Lead Water Plant Operator

ISAWWA; Countryside (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ISAWWA in Countryside, IL is seeking a Water System Operator responsible for daily operation of pump stations, storage reservoirs, valves, disinfection, corrosion control, and to document compliance with public health regulations.

You will perform inspections, operate SCADA equipment, collect samples, adjust chemical dosages, and help train staff while on a rotating standby schedule and responding to alarms within 30 minutes.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3-5 years in water system operations or related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the City’s Registered Person in responsible Charge of the water supply in accordance with Illinois EPA requirements.
• Operates telemetry and SCADA equipment.
• Performs daily water samples and transports to a qualified lab for analysis.
• Monitors and operates controls to maintain optimum system conditions.
• Adjusts dosage of treatment chemicals for disinfection and corrosion control.
• Inspects and maintains safety equipment and coordinates workload.
• Performs underground utility locates and reads meters.
• On standby rotations with 24-hour call responses.

Skills

Water system operations

SCADA operation

Safety procedures

Math calculations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SCADA systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Performs complex operation and maintenance work of the water supply system including pump stations, storage reservoirs, flow regulating valves, disinfection, corrosion control, emergency power generation system and facilities necessary to maintain a safe and continuous potable water supply, as well as compilation and documentation necessary to assure the City maintains its water supply system status and adherence to applicable state and federal public health regulations and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the City’s Registered Person in responsible Charge of the water supply in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
• Performs regular inspections of water supply facilities and equipment. Operates telemetry and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment.
• Compiles water system data such as flow, reservoir levels, water turbidity, treatment chemical dosage, chlorine residual, pH, and hours of pump operation, water temperature, bacteriological sample results and related information and makes adjustments as necessary in order to comply with local, state and federal regulations.
• Takes daily water samples, or as required, and transports to a qualified lab for analysis.
• Monitors and operates electronic and manual controls to operate flow valves, pump stations, water treatment equipment and water quality analyzers to maintain optimum system conditions.
• Adjust dosage of treatment chemicals used for disinfection and corrosion control. This may include working with hazardous chemicals such as chlorine.
• Receives and transports chlorine to approved storage location. Changes chlorine cylinders as necessary.
• Performs installation, maintenance, and adjustments to more complex system components such as pumps and control valves including the replacement of gaskets, seals, or packing, the alignment of pump and motor couplings, and checking the lubrication of bearings to insure proper operation.
• Inspects and maintains safety equipment such as Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, gas detectors, and emergency eyewash stations and shower stations.
• Coordinates and prioritizes work load with Water Plant Operator to assure even distribution of work load and assure that the most critical tasks are completed.
• Assists in the training of the Water Plant Operator and helps them with system operations and maintenance when necessary.
• Prepares the monthly water system reports.
• Maintains facilities in a safe, orderly and clean manner.
• Performs underground utility locates for City water, sewer and street lighting systems.
• Installs, troubleshoots and repairs water meters.
• Reads meters and works closely with the Finance Department to resolve water billing problems.
• Work requires being placed on a rotating weeklong standby and responding to system alarms and emergencies on a 24-hous basis.
• Employee will be required to carry a pager and/or cellular telephone. Employee must remain within a 30-minute response time to the water system service area while on standby.
• Makes recommendations for the water supply system annual budget.
• Operates motor vehicles and equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL

• Valid driver’s license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3-5 years in water system operations or related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, vendors and the public.
• Water and sanitary sewer system operations, maintenance and procedures.
• Local, state and federal regulations for water system and sanitary sewer system compliance.
• Knowledge of hydraulics, mechanical and electrical theory.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and computerized SCADA systems helpful.
• Knowledge of water system emergency response procedures.
• Work independently or cooperatively with others. Ability to understand and follow written and oral directions.
• Ability to change chlorine cylinders.
• Accurately calculate routine math problems related to water system flows, volumes, pressures and chemical dosage as necessary.
• Write system status reports and memos.
• Safely operate basic hand and power tools and practice safe work practices including confined space entry, traffic control management and hazardous chemical handling.
• Remain alert and aware of water system operational status and recognize changes needed and problems occurring and take appropriate action.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Class "C" Drinking Water Operator's Certificate.