Operator \"A\" - Water Plant

West Columbia, City of (SC); South Carolina; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of West Columbia is seeking a Water Treatment Plant Operator to manage daily plant operations, monitor SCADA, and ensure safe drinking water for West Columbia, the Town of Lexington and Lexington County.

The candidate will handle chemical dosing, run tests on water samples, maintain equipment, and keep precise records for regulatory compliance. Shift work includes nights and weekends as part of a 12-hour rotational schedule.

Qualifications

• Vocational/technical training in water treatment plant operations required.
• One year of experience in water treatment plant operations preferred; otherwise equivalent education/experience.
• Must possess Water Treatment Plant Operator “A” certification.

Responsibilities

• Operates pumps, motors, valves to regulate raw water flow.
• Monitors and operates SCADA system.
• Adds chemicals and calibrates dosing to disinfect and clarify water.
• Starts mixers and controls to settle impurities.
• Regulates water distribution and maintains records.
• Cleans and maintains plant facilities and equipment.
• Performs tests on water samples and records results.
• Maintains charts and reports per SC DHEC requirements.

Skills

Water treatment operations

SCADA system operation

Chemical handling

Equipment operation

Report preparation

Education

Vocational/technical training in water treatment plant operations

Tools

Chlorine OSG

Turbidity meter

pH meter

Calibration records

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, operates water treatment plant and pump station in accordance with established rules, regulations, standards and guidelines to supply safe, potable water to the citizens of West Columbia, the Town of Lexington and Lexington County. Tasks include operating and maintaining equipment, taking water samples, performing quality tests on water samples, checking water pressures, preparing reports, etc. Reports to the Water Plant Superintendent.

POSITION HOURS

Rotational 12-hour shift from 7 to 7, which includes working weekends and holidays.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operates and controls electric motors, pumps and valves to regulate flow of raw water treating plant.
• Operates and monitors SCADA System.
• Loads specified amounts of chemicals, such as chlorine, ammonia and lime into water or adjusts automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into treatment section to disinfect and clarify water.
• Starts flash mixers to mix chemicals and allow impurities to settle to bottom of basin.
• Turns valves to regulate water through filter beds to remove impurities.
• Pumps purified water into water mains and storage tanks.
• Monitors panel board and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, loss of head pressure, water elevation and the distribution of water.
• Cleans filter beds using backwash system and periodically cleans filter basins and settlement basins with a pressure washer.
• Tests water samples to determine acidity, color and impurities using colorimeter, turbidimeter and conductivity meters.
• Records data such as residual content of chemicals, water turbidity and water pressures.
• Prepares various records and reports including flow charts, filter backwash charts, turbidity charts, bacteria records, dosage charts, calibration records, etc. Maintains such records and reports as directed by SC DHEC.
• Operates/utilizes a variety of types of equipment including water pumps, chlorine onsite generator (OSG) unit, alum feeder, lime/caustic feeder, fluoride feeder, turbidity meter, autoclave, diagnostic instruments, laboratory equipment, mechanic’ tools, etc.
• Cleans and maintains administrative, chemical, raw water and high service pump buildings.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Requires a vocational/technical school education/training in water treatment plant operations and one year experience in water treatment plant operations; or any equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities for the position. Must possess certification as a Water Treatment Plant Operator “A”.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of types of equipment including pumps, flashmixers, turbidity meter, PH meter, autoclave, lime feeder, alum feeder, chlorinator, control board, various types of mechanic’s tools and supplies, etc. Must be physically able to exert up to 25 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of sedentary work; position requires constant standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, and climbing. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of approximately 50 pounds.

Data Conception

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor.

Language Ability

Requires the ability to read and understand a variety of documents, reports and manuals. Requires the ability to prepare various charts, records and reports relative to water testing and other activities. Requires the ability to interact with supervisor, co-workers, other department personnel and the general public, etc., with poise, voice control, and confidence.

Intelligence

Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems such as water treatment processes in order to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude

Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions.

Numerical Aptitude

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers; to determine percentages and utilize decimals; to apply algebraic principles; and to determine time and weight.

Form/Spatial Aptitude

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Manual Dexterity

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have moderate levels of