Filtration Plant Operator (DPW Water)(Temporary & Provisional)

City of Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Buffalo seeks an Assistant Filtration Plant Operator to join its Water Treatment division. Incumbents operate and monitor filtration and chemical feed to ensure continuous potable water treatment for distribution.

You will work under the Water Treatment Supervisor, supervise assistants, and use SCADA and water management software to record data, monitor quality, and perform tests while maintaining equipment and a clean work environment.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in water treatment is preferred.
• Two years of experience in operation/maintenance of water treatment equipment acceptable.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Knowledge of physics, chemistry and bacteriology related to water treatment.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and operates chemical control equipment and all controls for purifying and filtering the City's water supply.
• Directs pumping rates to meet consumer demands and control filter operation.
• Operates SCADA and central computer monitoring units for transmissions to the central computer.
• May manually override computer operations in case of emergency.
• Records hourly readings and maintains logs and data entries.
• Backwashes filters per supervisor's instructions.
• Collects water samples and conducts chemical tests to assess quality.
• Calibrates and adjusts instruments; maintains a clean, safe work area.

Skills

Chemical control equipment operation

SCADA operation

Pump and valve controls

Laboratory testing knowledge

Reading gauges and logs

Supervisory ability

Education

Associates Degree in Water and Waste Treatment

High School Diploma with 2 years related experience

Equivalent combination of education/experience

Tools

SCADA software

Water information management system

Job description

Incumbents to positions in this class, on an assigned shift, controls the supply and treatment of potable water and maintains adequate supply for distribution demands. The Filtration Plant Operators are responsible for the purification and filtration of the City's potable water supply for distribution. Work involves the directing and operation of controls for pumpage, chemical feed and flow rates for water treatment. Work is performed in accordance with definite prescribed procedures and policies established by the Water Treatment Supervisor. Immediate supervision is received from a higher-ranking official and incumbents exercise supervision over the Assistant Filtration Plant Operators and other personnel assigned.

• Supervises and operates all chemical control equipment and all controls for the purifying and filtering of the City's water supply;
• Directs the rate of pumping water into the clear water reservoir and the rate of flow at which the filters operate according to consumer demands;
• Operates supervised control and data acquisition (SCADA) computer and monitoring units for transmissions of information to and/or from the central computer unit which controls and monitors operating equipment at the Filtration Plant;
• May manually override computer operations of low lift pumps in case of emergency;
• Utilizes a water information management system software to record the weight and amounts of chemicals used.
• Records hourly readings from the various control room logs and equipment.
• Backwashes filters at frequency rate established by Water Treatment Supervisor;
• Collects water samples and conducts chemical tests to establish water quality as directed;
• Contacts those in authority upon the outbreak of unsuspected or unusual conditions;
• Calibrates and makes minor adjustments and repairs to instruments as required during work shift;
• Is responsible for keeping work area and station in good housekeeping order;
• Performs related duties as required.

Continuous and permanent status in the Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets as an Assistant Filtration Plant Operator for one year.

Open Competitive

• (A) Associates Degree from an accredited college, university or technical institute in Water and Waste Treatment;
• OR,
• (B) Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma and TWO YEARS of full time experience in the operation, maintenance or adjustment of mechanical or electrical equipment or machinery including motors, valves, pumps, compressors, blowers that are used in the purification of water;
• OR,
• (C) An equivalent combination as defined within the limits of A and B.

Special Requirement for both Promotional and Open Competitive

Possession of a current GRADE II-A Certificate for Operators of Public Water Treatment and Purification Plants as required by the NYS Department of Health and NYS Sanitary Code which must be presented at time of appointment. This certificate must be maintained throughout employment as a Filtration Plant Operator as required by the NYS Sanitary Code.

• Thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance of pumps, valves and related mechanical and electrical equipment;
• Good knowledge of the principles and applications of physics, chemistry and bacteriology as related to water treatment and purification including laboratory and field tests for plant operations;
• Good knowledge of the practices and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant;
• Ability to detect flaws in the operation of the computer monitoring system;
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions;
• Mechanical aptitude;
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.