practical situations and requests made by supervisor. Comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in an expedient manner. Interpret data from laboratory. Discern between normal and abnormal operations of plant processes. Good judgment is necessary.
• Math Using Mathematics: Essential in performing laboratory analysis.
• Language Read: Ability to read safety and other manuals, instructions, directions, equipment readings and other documents relating to job.
• Language Write: Necessary to complete required reports.
• Language Speak: Ability to be conversant in voice and diction to participate in discussions with other employees and supervisor in person, over PA system, telephone and two-way radio.
• Formal education, which includes Algebra, and science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) with completion of high school diploma or GED required.
• Hearing/Speaking - Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to converse with internal and external customers including co-workers, citizens, and applicants.
• Visual Abilities – the ability to perceive via eyesight is required for this position: Acuity, far – clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Must be able to see from a distance when administering and observing employment tests, operating a motor vehicle, or addressing an audience. Acuity, near – clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Must be able to see work-related business documents close at hand. Depth perception – Three-dimensional vision and the ability to judge distance and space relationships. Field of Vision – the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are focused on one point. Must be able to see a wide span of area. Accommodation – Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly.
• Physical Strength – degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include: Light Work Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or Exerting up to 10 pounds of force frequently; and A negligible amount of force constantly to handle or move materials related to the position.
• Type of Physical Demands Reaching - Extending the hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s). Fingering - Picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingers primarily rather than the entire hand or arm.
• Physical Demands Medium to Heavy exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical demand requirements usually require walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, climbing and stretching, although worker does sit on occasions. There is significant use of arms, hands, legs and feet.
• Reaching - Extending the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction).
• Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands (fingering not involved).
• Fingering - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with fingers primarily (rather than the whole hand or arm as in handling). All are requirements of this job.
• Hearing/Speaking Talking - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word. necessary to converse with other employees, supervisor and visitors. Hearing - Perceiving nature of sounds by ear. Both are necessary to converse with other employees, supervisor and visitors. Worker often uses the telephone, PA system and two-way radio.
• Visual – Recommended Guidelines The ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye. Acuity, far - Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Must be able to see various buildings and tanks from a distance to monitor activity and ensure only authorized personnel, or persons escorted by authorized personnel, are on the premises for safety reasons. Both eyes 20/25 - R 20/30 - L 20/30 corrected Acuity, near - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Must be able to see hand tools, instruments, panel board, sample containers, etc. Both eyes 20/22 corrected Depth Perception - Three-dimensional vision. Ability to judge distance and space relationships to see objects where and as they actually are. Must be able to judge distances so as to use both hands in performing different tasks at the same time and in seeing entire plant area and the buildings located throughout. Depth Perception - 4 Field of Vision - Area that can be seen up and down or to right or left while eyes are fixed on a given point. Must be able to see wide span of area to cover grounds, and ensure safety, while looking at a given object or instrument. Accommodation - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This is especially important when doing near-point work while glancing up to check entire work area. Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly at equipment or people who are located at varying distances.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's degree in Wastewater or related field, knowledge and experience in mechanics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Makes regular tours of plant, which requires a considerable amount of climbing of stairs and walking, to inspect process operations including bar screens, mixers, valves, pumps, aerators, settling basins, filters, clarifiers, effluent filters, blowers, pressure gauges, etc., for proper functioning.
• Records instrument readings in laboratory and throughout the plant, makes necessary adjustments including opening or closing valves and switching process equipment on or off.
• Collect samples as required and runs required laboratory analysis which includes calibrating and operating the instrumentation used in the analysis.
• Operate complex computer controlled equipment.
• Cleans pumps, motors and other equipment.
• Reports defects to proper personnel.
• Operates skid steer and other equipment as required.
• Performs minor maintenance activities (PM’s, repairs, replace light bulbs, vehicle clean up).
• Assists in cleaning different units of treatment, buildings, and other odd jobs as needed and maintains grounds as necessary.
• Ensures that all work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies.
• Assists with on-the-job training of Wastewater Operator I new hires (Wastewater Operator II).
• Maintains various recordkeeping and reporting forms (Wastewater Operator II).

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans
• PTO earned within first year
• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement Plan
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one
• vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees