Water Treatment Operator

East Bay Municipal Utility District • Oakland, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has six treatment plants: three conventional (two with ozone) and three inline, ranging in size from 25 175 MGD. Assignments may include working at any treatment plant on any shift. Working on shifts without immediate supervision requires independent judgment, initiative, and action within established operational parameters. Water Treatment Operator duties include: Logging plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, and unusual operating conditions; preparing reports, as required. Monitoring and operating the distribution system using the SCADA system as needed. Sampling water at established times, performing standardized quality control tests, interpreting the results, and adjusting chemical feeders and other plant equipment accordingly. Maintaining the plant and operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition, including draining and hosing down filters, tanks, and basins, and flushing chemical metering pumps; depressurizing, de-energizing, isolating equipment, removing chemicals, and locking and tagging out equipment in preparation for maintenance crews. Making limited repairs and adjustments to equipment commonly used in water treatment facilities; listening for unusual equipment or machinery sounds to determine if there are potential problems; taking corrective action such as shutting down equipment or machinery and barricading off an area as appropriate.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• 6 college semester units in water treatment or other specialized training accepted by the California Department of Drinking Water (CA SWRCB-DDW) toward the T3 certificate; and either a. 2 years of EBMUD experience as a Water Treatment/Distribution Operator Trainee plus satisfactory completion of training and supervisory certification of proficiency; OR b. 2 years of water treatment operator experience.
• A California T2 certificate issued by the CA SWRCB-DDW. Must obtain a T3 Operator certificate within 2 years of appointment.
• A valid California driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Must be physically capable of sustained climbing, standing, and walking; lifting of heavy materials such as 50-lb chemical sacks or valve pit covers.
• Must be willing to work assigned shifts, weekends, and holidays as scheduled to staff continuous operations.
• Must be willing to work with and around hazardous materials, to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and to be clean shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• An Associate Arts Degree in water or wastewater technology or distribution including at least 15 units of physical, chemical, or biological sciences may be substituted for one year of experience under either of the above qualifying patterns.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree and completion of a state recognized comprehensive operator training program may be substituted for one year of experience under either of the above qualifying patterns.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, public health, civil, chemical, environmental, or sanitary engineering or other closely related field may be substituted for the required experience under either of the above qualifying patterns.

Responsibilities

• Logging plant operations, test results, maintenance work performed, and unusual operating conditions; preparing reports, as required.
• Monitoring and operating the distribution system using the SCADA system as needed.
• Sampling water at established times, performing standardized quality control tests, interpreting the results, and adjusting chemical feeders and other plant equipment accordingly.
• Maintaining the plant and operating equipment and facilities in a clean and orderly condition, including draining and hosing down filters, tanks, and basins, and flushing chemical metering pumps; depressurizing, de-energizing, isolating equipment, removing chemicals, and locking and tagging out equipment in preparation for maintenance crews.
• Making limited repairs and adjustments to equipment commonly used in water treatment facilities; listening for unusual equipment or machinery sounds to determine if there are potential problems; taking corrective action such as shutting down equipment or machinery and barricading off an area as appropriate.

What This Job Offers

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