Water Treatment Plant Operator III

City of Yakima • Yakima, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is the senior level position in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator series. Employees at this level are required to be fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Employees in this class will monitor, operate, adjust and maintain all treatment plant processes, will provide training and technical direction to other operators, and may act as the Operator-in-Charge of a shift based on policies and procedures outlined by Process Control Supervisor. Operators at this level are required to understand the treatment plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit reporting requirements and treatment process operation to ensure permit compliance. Incumbents are expected to actively seek and obtain knowledge, skill and experience to enable obtainment of a Washington State Department of Ecology Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group IV certificate as soon as qualified.

Requirements

• High school graduation or GED
• Four years' experience related to the operation of a water treatment facility
• Two years of relevant education beyond high school or GED
• Not less than one year of working experience in a drinking water surface water treatment plant
• Must meet minimum education and experience requirements in the State of Washington Waterworks Operator Certification Program Guidelines for a Water Treatment Plant Operator III Certification.
• Must possess at time of appointment and maintain a valid State of Washington Driver's License
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain, within six months of appointment, a valid Washington State Water Treatment Plant Operator III Certification
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain, within six months of appointment, a basic First Aid Certificate
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain, within six months of appointment, a CPR certificate.
• Knowledge of current health and safety water standards including federal, state and local water quality rules and regulations , Washington State Department of Health "Treatment Optimization Program", and Endangered Species Act
• Knowledge of computer and programmable logic controllers for plant operation control systems
• Knowledge of machinery, equipment, materials and operating procedures of a water treatment plant including pumping stations
• Knowledge of testing instruments and chemicals used in testing and treating water
• Knowledge of chemistry, bacteriology, mathematics
• Knowledge of safe handling techniques for hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of City of Yakima rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Knowledge of federal, state and local traffic laws, rules and regulations, with ability to drive safely and efficiently.
• Ability to consistently work safely and in compliance with the federal, state and local regulations, laws, policies and standards.
• Ability to recognize traffic hazards and other potential safety concerns and to make sound decisions and actions while operating vehicles, tools and machinery.
• Ability to work independently, make fast and accurate decisions leading to corrective action for the maintenance and operation of the plant
• Ability to accurately read meters and gauges and detect faulty characteristics
• Ability to keep logs and records of operations and input into the computer
• Ability to set up and perform laboratory analysis of water samples and to determine adjustments
• Ability to conduct preventative and corrective maintenance on plant equipment
• Ability to operate all plant equipment including backhoe
• Ability to perform skilled mechanical repairs
• Ability to perform moderately strenuous physical work
• Ability to establish and effective working relations
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Capacity for sustained attention to functioning machinery, equipment, vehicles, and computerized monitor system.
• Good sensory perception to monitor plant machinery and operations visually, audibly, by smell, and by touch (for temperature and vibration) on an ongoing basis.
• Ability to make rapid and sound decisions in the event of extraordinary situations such as equipment malfunctions, rapid deterioration of raw water quality, or power outages, to ensure the quality of finished water and protect public health.
• Ability to exercise this judgment while unsupervised.
• Physical strength and ability sufficient to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods under wet, cold, and generally unpleasant conditions.
• Frequent climbing and balancing while on ladders.
• Frequent bending/twisting at knees/waist/neck while performing mechanical repairs and maintenance items.
• Occasional kneeling/crouching/crawling while making repairs in confined spaces and awkward positions.
• Continuous use of both hands and arms while driving and in maintenance activities.
• Continuous use of all senses, including feeling, talking, hearing, smell and vision while performing mechanical repairs and while communicating with coworkers and general public.
• Must not be color blind and must possess good field of vision.
• Required to wear safety protective gear when necessary.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Actively seek and obtain knowledge, skill and experience to enable obtainment of a Washington State Department of Ecology Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group IV certificate as soon as qualified.

Responsibilities

• Observes and monitors water flows directly and as indicated by instruments at the intake structure, booster pumping stations, reservoirs, wells and treatment plant.
• Operates and maintains the telemetry system including antennas, troubleshooting, programming and adjustments.
• Maintains and calibrates pressure transmitters, flow meters, valve position and limit switches, level transmitters, on-line water quality instruments such as fluoride, pH, temperature, chlorine, electrical charge, etc.
• Monitors and adjusts flows at the Water Treatment Plant to meet the demand of the water users and reservoirs and adjusts the pump sequence at the pump stations and wells to maintain the reservoirs at an acceptable level to provide adequate water for fires or other emergencies and for scheduled maintenance such as flushing mains.
• Manually and/or remotely adjusts valves and pump controls to regulate flow rates.
• Safely drives and operates vehicles and other motorized equipment to perform required duties in a variety of locations, within a timely and efficient manner and adhering to all traffic laws and regulations.
• Maintains daily log on filters, chlorine residual, pressure, flows, reservoir levels, etc.; changes charts and enters information into the computerized data collection system.
• Maintains record of work through a computerized work order tracking system.
• Adds correct amounts of several types of chemicals for disinfection, coagulation , filtration , taste and odor control and fluoridation.
• Adjusts chemical feed rates manually or remotely to maintain proper treatment as prescribed in the Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Washington State Department of Health "Treatment Optimization Program."
• Handles, mixes and stores a variety of chemicals used for water treatment including polymers, sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, ploy aluminum chlorides, calcium hypochlorite, caustic soda and fluoride.
• Receives chemicals from suppliers.
• Monitors water quality and many points in the treatment and distribution system for turbidity, chlorine residual, pH, temperature, taste and odor, fluoride, hardness and alkalinity.
• Maintains and operates water testing equipment such as turbidimeters, pH meters, color meters and several types of residual analyzers, hydrometers, and others.
• Monitors dual-media sand filters during production and backwash cycles.
• Monitors chemical reactions, coagulation and polymer additions to observe and assure proper operation and production of water.
• Makes changes in backwash set points on computer graphical user interface as required by conditions.
• Maintains, calibrates and repairs a variety of equipment such as chemical feeders, pumps and motors, air compressors, pneumatic valves and air cylinders.
• Maintains structure and grounds as required to maintain the cleanliness and proper appearance of various locations including but not limited to: booster pumping stations, wells and water treatment facilities by performing janitorial duties such as: painting, watering, weed and pest control and making repairs to needed structures.
• Drives to, maintains and repairs the Water Treatment Plant, wells and pump station buildings and all systems including plumbing, heating and cooling system, carpentry and other custodial duties.
• Requires regular and reliable attendance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The City of Yakima is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

What This Job Offers

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