Operator "B"

West Columbia, City of•Water Treatment Plant, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, operates water treatment plant and pump station in accordance with established rules, regulations, standards and guidelines to supply safe, potable water to the citizens of West Columbia, the Town of Lexington and Lexington County. Tasks include operating and maintaining equipment, taking water samples, performing quality tests on water samples, checking water pressures, preparing reports, etc. Reports to the Water Plant Superintendent or Director of Planning, Engineering and Water Plants.

Requirements

Requires a vocational/technical school education/training in water treatment plant operations and three to five years of experience in water treatment plant operations; or any equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities for the position.
Must possess certification as a Water Treatment Plant Operator “B.”
Must be physically able to operate a variety of types of equipment including pumps, flashmixers, turbidity meter, PH meter, autoclave, lime feeder, alum feeder, chlorinator, control board, various types of mechanic’s tools and supplies, etc.
Must be physically able to exert up to 25 pounds of force frequently and constantly to lift, carry, push, or otherwise move objects.
Physical demands are in excess of sedentary work; position requires constant standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, and climbing.
Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of approximately 50 pounds.
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor.
Requires the ability to read and understand a variety of documents, reports and manuals.
Requires the ability to prepare various charts, records and reports relative to water testing and other activities.
Requires the ability to interact with supervisor, co-workers, other department personnel and the general public, etc., with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems such as water treatment processes in order to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form.
Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions.
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers; to determine percentages and utilize decimals; to apply algebraic and geometric principles; and to determine time and weight.
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using various types of equipment.
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have high levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with emergency situations.
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Nice To Haves

Has knowledge of the methods, theories, processes and procedures used in operating the water treatment plant.
Has knowledge of the rules, regulations, standards and guidelines governing the operation of water treatment facilities.
Has knowledge of state and federal permit requirements for effluent quality including those set forth by the EPA and SC DHEC.
Has knowledge of departmental safety rules and procedures and is able to use related protective equipment.
Knows procedures used in collecting and testing water samples.
Has good knowledge of chemicals used in water treatment and is able to utilize same safely and accurately.
Knows of clearwell and tank levels, which must be maintained in order to meet water demands.
Understands the importance of maintaining sanitary conditions in the plant, and is able to do so at all times.
Has good understanding of procedures used in correcting system failures and is able to learn and apply new ideas, concepts, repair techniques, etc.
Is able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Is willing and able to perform work under various weather conditions.
Is able to maintain logs, reports, etc., in a neat and accurate manner.
Is able to communicate effectively with supervisor, co-workers, members of the public, etc.
Knows how to make minor repairs and/or adjustments to equipment.
Knows how to read and understand the plant control board.
Has the ability to use independent judgment in routine as well as occasional non-routine situations.
Has good technical and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Operates and controls electric motors, pumps and valves to regulate flow of raw water treating plant.
Loads specified amounts of chemicals, such as chlorine, ammonia and lime into water or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into treatment section to disinfect and clarify water.
Starts flashmixers to mix chemicals and allow impurities to settle to bottom of basins.
Turns valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities.
Pumps purified water into water mains and storage tanks.
Monitors panel board and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, loss of head pressure, water elevation and the distribution of water.
Cleans filter beds using backwash system.
Tests water samples to determine acidity, color and impurities using colorimeter, turbidimeter and conductivity meters.
Records data such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity and water pressures.
Prepares various records and reports including flow charts, filter backwash charts, turbidity charts, bacteria records, dosage charts, calibration records, etc.
Maintains such records and reports as directed by SC DHEC.
Operates/utilizes a variety of types of equipment including water pumps, chlorine onsite generator (OSG) unit, alum feeder, lime feeder, fluoride feeder, turbidity meter, autoclave, diagnostic instruments, laboratory equipment, mechanic’ tools, etc.
Performs related duties as required.