HWU Water Treatment Operator I

City of Henderson Kentucky•Henderson KY 42420, KY

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Water Treatment Operator I operates and maintains an assigned treatment plant to produce potable water in accordance with state, federal, and local guidelines. The operator performs routine plant operations, monitors water quality and equipment, makes operational adjustments, conducts routine and preventive maintenance, and maintains required records and regulatory compliance. The role receives training and consults the Water Treatment Manager on significant operational decisions, while also assisting with plant planning, employee orientation, and guidance to fellow operators. The position requires regular, predictable in-person attendance and availability to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Operators work shifts assigned by the Water Treatment Manager and may be called in to cover illness or emergencies. Regular shift operators work 12-hour day or night shifts on a rotating schedule; relief operators typically work 8-hour shifts totaling 40 hours per week when not providing coverage. A $1.00-per-hour shift differential applies to night work. Applicants must submit a copy of their driver’s license and must have no DUI convictions within the previous five years. Employment is contingent on successfully completing pre-employment drug and alcohol screening; further testing may be required under the City’s Drug and Alcohol policy.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid driver’s license; applicants must submit a copy with their application.
No DUI convictions in the previous five years.
Ability to take and pass the KYDOW Class IIIA certification test within 24 months of hire.
Ability to take and pass the KYDOW Class IVA certification test within 36 months of hire and maintain active Class IVA certification thereafter.
Successfully complete drug and alcohol screening before employment and any future screening required under the City’s Drug and Alcohol policy.
Ability to work shifts assigned by the Water Treatment Manager and maintain availability for emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ability to exert very moderate physical effort, including stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing 12–50 pounds.
Ability to work in conditions that may include dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, temperature extremes, noise, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, or toxic agents.
Ability to use computer systems, including SCADA.

Nice To Haves

Four or more years of experience in wastewater treatment or collections, or water distribution.
Two or more years of experience in water treatment operations at a Class II or higher treatment plant.
An associate’s degree or higher in environmental engineering, environmental technology, or biological, chemical, or physical sciences.
At least 61 post-secondary semester hours, with passing grades, in environmental engineering, environmental technology, or biological, chemical, or physical sciences.
At least 91 post-secondary quarter hours, with passing grades, in environmental engineering, environmental technology, or biological, chemical, or physical sciences.

Responsibilities

Receive training from the Water Treatment Manager, Water Treatment Operator II, or maintenance employees.
Perform general treatment-plant operations and consult the Water Treatment Manager when significant operating decisions are required.
Monitor plant operations and conduct periodic plant tours and daily visual inspections of equipment.
Perform daily operating tasks, including washing filters, calibrating chemical pumps, reading gauges, operating the sludge press, filling chemical tanks, and collecting and delivering samples.
Perform assigned water-quality tests and monitor chemical feed rates and water flow, making adjustments as needed.
Monitor turbidity, gauges, meters, filter press, and control panels; change tanks, wash filters, and make equipment or control adjustments as needed.
Monitor supplies, chemicals, and operating materials and report inventory needs to the Water Treatment Manager.
Follow standard operating procedures and proper process-control measures.
Perform assigned routine and preventive maintenance on the plant and related equipment.
Perform cleaning, janitorial, groundskeeping, and routine painting duties; assist maintenance crews as assigned.
Provide training and guidance to fellow Water Treatment Operators I, assist operators with operational decisions, and help orient new operators.
Assist the Water Treatment Manager with strategic planning, objectives, and budgets, and help carry out plant and Utility goals.
Work with other departments on project design and evaluation.
Maintain state and federal regulatory compliance, stay current on governmental mandates, and attend training or meetings as requested.
Record work in daily logs, complete laboratory sheets, maintain operational spreadsheets and documentation, and prepare reports as requested.
Follow safety regulations and Utility policies; attend safety meetings, participate in accident investigations and safety initiatives as requested, report or correct hazards, report accidents and near misses, and maintain personal safety equipment.
Stay current with computer systems, including SCADA, and maintain positive working relationships and good public relations.
Maintain regular, predictable in-person attendance and availability for emergency calls; respond to emergencies, receive off-hours calls, direct calls to on-call System Operations Center personnel as appropriate, and provide shift coverage as needed.
Operate heavy equipment to load and remove supplies or materials when required.
Perform other related duties as required, necessary, or assigned.