Wastewater Plant Operator I/II

City of Turlock•Turlock, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Turlock is hiring a Wastewater Plant Operator I/II to perform semi-skilled work operating equipment in a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift. The position is in the Turlock City Employees Association bargaining unit and is subject to overtime, call-back, and standby assignments. Wastewater Plant Operator I is the entry-level classification. Operators initially work under direct supervision, handle routine operations, and receive close supervision as trainees to ensure compliance with department, City, and State operating standards. Wastewater Plant Operator II generally works under general supervision and performs journey-level operations with greater complexity and independence. Advancement to Operator II requires performance of the full range of duties, meeting the class qualifications, and possession of a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California. The Operator II reports to the Water Quality Control Supervisor; technical or functional supervision may also be provided by higher-level plant operations personnel. Operators control wastewater, sludge, and effluent flows and treatment processes; monitor equipment and operating conditions; maintain plant machinery and facilities; collect samples and conduct routine laboratory analyses; enter and interpret operational data; and perform grounds maintenance. The role may include assisting with training less experienced operators and operating treatment plant vehicles and stationary machinery. Applicants must meet the experience and training requirements for the applicable level. A valid California driver's license is required at appointment and must be maintained. A Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification must be obtained within 18 months of employment. The work requires substantial mobility and manual labor, operation of tools, vehicles, and heavy equipment, tolerance of temperature fluctuations, lifting, and climbing ladders up to 40 feet. Employees serve a 12-month probationary period. Final appointment is contingent on reference review, a medical examination including drug/alcohol screening, hearing and vision exams, and fingerprinting.

Requirements

Wastewater Plant Operator I: One year of experience working with mechanical equipment and tools.
Wastewater Plant Operator II: Two years of experience as a Wastewater Plant Operator in a position comparable to Wastewater Plant Operator I with the City of Turlock, or experience necessary to qualify for a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification under Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations.
High school diploma or GED and six college units or CEUs in a related field or general education subject, or education necessary to qualify for a Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification under Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations.
Valid, appropriate California driver's license at appointment, maintained as a condition of employment.
Obtain a Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification within 18 months of employment.
Knowledge of entry-level wastewater operations principles, wastewater treatment systems, basic mechanical and electrical systems, safe practices around gases, electricity, and chemicals, hazardous sewage-treatment gases, automated treatment equipment, and City plant-operation policies and procedures.
Ability to learn wastewater plant operation and machinery maintenance; make routine repairs and adjustments to motors, pumps, and other equipment; operate a personal computer to track plant data; and read meters and gauges and respond appropriately.
Ability to physically perform hard manual labor; use tools for general repairs and adjustments; collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests; and operate loaders and dump trucks.
Ability to access and interpret data from a SCADA computer system and related software.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate clearly orally and in writing; and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to perform all plant operations without direct supervision and monitor and operate the facility without aid of other plant operators.
Physical ability to see well enough to read, write, observe, and operate tools, vehicles, and heavy equipment; hear well enough for radio, telephone, and in-person communication; walk, bend, stand, crouch, or climb for extended periods; tolerate extreme temperature fluctuations; lift equipment; and climb ladders up to 40 feet.
Pass the required reference review, medical examination including drug/alcohol screening, hearing exam, vision exam, and fingerprinting as part of appointment requirements.

Responsibilities

Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control wastewater, sludge, and effluent flow and processing.
Monitor gauges, meters, and control panels; observe operating conditions and interpret readings and test results to determine processing requirements.
Operate valves and gates, and start and stop pumps, engines, and electric motors to control and adjust flows and treatment processes.
Operate and maintain boilers; perform routine maintenance on valves, tanks, related equipment, and facilities.
Enter plant operation data into a computer and plot operational trends.
Perform routine plant grounds maintenance, including painting and landscaping.
Connect and disconnect chlorine cylinders.
Operate treatment plant vehicles and stationary machinery safely and efficiently.
Collect samples and perform routine laboratory tests and analyses.
Assist in supervising and training less experienced operators as assigned.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Operate the facility without direct supervision and, as required, without aid from other plant operators.
Operate loaders and dump trucks and perform skilled and semi-skilled wastewater operations duties.

Benefits

Eleven paid holidays and three floating holidays.
Paid vacation that increases with years of service.
Sick leave accrual of eight hours for each month worked.
CalPERS retirement plans, subject to member status and eligibility: 2.7% at 55 for qualifying classic members or 2% at 62 for new members.
City matching of employee deferred compensation contributions up to 0.5% of base salary for each pay period in which the employee contributes.
Deposit of 2% of base payroll into an individual Retiree Health Savings Vantage Care account.
Health, prescription, vision, and dental insurance plans for employees and dependents.
Continuous service pay beginning at the tenth year and increasing in subsequent service-year milestones, as described in the posting.
Associate, bachelor's, and master's degree incentive pay, if the degree is not a minimum qualification.
Educational reimbursement program.
Computer loan program upon completion of probation.