Water Treatment Operator

The City of Frederick•Frederick, MD

15h•Onsite

About The Position

This skilled technical position operates a water treatment plant and helps maintain compliance with requirements of the EPA, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the City of Frederick, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. The plants operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with varying eight-hour shifts. The position is considered essential personnel and may be required to respond to emergencies as directed by the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent. The role includes four operator levels with increasing independence and responsibility: Operator I performs duties under direct supervision; Operator II performs them with less constant supervision and responds to facility alarms; Operator III performs them with limited supervision and monitors regulatory compliance; and Operator IV performs them independently, supports and trains other operators, and maintains plant compliance and operating proficiency. Operators inspect plant facilities, monitor SCADA and plant performance, distribution tanks and pump stations, operate and adjust equipment and treatment processes, maintain operational records, collect samples and conduct routine laboratory tests, and help keep equipment and facilities clean, reliable, and maintained. Duties also include chemical handling, cleaning sedimentation basins, attending training, and completing assigned janitorial and other duties. Depending on operator level, responsibilities include evaluating alarms and operating data, making process adjustments, reviewing reports and SCADA trends, training colleagues, and notifying supervisors of potential compliance or safety issues. The position requires work beyond scheduled shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as well as travel to seminars or training as needed. Employment conditions include background and eligibility checks, passing the Maryland Class 4 Water Treatment Operator Certificate Exam within three years of hire, required City training, and annual respirator physical and SCBA fit testing. Facial hair must comply with respirator requirements, and the position is subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Work is performed indoors in plant areas and outdoors in field and collateral facilities. The environment may involve machinery noise, mechanical and electrical hazards, chemical and gas fumes or odors, toxic substances, varying weather and temperatures, and slippery, uneven, or rough surfaces. Physical requirements include frequent movement and standing, bending, kneeling, lifting and carrying objects of varying weights, operating tools and controls, and meeting vision and hearing requirements.

Requirements

High school education, GED, or equivalent.
Operator I: Ability to obtain an Operator In Training Water Treatment Class 4 (T-4) certificate from the Maryland Board of Water Works and Waste Systems Operators within 45 days of hire, and maintain it during employment.
Operator II: Six months of related work experience at a Class 4 facility; a combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training may substitute. Ability to obtain and maintain the specified Operator In Training T-4 certificate within 45 days of hire.
Operator III: Two years of related work experience at a Class 4 facility; a combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training may substitute. Ability to obtain and maintain the specified Operator In Training T-4 certificate within 45 days of hire.
Operator IV: Three years of related work experience at a Class IV Water Treatment facility; a combination of relevant education, experience, and/or training may substitute. Class IV Water Treatment Operator Certification from the Maryland Board of Water Works and Waste Systems Operators, maintained during employment.
Valid vehicle operator’s license and satisfactory driving record meeting the City insurance carrier’s insurability standards; the license must be maintained during employment.
Pass the Maryland Class 4 Water Treatment Operator Certificate Exam within three years of hire.
Effective written and spoken English communication, ability to read and maintain clear, concise records, and ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Self-motivation, initiative, and ability to work under stress amid changing water-quality and plant-performance conditions.
Knowledge of water-treatment operating principles and practices and applicable state and federal water-quality regulations.
Basic mathematics skills, including arithmetic, area calculations, and estimation; higher operator levels require increasingly advanced calculations and application of algebra, geometry, conversions, percentages, averages, and water-treatment formulas.
Computer skills appropriate to operator level, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; higher levels require intermediate Microsoft Office skills and familiarity with SCADA applications such as Citect and PLCs.
Operator III and IV: Knowledge of relevant City, state, federal, EPA, MDE, and OSHA regulations; water-treatment materials, methods, processes, and techniques; safety standards for hazardous environments; and safe operating limits of equipment.
Operator IV: Demonstrated proficiency in the duties of Operators I, II, and III, including knowledge of the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Complete required City of Frederick training and annual respirator physical and SCBA fit testing; maintain facial hair in compliance with respirator requirements.
Meet the physical abilities described, including working in plant and field settings, operating assigned equipment, lifting and carrying loads, and meeting specified vision and hearing requirements.
Comply with random urine, drug, and/or breath alcohol testing for this safety-sensitive position.
Employment eligibility verification and criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Forklift operating experience.
Experience conducting safety inspections.
Hazardous chemical response training.
Knowledge of laboratory equipment and multiple water-treatment laboratory tests.

Responsibilities

Inspect the facility and monitor SCADA, plant performance, distribution tanks, pump stations, control panels, and treatment processes.
Operate and adjust valves, pumps, chemical settings, treatment equipment, flows, and process rates, manually or remotely, at the level of supervision appropriate to the operator classification.
Maintain written or computerized operational logs, meter and gauge readings, and laboratory test results.
Collect water samples and conduct and interpret routine laboratory tests, including chlorine residual, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
Follow plant standard operating procedures and maintain equipment and facilities in clean, reliable condition, including performing preventative maintenance.
Receive and unload chemicals, apply copper sulfate to bodies of water, and drain and clean sedimentation basins.
Attend classes and complete training to maintain water-treatment knowledge, licenses, and certifications.
Perform assigned janitorial duties and other duties as assigned.
At Operator II level, assist Operator I staff and determine causes and responses to facility alarms.
At Operator III level, review daily operating reports, logs, and SCADA trends; monitor and maintain regulatory compliance; and make necessary process or flow-production adjustments.
At Operator IV level, instruct and train other operators, support their objectives, maintain professional and technical proficiency, uphold plant compliance, report potential compliance or safety issues to supervisors, and adjust operations based on observed conditions and test results.
Respond to emergencies as directed by the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent.
Work beyond scheduled shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and travel to seminars or training as required.