Water Treatment Plant - Operator 4

City of Lebanon • Lebanon, TN

22h • Onsite

About The Position

This position involves performing routine tasks in the operation of a water treatment plant on an assigned shift. It includes progressive responsibility for operating and maintaining the plant and related systems, such as treatment processes, pump stations, and sludge handling. The role requires monitoring and controlling treatment processes using SCADA and manual controls, performing laboratory tests, making chemical adjustments, and conducting maintenance and repair tasks on facilities and equipment. Record-keeping and reporting are also key aspects of this role. The operator may also assist in training lower-level operations staff.

Requirements

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
• Expert knowledge of complex modern water treatment plant operating practices.
• Ability to independently inspect plant machinery in operation and detect flaws.
• Ability to independently keeps accurate records and make reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public and other employees.
• Ability to read and interpret complex documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write technical reports and correspondence.
• Complex laboratory tests and analysis.
• Safety protocols and procedures.
• Regulatory requirements and compliance.
• Analyze data to make decisions to more complex issues.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve treatment problems.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing situations and priorities.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Algebraic formula calculations and manipulation.
• Solution concentration and dilution calculations.
• Volume and area calculations.
• Flow rate and velocity calculations.
• Expert level data interpretation and analysis.
• Expert level trend recognition and forecasting.
• A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
• 80 hours of formal course work in plant operation, mechanical and electrical abilities.
• A valid Tennessee Driver's License and clear driving record is required. If candidate does not have Tennessee Driver’s License, they must obtain one in 30 days.
• Grade IV Certified by State of Tennessee is required.
• Must attend all training courses necessary for Grade IV certification.
• Must attend all continuing education courses to keep certification current.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the operation and maintenance of a Water Treatment Plant is required or a minimum of 18 months experience and a B.S. in a science or related field.
• Employees must be available to work rotating shifts, including 24/7 assignments.
• Employees must be available to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and may be required to report to duty or remain onsite during emergency operations.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must be capable of performing laborious tasks over extended periods of time.
• Candidates must maintain auto insurance 100/300 limits when using personal vehicles for city business.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100+ pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.

Nice To Haves

• B.S. in a science or related field from an accredited University is strongly preferred.
• Must obtain certification within 24 months of hire with prior experience or reciprocity form another state.

Responsibilities

• Makes regular inspections of plants and equipment to ascertain that it is always in proper operation.
• Independently operates treatment facilities to control flow and processing of raw water, and effluent.
• Monitors gages, meters, and control panels and keeps logs of readings.
• Reports needs for major equipment repair.
• Observes variations in operating conditions and interprets meter and gauge readings and test results to determine processing requirements.
• Cleans and performs routine maintenance tasks on building and grounds.
• Keeps records and makes reports.
• Washes and greases plant equipment.
• Operates valves and gates either manually or by remote control.
• Starts and stop pumps, engines and generators to control and adjust flow and treatment process.
• Extracts samples and performs routine laboratory tests analyses.
• Performs complex laboratory tests and analyzes results to ensure compliance with regulations and applies test results to the plant optimization.
• On call rotation as assigned by Water Treatment Plant Manager and/or Utilities Director.

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays
• 18 PTO days the first year (23 PTO days after the first year and this increases every 5 years after)
• health, dental, vision, life and disability
• generous pension/401k hybrid retirement package through Tennessee Consolidated Retirement Systems (TCRS)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees