Water Plant Operator/Trainee

City of Dunedin•Dunedin, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision of a licensed operator, assists with and learns the daily practices and procedures of the City's reverse osmosis water production plant. Performs related work as required. Reports to the Water Shift Supervisor and or Water Plant Lead Operator.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License.
Must obtain “C” certification in Water Plant Operation within two (2) years of hire.
This is a Category A position for the purposes of Emergency Management. Employees in this category may be assigned to work a variety of schedules, including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations. Category A employees are required to stay on premises during a declared state of emergency, or as otherwise mandated.

Nice To Haves

Water Plant Operator Trainee - starting salary of $18.27 per hour. Requires FL Water Operator "C" license within 2 years of employment.
Water Plant Operator C - starting salary of $20.09 - $24.11 per hour (DOQ). Requires FL Water Operator "C" license & a minimum of 1 year of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
Water Plant Operator B - starting salary $22.10 - $26.52 per hour (DOQ). Requires FL Water Operator "B" license & a minimum of 3 years of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.
Water Plant Operator A - starting salary $24.31 - $29.17 per hour (DOQ). Requires FL Water Operator "A" license & a minimum of 5 years of verifiable work experience in drinking water treatment.

Responsibilities

Assists certified operators in the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of water treatment plant processes to ensure the production of safe, high-quality drinking water.
Performs routine inspections of treatment equipment, pumps, motors, valves, chemical feed systems, and other plant infrastructure, identifying and reporting operational issues in a timely manner.
Collects water samples and performs laboratory analyses in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Safely operates City vehicles to conduct water quality sampling, site inspections, and monitoring activities at remote facilities, treatment sites, and wellfield locations throughout the service area.
Performs chemical handling and feed system operations, including filling chemical storage tanks, monitoring feed rates, maintaining inventory levels, and ensuring compliance with all safety procedures and regulatory requirements.
Records operational data, laboratory results, maintenance activities, and process adjustments accurately and completely in plant logs, databases, and reporting systems.
Monitors plant performance through SCADA systems, instrumentation, and visual inspections, promptly reporting abnormal conditions to supervisory personnel.
Assists with preventive maintenance activities to support equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Learns and applies water treatment principles, operating procedures, safety practices, and regulatory requirements through on-the-job training and formal instruction.
Maintains compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements while performing assigned duties.
Assists in maintaining water treatment plant, all working areas, and administration building cleanliness, organization, and housekeeping standards to promote a safe, healthy, and efficient work environment.
Operates various equipment and machinery as required for daily tasks, including pumps, valves, motors, hoist, trucks, laboratory equipment, various hand and power tools, power tools, vehicles, and plant equipment safely and responsibly in the performance of assigned tasks.
Demonstrates initiative in learning plant systems, treatment processes, and regulatory requirements necessary to obtain and maintain the required operator certification.
Performs other related duties as assigned in support of plant operations and departmental objectives.
Performs routine office work as required, including but not limited to attending meetings, answering the telephone, cleaning, organizing, copying and filing documents, etc.
Performs related duties as required.