Water Process Specialist - Data Systems

City of Fargo•Fargo, ND

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Water Process Specialist performs various activities to optimize water treatment processes related to water quality, operations costs, and overall workflow. Toward this goal of optimization and efficiency, this position will coordinate with others and perform functions in several areas of water system operation: operations, maintenance, laboratory, instrumentation, and control. Incumbents are responsible for investigating new approaches, studying and analyzing process and performance data, and implementing ideas where the benefit/cost ratio is favorable. This position will train and mentor others in the water utility and assist other City personnel when help is necessary. Incumbent will facilitate the implementation of changes within the water utility or those recommended by City Administration, including new software, regulatory programs, policy changes, and technical advances in water system operation. The Water Process Specialist is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his/her own work. Incumbent serves to optimize and assist to establish benchmarks for water operational performance: water quality, cost, and workflow. The position is accountable for bringing innovative ideas, problem solving, and independent decision making at a high skill level in work tasks and demonstrate understanding of complex interdependent systems. The position is responsible for assisting, mentoring, and training other water utility staff with the intention of benefiting the overall water utility operation. Cost avoidance and efficiency strategies in the Water Utility result in over $1 million dollars savings annually. The annual operations budget for Water Treatment Plant is over $15 million dollars. The Water Process Specialist – Data Systems has general assignment, but not limited to, programming, troubleshooting and managing several Water Treatment Plant computer systems. This is for equipment control, data analysis, fulfilling data requests, or making computer system modifications per request of other WTP personnel. The general direction is to optimize operations and promote efficient, safe, and consistent operation. Incumbent will cross-train in Lime Softening processes and Membrane processes. The incumbent also serves as back-up to the Control Systems Manager for the Water Utility for minor edits, troubleshooting, maintenance, and testing of computer control systems. The computer systems of particular interest for optimization are: Hach Water Information Management Solutions (WIMS). Ignition Supervisory Control and Date Acquisition (SCADA) system Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) platforms utilized by the Water Utility. Microsoft Excel charts, graphs, formulas, and other data analysis features. Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Sensus water metering system information and data analysis. Incumbent is also tasked with working on startups of new treatment process systems and developing initial Standard Operating Procedures. Assist with Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) project and compliance with EPA Lead & Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

Requirements

At least one year of accredited technical training in the operation of water treatment processes.
Five or more years of previous experience in the operation and maintenance of pumps, motors and related machinery.
A valid driver’s license.
A North Dakota Grade 4 Operator's Certificate (or equivalent).
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations concerning treatment plant operations.
Knowledge of the proper operation and maintenance of equipment used in the treatment process including pumps and motors.
Knowledge of confined space entry and hazardous materials handling as related to treatment process.
Knowledge of procedures of sampling and sample testing.
Knowledge of principles of water, wastewater and sludge treatment processes and process control.
Skill in organizing and prioritizing work.
Skill in providing instruction and training to other workers.
Skill in performing mechanical maintenance and repair to equipment.
Skill in performing basic mathematical computation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Skill in reading and writing English sufficient to read and write logs and records.
Skill in observation and interpretation of changes in process control to sufficiently determine necessary adjustments.
Skill in operation of all plant equipment and in the performance of all operating activities.
Skill in mathematical computations and data analysis.
Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to interpret technical manuals and reports.
Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms.
Ability to learn water control computer system.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, digital dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.
Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Nice To Haves

Cross-train in Lime Softening processes and Membrane processes.
Serve as back-up to the Control Systems Manager for the Water Utility for minor edits, troubleshooting, maintenance, and testing of computer control systems.
Work on startups of new treatment process systems and developing initial Standard Operating Procedures.
Assist with Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) project and compliance with EPA Lead & Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).

Responsibilities

Conduct efforts related to optimization of water system processes to improve equipment operation, treatment costs, workflow, and other optimization opportunities.
Perform actions to ensure efficient expenditures in water treatment.
Analyze and organize operations data to help recognize patterns for typical operation and improve understand of outlier events.
Using sound judgement, test and monitor new ideas or alternative operational strategies for water utility: full scale, pilot scale, bench scale, and other appropriate methodology.
Monitor and review currents trends, research, and developments in the water field or other technical areas viewed as relevant and beneficial to the Fargo water utility.
Assist in the implementation and tuning of computer analysis tools for water production to help guide decisions regarding water source, process selection, and plant adjustments.
Coordinate with consultants and other water plant staff to develop graphics and visuals for speedy and intuitive assessment of water system conditions.
Collects water samples and completes analysis in coordination with the Environmental Health laboratory.
Program spreadsheets and reporting software for data analysis and compliance reporting.
Assist Water Utility Director and others in administering, reviewing, or implementing programs in which the water utility is required to maintain compliance or that are beneficial to the City of Fargo.
Assist with programs and compliance requirements related to USEPA water regulations including the development of automated reports.
Assist with programs and compliance requirements related to safety regulations, security, and other requirements the water utility is subject to.
Assist in the implementation, maintenance, and use of computer maintenance software, asset management software, or other City of Fargo programs that involve multiple departments.
Assist with budgeting, financial tracking, or other duties in the operation of the water utility.
Perform duties related to the operation, maintenance, calibration, and analysis of various water utility equipment and processes.
Operate, maintain, test, and calibrate chemical feed equipment.
Operate, maintain, test, and calibrate online analytical instrumentation.
Program spreadsheets and reporting software for data analysis.
Operates pumps, monitors and determines level and flow.
Supervise and coordinate maintenance for the Ultrafiltration (UF) system such as fiber repairs, maintenance cleans, recovery cleans, UF module replacement, and other UF-related operation and maintenance.
Supervise and coordinate maintenance for the Reverse Osmosis (RO) system such as Clean-in-Place procedures, RO elements replacement, and other RO-related operation and maintenance.
Works as a team with other water utility groups: operations, maintenance, laboratory, and controls.
Helps with workload in other groups as needed or with larger water utility annual maintenance projects and repair projects.
Coordinates with other water utility groups to assist in areas that technical assistance is needed or when a special project needs completions.
Communicates respectfully and fosters teamwork within the water utility and in coordination with outside groups.
Provides training and support to utility staff with new optimization and workflow strategies.
Apply effort to implement Water Utility initiatives from the Water Utility Director, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, or other City leadership.
Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
Receives calls from the public, vendors, contractors, and consulting engineers.
Communicates and discusses technical information with vendors, contractors, consulting engineers, and others.
Frequently interacts with others in the work unit to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
Supervises the unloading and storage of chemicals delivered.
Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
Train, mentor, and assist water utility operators in the following positions: Operator-Apprentice, Operator I, Operator II, Operator III, and Operator IV.
Facilitate learning about the specific details of design, operation, and history of Fargo’s water infrastructure: raw water, water treatment, and water distribution.
Explain and discuss the theory of operation (mechanical, chemical, biological, monitoring capabilities) of all water treatment processes.
After becoming proficient, relay information regarding ongoing studies and optimization work.
Facilitate the implementation by operators of new optimization strategies that show promise of a favorable cost/benefits ratio.
Educate operator about the data available on the control system from online instrumentation (source water, treatment, distribution).
Discuss actions to be taken in response to SCADA information.
Solicit ideas from operators that will help improve water system operation and can be implemented.
Periodically or with a vacant plant operator position, the Water Process Specialist may be required to work shifts.
Performs operating duties using automated and manual processes; operates pumps, engines, and other process equipment to control flow of sewage and/or water through various processes to ensure plant targets are met as well as compliance with state and federal mandates.
Performs lab analyses and tests on an ongoing basis, according to operating procedures for different processes in the plant.
Collects samples and analyzes results.
Determines appropriate adjustments for chemicals and/or equipment.
Adjusts chemical feed rates, regulates equipment.
Operates pumps, monitors and determines level and flow.
Serves as a team leader, using informed and independent judgment.
Collaborates with the responsible supervisor and recommends performance review content for assigned employees.
Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
Programming, troubleshooting and managing several Water Treatment Plant computer systems.
Cross-train in Lime Softening processes and Membrane processes.
Serves as back-up to the Control Systems Manager for the Water Utility for minor edits, troubleshooting, maintenance, and testing of computer control systems.
Working on startups of new treatment process systems and developing initial Standard Operating Procedures.
Assist with Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) project and compliance with EPA Lead & Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI).