Operator Trainee Water Filtration

City of Phenix City; Phenix City (AL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Phenix City in Phenix City, AL seeks a Water Plant Operator to monitor control panels, interpret readings, and regulate flow through gates and pumps. The role involves maintenance, sample collection, and compliance with ADEM procedures.

Requirements include a High School Diploma and Grade IV Water ADEM Certification within 3 years of hire; the position offers a varied 40-hour week with overtime as needed on-site.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water treatment processes and equipment operation.
• Familiarity with laboratory testing procedures.
• Understanding municipal water systems and department procedures.
• Ability to read maps and technical manuals.
• Proficiency with basic computer tools and reporting software (SCADA).

Responsibilities

• Monitor control panel readings and regulate gates/valves.
• Perform routine maintenance on pumps and related equipment.
• Take water samples and conduct tests according to procedures.
• Record test results and maintain maintenance logs.
• Support on-the-job training and certification requirements.

Skills

Water treatment

Organization procedures

Municipal system knowledge

Safety awareness

SCADA

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Department: Utilities – WFP
Supervisor: Plant Superintendent

Date Needed: ASAP
Number of Employees Requested: One
Work Hours: Varied – 40 hours per week, overtime as needed

Job Summary

Monitors control panel and interprets meter and gauge readings, adjusts gates and valves to regulate the flow of water and maintains log of gauge readings; performs scheduled maintenance of pumps, generators and related equipment, repairs or replaces parts using hand and power tools; tests repaired equipment to ensure proper performance; collects water samples and performs tests prescribed by ADEM, records results and submits necessary reports; studies manuals and related technical literature, attends classes and participates in on-the-job training to prepare for certification exams and performs additional tasks in support of the department as needed or upon request.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statement of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required, assigned and expected aside from those set forth below to address operational needs and changing operational practices.

• Monitors control panel, conducts on-site observations and interprets meter and gauge readings and test to determine operating conditions.

• Adjusts gates and valves manually or by remote control to regulate the flow of water through plant.

• Starts and stops pumps to control flow of water from river through temporary storage, chemical feed, rapid mix, flocculator, settling basin, filters, post chemical, rapid mix, clear well, and delivery to water mains or storage tanks.

• Maintains log of operations and records meter and gauge readings.

• Periodically washes and back washes filters.

• Performs scheduled maintenance of pumps, generates and related water plant equipment.

• Cleans precipitates, such as grit, sludge and debris from processing tanks and basins.

• Observes/listens to operation of equipment and machinery to locate problems.

• Disassembles pumps and similar equipment as necessary to diagnose malfunction and gain access to and remove defective parts.

• May repair or replace parts, using hand and power tools.

• May remove entire equipment or major assembly for repair by vendor.

• Starts and tests repaired equipment to ensure proper performance.

• May initiate requisitions for parts or equipment.

• Maintains appropriate maintenance records.

• Takes water samples; may be piped in to laboratory; may collect by hand.

• Performs tests using testing equipment including alkalinity, pH, Carbon Dioxide, Iron, Manganese, Fluoride, saturation, turbidity, color, phosphate, total hardness, calcium hardness, temperature and according to procedures set forth by ADEM.

• Records tests results and submit reports as required.

• Studies manuals and related technical literature.

• Participate in on the-job training under guidance of certified operators.

• Attends classes to maintain certification.

• Cuts grass, trims shrubbery picks up debris and related grounds maintenance tasks.

• Sweeps floors, hoses down walkways, washes and puts away laboratory equipment and performs related housekeeping tasks.

• Performs preventive maintenance services on assigned vehicles and equipment.

• Performs light building maintenance services including painting and minor electrical and mechanical repairs.

Qualifications

Education & Experience Guidelines
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities required for this position would be:

Education/Training
High School Diploma

Experience
N/A

Licenses or Certifications Required
Grade IV Water ADEM Certification must be obtained within 3 years of hire.

The following generally describes the knowledge and abilities required in order to successfully perform the assigned duties of the position:

Knowledge of:

• Water treatment including processes, operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment and laboratory testing procedures

• Organization and operating procedures of Utilities Department

• Municipal water treatment and distribution system

• City of Phenix City procedures and work rules

Ability to:

• Read to comprehend maps, blueprints, procedures, regulations, technical manuals and related highly complex documents

• Write to prepare forms and records, memoranda, reports, schedules and similar documents Utilize math skills to solve problems involving percentages, proportions, rates chemical formulas and algebraic equations

• Verbally communicate to speak to individuals and small groups, talk on telephone and two-way radio

• To perform tests and work with chemical equations

• Utilize computer skills including keyboarding, text processing and use of specialized programs including SCAD used to process water and generate reports

• Apply technical knowledge to make correct operational decisions

• Work as a member of a team

• Work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner