Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I - IV

City of Clarksville•GAS and WATER 2215 Madison Street Clarksville, TN

10h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and represents a career pathway with four job descriptions reflecting progression. The role involves controlling processes and equipment that remove pollutants from water, taking water samples, reading meters and gauges, and adjusting equipment or chemical dosing to ensure water safety. Operators may also handle emergencies in dangerous conditions. This is a fulfilling career serving the community and providing a stable work environment. New employees enter a career path with in-house and formal classroom training, progressing through four positions (Operator I to Specialist). Training includes extensive in-house instruction and external education, with regular evaluations until a Tennessee Grade 4 Water or Wastewater Treatment Operators Certification is obtained. The Operations Specialist position should be obtained within 30 months of employment. Monthly in-house training evaluations are conducted by management until the first certification is obtained. Pay increases accompany promotion from Operator I to Operator IV. Employees will access and operate all process equipment, perform laboratory, operational, and maintenance duties, use computers with Windows, spreadsheets, and a SCADA system.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED equivalent.
Possession of a valid Class D driver’s license.
Completion of six months training in Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I position (for Operator II).
Continues formal training as specified within the four (4) step career path.
Grade III Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification (respective to assigned area) (for Operator III).
Grade IV Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification (respective to assigned area) (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of applicable tools, equipment, and materials.
Knowledge of safety procedures.
Knowledge of recordkeeping principles.
Knowledge of computer and related software applications.
Skill in performing mathematical calculations.
Ability to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles.
Skill in using basic equipment and tools.
Skill in maintaining operational records.
Skill in using a computer and related software applications.
Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisors, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
Basic understanding of plant operation, processes and procedures (for Operator II).
Knowledge of basic understanding of plant operation, processes and procedures (for Operator II).
Knowledge of applicable tools, equipment, and materials (for Operator II).
Knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles (for Operator II).
Knowledge of safety procedures (for Operator II).
Knowledge of recordkeeping principles (for Operator II).
Knowledge of computer and related software applications (for Operator II).
Skill in performing mathematical calculations (for Operator II).
Skill in using basic equipment and tools (for Operator II).
Skill in maintaining operational records (for Operator II).
Skill in using a computer and related software applications (for Operator II).
Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction (for Operator II).
Understanding of water/wastewater treatment plant operation, processes and procedures (for Operator III).
Knowledge of water sampling techniques (for Operator III).
Knowledge of data collection techniques (for Operator III).
Knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles (for Operator III).
Knowledge of applicable tools, equipment, and materials (for Operator III).
Knowledge of chemical handling procedures (for Operator III).
Knowledge of safety procedures (for Operator III).
Knowledge of recordkeeping principles (for Operator III).
Knowledge of computer and related software applications (for Operator III).
Skill in performing skilled water/wastewater treatment facility operation and maintenance (for Operator III).
Skill in operating treatment facility equipment and processes (for Operator III).
Skill in collecting water samples and recording data (for Operator III).
Skill in performing laboratory analyses (for Operator III).
Skill in using basic equipment and tools of the trade (for Operator III).
Skill in operating motor vehicles (for Operator III).
Skill in maintaining operational records (for Operator III).
Skill in using a computer and related software applications (for Operator III).
Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction (for Operator III).
Advanced understanding of water/wastewater treatment plant operation, processes and procedures (for Operator IV).
Advanced understanding and proficiency of water sampling and analysis (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of data collection techniques (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of applicable tools, equipment, and materials (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of chemical handling procedures (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of safety procedures (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of recordkeeping principles (for Operator IV).
Knowledge of computer and related software applications (for Operator IV).
Skill in performing skilled water/wastewater treatment facility operation and maintenance (for Operator IV).
Skill in operating treatment facility equipment and processes (for Operator IV).
Skill in collecting water samples and recording data (for Operator IV).
Skill in performing laboratory analyses (for Operator IV).
Ability to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles (for Operator IV).
Skill in using basic equipment and tools (for Operator IV).
Skill in maintaining operational records (for Operator IV).
Skill in using a computer and related software applications (for Operator IV).
Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisors, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction (for Operator IV).

Nice To Haves

Tennessee Grade 4 Water or Wastewater Treatment Operators Certification, respective to the plant assigned.

Responsibilities

Monitor processes of the water/wastewater treatment plant including filtration, solids management, adding/adjusting chemicals, monitoring tank levels, pumping stations, and performing lab tests to analyze water/wastewater samples.
Independently monitor, operate, service, and maintain plant equipment, systems, and processes to ensure proper operations, including inspecting pump valves, motors, filters, meters, and computerized controls; checking chemical feed pump settings; and repairing and/or replacing equipment.
Operate water/wastewater SCADA systems by monitoring gauges, equipment, meters, and controls.
Collect samples and perform applicable laboratory analyses and testing; review and interpret laboratory results; document records and logs of systems operation and maintenance activities.
Respond to customer calls regarding water quality concerns including taste, odor, color, and pressure, and potential leaks from underground utility lines, overflowing tanks; and relay messages to the proper department for inspection and repair.
Oversee the handling of hazardous and toxic chemicals and materials.
Perform other work as required.
Train to perform duties and responsibilities by monitoring processes of the water/wastewater treatment plant including but not limited to filtration, solids management, adding/adjusting chemicals, and monitoring tank levels, pumping stations and performing lab tests to analyze water/wastewater samples.
Train to independently monitor, operate, service, and maintain plant equipment, systems, and processes to ensure proper operations, which includes inspecting pump valves, motors, filters, meters, and computerized controls; checking chemical feed pump settings; and repairing and/or replacing equipment.
Train to operate water/wastewater SCADA systems by monitoring gauges, equipment, meters, and controls.
Train to collect samples and performs applicable laboratory analyses and testing; review and interpret laboratory results; document records and logs of systems operation and maintenance activities.
Train to respond to customer calls regarding water quality concerns including taste, odor, color, and pressure, and potential leaks from underground utility lines, overflowing tanks; and relays messages to proper department for inspection and repair.
Train to oversee the handling of hazardous and toxic chemicals and materials.