Wastewater Plant Operator

About the position

Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient operation of the wastewater treatment plant. This includes, among other tasks, lab testing, decision making, use of SCADA, preparation of reports, operating equipment and communicating with the rest of the team.

Responsibilities

• Control and operate automatic and semi-automatic machines and related equipment including pumps, engines, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, chemical feed and odor control and vacuum filters used to decontaminate waste water by settling, aeration and sludge digestion.
• Monitor control panels and adjust valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate flow.
• Monitor flow meters, gauges, flow ratios, pressures and related controls through instrument panels, computer terminals and programmable logic control units in assigned areas.
• Monitor and record operating conditions observations and data in area shift log.
• Use SCADA for process monitoring and systems control.
• Ensure conformance to process specifications.
• Ensure compliance with the ECA’s and client objectives.
• Diagnose basic operational problems and take corrective action per procedure.
• Verify and report suspected malfunctions and variances to the supervisor and take corrective actions.
• Perform routine and preventative maintenance and maintenance related items as assigned.
• Perform manual labor including filling and emptying of machine bins and cleaning equipment, facilities and grounds as required.
• Perform minor maintenance including, but not limited to, routine preventive maintenance, lubrication and minor adjustments.
• Operate vehicles for plant operational purposes.
• Practice good housekeeping in the assigned area and properly dispose of waste according to safety and environmental policies.
• Perform field tests (chemical, physical and biological) in order to pace chemical dosages for process and odor control units or alter unit processes.
• Sample wastewater, sludge and gasses (odor control, digester, etc.) according to schedule.
• Prepare chemical solutions and services automatic samplers.
• Monitor process chemical supplies and recommend reorder.
• Perform routine lab tests.
• Perform routine instrument calibration for portable meters including, but not limited to, dissolved oxygen, pH, H2S, percent oxygen.

Requirements

• OWWCO - WWT certification: must hold a valid class wastewater treatment and class collection certification and have the ability to obtain certification at the highest level of the facilities.
• Must have a valid driver's license with a safe driving record.
• Must be or become proficient in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, preferably have some trade licensing (eg. Millwright).
• Minimum 5 years experience as a operator.
• Attention to details and capability to accurately follow procedures.
• Analytical skills to understand data and graphs.
• Capability to make decisions based on data.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing (operational, process, safety and quality Instructions).
• Ability to perform basic math.
• Good use of the English language.
• Deadline oriented.
• Work well with others.
• Good hand eye coordination.
• Reliable and dependable on start and finish times as it impacts the operations.

Nice-to-haves

• Other certifications are highly desirable: first aid, confined space, etc.
• Work toward higher level water treatment certification.
• May perform more advanced functions as part of training and development.

Benefits

• A very competitive compensation, pension and benefits package.
• Internal and external training and coaching programs.
• Multi-disciplinary work teams and a health and safety oriented work environment.