Water O&M Technician - Laurel

WSSC Water•Laurel, MD

13d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves assisting with and performing various tasks related to water treatment and operations. The role progresses through different levels (Entry Level, Level I, Level II), with increasing responsibility and autonomy. Responsibilities include sample collection and analysis, equipment operation and maintenance, chemical handling and monitoring, record-keeping, and troubleshooting. The technician will work with a variety of equipment and chemicals to ensure the proper functioning of water treatment processes and maintain water quality according to regulatory standards. The role also involves training less experienced personnel at higher levels.

Requirements

High school or GED
Experience with water treatment processes and equipment.
Ability to perform chemical analyses.
Familiarity with SCADA systems and HMI.
Ability to operate motor vehicles and specialized equipment like forklifts and tractors.
Proficiency in using computers for data entry and process control.
Ability to climb into basins up to 30-foot depths and use rigging equipment.
Basic plumbing repair skills.
Basic repair skills for pneumatic and hydraulic control systems.
Ability to use TEAMS / CMMS for record keeping and work order management.
Ability to handle material shipments and inventory.
Ability to perform preventive maintenance tasks including cleaning and lubrication.
Understanding of safety equipment usage.

Nice To Haves

Experience with "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater."
Experience with overhauling specialty valves.
Experience with solids dewatering processes.
Experience with training less experienced personnel.

Responsibilities

Assists with the collection and analysis of samples of plant processes and receiving waters.
Assists with the operation and monitoring of equipment and processes, with potential exposure to chemical, electrical, thermal, and noise hazards.
Assists with operating and maintaining equipment such as filters, chemical feeders, belt presses, gravity thickeners, augers, and mixers.
Assists with evaluating the performance of mechanical equipment and conveyance systems.
Assists with interpreting conformance of test procedures to “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
Monitors Chemical Treatment Processes and makes adjustments as directed.
Assists with handling material shipments and inventory, and locating spare parts from inventory system.
Assists with overhauling specialty valves or swap out valves in the plant.
Climbs into basins to include 30-foot depths, using rigging equipment to lift equipment.
Assists with conducting general plumbing repairs such as compression fitting replacement, pipe joining, and cutting for various pipe materials.
Assists with making basic repairs for pneumatic and hydraulic control systems on valves and process equipment.
Uses TEAMS / CMMS to create record data from parameters gathered, work orders and other administrative tasks such as accessing backlog, adding material to work orders, and finding parts in WSSC Water warehouses.
Operates WSSC Water motor vehicles and other specialized equipment such as forklift and tractor, as required.
Maintains records, performs calculations, and assists in preparing reports.
Inspects motors for heat, noise and vibration and performs motor lubrication and cleaning.
Calibrates UV sensors, isolates UV reactors, and changes UV lamps and quartz sleeves.
Uses the computer for data entry and process control.
Conducts proper operation of solids dewatering processes during off shifts.
Performs periodic tests (and calculates daily averages) for chlorine, pH and turbidity.
Adjusts water treatment chemical dosages as directed by more senior O&M Technicians and records actions.
Draws samples of water for laboratory analysis; performs routine chemical analyses of water undergoing treatment in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Unloads and changes chlorine cylinders; inspects chlorine building; connects cylinders to main manifold line and checks for leaks.
Receives and monitors chemical deliveries and interacts with delivery driver for water treatment chemicals.
Monitors raw, settled, filter effluent and treated water turbidity and filter backwash processes; Starts and stops large pumps.
Makes minor repairs to pumps and purification equipment.
Maintains communication with control center.
Performs weekly and monthly preventive maintenance for process equipment, in accordance with established schedule including cleaning, lubrication, and oil/grease changes.
Assists in identifying factors that could cause water treatment process upsets, particularly during abnormal conditions.
Coordinates work of and trains less experienced personnel during shift operations or during the performance of major tasks.
Closely monitors and controls water treatment processes and equipment through SCADA system Human Machine Interface ( HMI ).
Coordinates water treatment chemical deliveries to ensure offloading to appropriate storage tanks with adequate capacities.
Oversees the unloading and change out of chlorine cylinders; inspects chlorine building; loads; connects cylinders to main manifold line and checks for leaks while ensuring appropriate safety equipment is in use at all times.
Troubleshoots abnormal conveyance system and treatment process operations and conditions.
Performs preventive action to avoid process upsets caused by unusual circumstances, loss of power, and abnormal plant operations.