Senior

City of Suffolk•Suffolk, VA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs responsible supervisory and technical work in the operation of the City's water treatment plant (electro-dialysis reversal (EDR) and conventional treatment) equipment to ensure distribution of safe, potable drinking water to the City. Work involves operating the assigned water treatment plant on a daily basis, periodically checking the water pumps, feed systems and tank levels, and making changes as necessary; calculating chemical feed dosages; and reading various charts, graphs, gauges and meters to ensure water quality and water flow. Employee is also responsible for handling calls for water and sewer emergencies after hours; supervising and training plant operators. Reports to the Water Production Manager. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
1 years of related experience or training (for Operator I)
Certification as a Class II Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks Operators (for Operator II)
Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks Operators (for Senior Operator)
Requires a valid driver's license.
Certification as a Class IV Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks Operators required within 2 years of initial employment.
Certification as a Class III Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks Operators must be obtained within three years of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator I.
Certification as a Class II Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Waterworks and Waste Waterworks must be obtained within five years of employment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator I.
Knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water treatment and pumping plant equipment and machinery.
Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities.
Knowledge of the mechanical maintenance and lubrication requirements of the equipment operated.
Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the treatment of water for distribution as drinking water.
Knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment.
Knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment.
Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
Knowledge of EDR system and conventional water treatment operations.
Knowledge of the current literature, trends and developments in the fields of water treatment and water treatment plant operation.
Ability to recognize breakdowns in water treatment plant equipment.
Ability to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures.
Ability to make minor repairs of equipment operated.
Ability to exercise independent judgment based on training and experience in making decisions and coordinating the proper operation of equipment.
Ability to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water treatment equipment, chemical feed systems and other related equipment.
Ability to secure the requisite operator's certificate as required by work assignments.
Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.
Ability to assign, supervise, instruct and advise subordinates.
Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
Ability to make oral presentations before groups of people.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Ability to summarize, tabulate, or format data or information in accordance with a prescribed schema or plan, to facilitate the identification and extraction of useful information.
Ability to give information, guidance, or assistance to people which directly facilitates task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.
Ability to assist with achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials and supplies.
Ability to use mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions.
Ability to read technical instructions and procedures manuals to solve practical problems such as assembly instruction for tools and routine office equipment operating instructions; composes routine and specialized reports and forms with proper format.
Ability to make frequent decisions, affecting the individual, co-workers, and others whom depend on the service or product.
Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem solving; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.
Ability to make moderately serious impact decisions- may affect citizens.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Ability to adapt and perform under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Responsibilities

Inspects, monitors, and operates water treatment plant equipment, machinery, instruments, and computer-controlled systems to ensure proper operation and the production of safe, potable drinking water for distribution throughout the City.
Monitors and regulates treatment processes, tank levels, water flows, pressures, and surface water reservoir levels throughout the treatment plant and distribution system; makes adjustments to equipment, machinery, instruments, and control systems as necessary to maintain proper operating conditions.
Monitors the EDR plant to maintain pressure and flow rates in accordance with manufacturer specifications and notifies plant maintenance, management, and/or the manufacturer of significant deviations or operational concerns.
Collects water samples at various stages of the treatment process, including raw and treated water; performs routine laboratory and chemical analyses to evaluate treatment effectiveness and water quality; interprets test results and makes appropriate operational adjustments.
Conducts chlorine residual testing at community well systems; monitors City-owned wells, collects well meter readings, and adjusts chlorine feed rates as necessary to maintain required levels.
Calculates chemical feed rates using established mathematical formulas and adjusts chemical feed equipment accordingly to maintain proper treatment levels.
Operates, adjusts, and monitors treatment equipment, including flocculators, metering pumps, high-rate and multimedia filters, chemical feeders, screens, and related equipment based on water quality and operational test results.
Prepares testing standards; maintains testing equipment, instruments, and laboratory glassware; investigates abnormal or inconsistent test results attributable to testing equipment and makes adjustments as necessary; properly disposes of laboratory waste.
Monitors chemical inventories and maintains adequate supplies of treatment chemicals, including sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, carbon, sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate, corrosion inhibitors, polymer, and other chemicals; transports chemicals to appropriate feed points and fills or positions chemical storage and feed tanks.
Performs quality assurance testing of bulk chemicals to ensure materials meet operational requirements.
Utilizes plant computer systems and computer-driven software to monitor and operate treatment processes, enter technical and operational data, maintain records, and prepare monthly and other reports required by regulatory agencies and the department.
Maintains accurate records of plant operations, water quality testing, equipment performance, chemical usage, well readings, and other operational data; prepares periodic reports for supervisors, management, regulatory agencies, and other authorized parties.
Performs minor repair and preventive maintenance of treatment plant equipment and reports major repair and maintenance needs to appropriate department maintenance personnel.
Monitors sewage pump station and well alarm systems and responds appropriately to operational alarms or system concerns.
Assigns, supervises, trains, and provides guidance to subordinate Water Treatment Plant Operators and unlicensed trainees on assigned shifts; provides instruction regarding operating procedures, safety requirements, water quality standards, and departmental policies; evaluates subordinate employees and completes performance appraisals as assigned.
Performs Shift Operator duties and other operational responsibilities as required or assigned.
Responds to after-hours calls involving water distribution or collection system problems, service disruptions, customer complaints, natural or manmade disasters, and other emergencies affecting plant or utility operations.
Serves as an after-hours contact for the general public during emergency situations involving water distribution or sewer functions; gathers information, evaluates the nature of the emergency, and dispatches appropriate personnel or resources as necessary.
Receives deliveries of materials, supplies, chemicals, and equipment; verifies and logs deliveries and oversees the proper storage and handling of materials.
Performs routine custodial duties in assigned areas of the treatment plant and maintains work areas, equipment, and laboratory spaces in a clean and orderly condition.
Leads tours of the water treatment plant and responds to questions from visitors, employees, and members of the public regarding plant operations, procedures, programs, and water treatment processes.
Performs other related duties as required or assigned.