Water Plant Operator

City of Sweetwater • Sweetwater, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for the proper operations of the water treatment plant equipment and process control during an assigned shift. Responsibilities are both technical and non-technical which include record keeping, documenting information in the proper places and required forms to be submitted to the TCEQ. The plant operator also collects and performs analysis on water samples, at the plant location and through out the distribution system. Other responsibilities include maintaining and operating pumps, motors, chemical feeders, and all other equipment associated with plant and facility operations, listening for unusual noises, feeling for unusual vibrations, adjusting chemical feeders for the required dosage rates which require the use of calculators and strong math skills answering customer complaint calls and dispatching system repair crews by telephone. The plant operator must be able to understand and learn the operations of a "SCADA" system and perform some data entry in the system. Duties also include general maintenance at the plant and grounds, requiring mowing, edging, mopping, sweeping, etc. Each operator must participate in an on call rotation every three (3) weeks.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Possess or able to obtain within two year period a grade C Surface Water certification issued by the TCEQ
• Valid Texas Drivers License
• Home telephone
• Strong math skills
• Computer knowledge
• Knowledge of the operations of pumps, motors, chemical feed equipment
• Lab skills
• Water treatment concepts

Responsibilities

• Monitors all basin levels, gauges, charts, chemical feeders, pumps, motors, filters, grounds, and other related facilities.
• Keeps all records of lab results, lake gauge reports, temperatures, chlorine, flow charts, and any other operational data that may be required or requested.
• Complete a minimum of (5) rounds per (8) hour shift which consists of walking through and around the water plant and facilities, checking chemical feeder levels, adding chemicals if necessary (lifting from 50 to 100 pounds or more), checking pumps and motors for unusual noises and vibrations, water levels, etc. and signing required check-list forms.
• Must be able to calculate dosage rates and make proper adjustments for alum, chlorine, carbon, caustic, and ammonia feed rates to conform with the various flow rates.
• Perform routine water analysis in lab and understand the results.
• Monitors required TCEQ raw water samples for Oak Creek Lake.
• Keeps chemical feeders properly loaded and pumping at all times which may require repairing pumps, motors feeders, etc.
• Performs routine preventative maintenance on all associated equipment such as pumps, motors, feeders, valves, basins, etc.
• Maintains proper clearwell levels by using proper procedures to lower and raise these levels.
• Keeps assigned cleaning areas clean and orderly at all times which includes mopping, sweeping, dusting, emptying trash, etc.
• Reports equipment problems that cannot be repaired by the operator to the supervisor in a timely manner.
• Receives customer complaints and records all information (name, address, type of problem, call back number) and records this information.
• Quickly dispatches system repair crews.
• Maintains assigned ground-keeping responsibilities including mowing, weedeating, edging, picking up trash, etc.
• Keeps records of lake data and logs this information in proper places.
• Uses City vehicle to collect samples throughout distribution system according to TCEQ sampling methods.
• Assists in off-loading bulk chemicals during assigned shift or as requested.
• Must be on time for each assigned shift and if not able, call in a minimum of four (4) hours ahead of time to allow necessary arrangements.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Must work in cooperation with others.
• Must observe all work safely standards, working with hazardous chemicals, mowing, cleaning, while repairing various equipment, etc.
• Must be regular in attendance.
• Must have good communication skills and follow instructions closely.
• Must be willing to cross-train in all areas of the Water and Wastewater Industries.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED