Junior Plant Operator (Aquatics)

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sacramento seeks a Junior Plant Operator to support the Aquatic Division in maintaining municipal pools and related facilities. The role emphasizes routine maintenance of pumps, filtration systems, chemical dosing, and water quality testing at a City aquatic site.

Ideal candidates have six months’ related experience; Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool & Spa Operator certification is preferred and must be obtained within six months of appointment.

Qualifications

• Six months experience in water, wastewater or swimming pool operations or preventive maintenance on pumps/electrical equipment.
• Completion of Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool and Spa Operator training; certification required within 6 months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance checks on pumps, motors, air compressors and related equipment.
• Read meters and gauges, operate valves and controls to regulate flow and chemical dosages.
• Collect water samples and perform basic water quality tests.
• Perform janitorial work and grounds maintenance as needed.
• Operate heavy equipment such as hoists and forklifts under supervision.

Skills

Pool chemistry

Pool filtration

Maintenance equipment

Aquatic facility operation

Education

Aquatic Facility Operator certification

Tools

SCADA system

Chlorinators

Job description

This position is within the City’s Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment's Aquatic Division and focuses on maintaining the City’s pools.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have experience in swimming pool chemistry, pool filtration, and pool maintenance equipment, preferably at a commercial or municipal aquatic facility. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of and experience as an Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool and Spa Operator, however, certification is not required until within 6 months of appointment.

To perform skilled and semi-skilled work in the operation of the City's drinking water treatment plants, wells, reservoirs, distribution system, or swimming pools and fountains; combined wastewater control system, primary wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations; and to assist in monitoring and directing the pumping of storm water, wastewater, and potable water.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Junior Plant Operator is the entry-level classification in the Plant Operator series. Incumbents perform the routine inspection, lubrication, servicing, maintenance, and cleaning of equipment and facilities, and assist in operating plant equipment and performing the more routine water quality laboratory tests.

This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Plant Operator in that the latter is the journey-level operator classification that works independently in operating plant equipment and conducting water quality laboratory tests.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direct supervision is provided by the Supervising Plant Operator; indirect supervision and lead direction is provided by the Senior Plant Operator. Technical directions may be provided by the Plant Operator.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Make scheduled and preventive maintenance checks on facility equipment such as pumps, motors, and air compressors. Perform routine servicing and adjustments to equipment and paint equipment.
• Lubricate equipment, including bearings and valves, and change oil as required.
• Load and unload chlorine cylinders or containers, alum, lime, and other materials used in the treatment of potable and nonpotable water using an electric hoist, forklift, crane, and other heavy equipment, and make necessary connections for the transfer of chemicals.
• Clean tanks, sedimentation basins, chemical feeders, reservoirs, filter basins, lime slakers, and sumps.
• Assist in operating treatment plant or pool equipment by reading meters and gauges, operating valves, pumps, and other controls to adjust water flow, pressure, and chemical dosages. Make calculations and record readings.
• Assist in collecting water samples and performing routine water quality laboratory tests.
• Assist in performing various filter tests as part of the filter surveillance program.
• Perform janitorial work and grounds maintenance.
• Perform preventive maintenance duties including painting equipment and cleaning trash screens and filters.
• Operate equipment such as engine driven pumps, generators, compressors, hoists, forklifts, cranes and other heavy equipment.
• Work in confined spaces, on temporary scaffolding, and on high structures; using a self-contained breathing apparatus and/or Level I Hazmat suits.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of drinking water, wastewater, strom drainage, or swimming pool watertreatment.
• Principles, operation and maintenance requirements of pumps, motors, compressors, generators, valves and internal combustion engines.
• Basic principles and methods used generally in the mechanical and electrical fields.
• Basic principles of mathematics, algebra, and chemistry.
• Safe and efficient work practices as they are related to mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Operating principles of power-driven equipment such as forklifts, electric hoists, and trucks.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of physically demanding tasks on a regular basis.
• Work any shift (e.g., swing, relief, night), weekends, holidays, and standby that is mandatory for some assignments.
• Perform mathematical and algebraic calculations, interpret basic word problems related to water, wastewater treatment, or swimming pool water, and keep accurate records.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Understand basic water and wastewater treatment processes and analytical tests including interpreting gauges, meters, and recorders.
• Understand the location, function, operation, preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting procedures for pumps, motors, chlorinators, alum, polymer and fluoride feeders, lime slakers and other associated equipment and machinery.
• Understand basic personal computer programs including inter/intranet access, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
• Understand basic Supervising Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system operation for some assignments.
• Understand basic Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) operations for some assignments.
• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience: Six months experience in performing operations in the water, wastewater or swimming pool field; or performing preventive maintenance-type work on pumps, motors, or related mechanical/electrical equipment.

OR

Education: Completion of a course of instruction related to water, wastewater plant, or swimming pool (Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool and Spa Operator) operations; or mechanical or electrical technology; assignments in drinking water treatment require one 90 contact hour (9 semester units) course in Water/Wastewater Treatment Operations.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Ability to obtain a valid California Class A or B Driver License with endorsements as required or Class C Driver License with Hazmat endorsement during the probationary period is required for some assignments. Loss of the license is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case‑case basis.

Certificate: Assignments in drinking water treatment require a T-1 or higher certificate from the California State Water Resources Control Board at the time of appointment; For assignments in wastewater treatment, possession of a T-1 or higher certificate is desirable; For assignments in aquatics, an Aquatic Facility Operator or Certified Pool and Spa Operator certification is required within 6 months of appointment.

Assessment: If considered for appointment, candidates must pass a pre‑employment drug test for some assignments.

Respiratory Protective Equipment: Work in this class may require wearing respiratory protective equipment at times. When assigned to such assignments, individuals must act in accordance with the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.