Plant Operator

City of Kennewick; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kennewick seeks a Plant Operator or Operator-In-Training to perform a range of wastewater treatment duties, including monitoring equipment, collecting samples, and maintaining facilities. The role requires flexibility for on-call, holidays, and overtime.

Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and be able to obtain WA operator licenses within required timeframes. Training paths lead to Operator II–IV levels with progression based on certification and experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 12 months experience in a wastewater facility or sewer system.
• Must obtain Washington Wastewater Operator license within required timelines.

Responsibilities

• Operates and monitors headwork screens, pumps, and related equipment.
• Collects influent and effluent samples and performs laboratory analyses per guidelines.
• Performs maintenance, repair, and routine housekeeping of pumps and related facilities.

Job description

The City is currently recruiting to fill one vacancy, which may be filled at either the Operator-in-Training or Plant Operator level.

See the Operator-In-Training posting for more information on that position.

CORE VALUE STATEMENT

The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT

We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers; leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; and emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY

General Statement of Duties

Under general supervision, Plant Operators and Operator-In-Trainings performs a variety of work, including installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of various wastewater system components. Performs wastewater sampling, monitoring, reporting, or other work as required to assure proper performance and conformance with program guidelines, criteria, and City specifications. Performs related work as required. Work hours are varied and include on-call (for Plant Operators only), holidays and overtime work, including evenings and weekends.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Plant Operator and Operator-In-Training performs a wide variety of skilled, semi-skilled, and general work in wastewater treatment plant or collections divisions of the Public Works Department, and may be temporarily assigned to other departments within the City as required. Must possess the skills, knowledge, and physical capabilities to perform the duties of the position and must comply with City and department policies, procedures, and methods at all times. Must demonstrate an ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision. Must plan the details necessary to carry out assignments, use considerable initiative in identifying and resolving problems, and perform related work as required.

A Plant Operator is classified as Level II, III, or IV based on job-required qualifications and the level of State of Washington Department of Ecology Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License that is obtained.

Operator & OIT Salary Schedules

• Operator-In-Training Group II
  • 1 31.27
  • 2 32.22
  • 3 33.18
  • 4 34.17
  • 5 35.21
  • 6 36.25
• Plant Operator Level II
  • 1 34.74
  • 2 35.80
  • 3 36.87
  • 4 37.97
  • 5 39.12
  • 6 40.28
• Plant Operator Level III
  • 1 38.38
  • 2 39.15
  • 3 39.91
  • 4 40.74
  • 5 41.54
  • 6 42.37
• Plant Operator Level IV
  • 1 40.76
  • 2 41.57
  • 3 42.41
  • 4 43.25
  • 5 44.11
  • 6 44.99

Wastewater Treatment Plant – Operator & Operator-In-Training

Operates and monitors the headwork screens, sprayers, motors and screw press; operates manual equipment to skim clarifiers; collects influent and effluent samples from designated areas and performs laboratory analyses to evaluate such factors as pH level, dissolved oxygen content, biochemical oxygen demand, amount of suspended solids and temperatures; identifies problems and deficiencies and performs general maintenance, housekeeping and repair of pumps, equipment and related sewage facilities; operates all pumps associated with wastewater treatment; washes out clarifiers; performs fecal coliform tests; monitors sludge moisture; reads flow meters and records observations; checks flow loggers and makes adjustments as necessary; maintains ability to perform chlorine residual tests; cleans trash from lagoons and screens; operates and maintains the biosolids facility, including belt presses, pasteurizer oven, polymer system, pumps, mixer, boilers, pelletizer, extructor, conveyors and other equipment as needed; operate equipment, such as loader, tractor with tiller, manlift and forklift, provides tours of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and biosolids and explains its function and operation; assists the Wastewater Collections Division, Automated Controls & Telemetry Specialist as directed; checks and records weather data; has a thorough understanding of the laboratory process and analytical testing,; maintains municipal lift stations; makes weekly rounds; assures all wastewater auxiliary pumping systems are operating properly; educates the public on the proper operation of a wide variety of wastewater quality control devices; assists in commercial and industrial pretreatment inspections pursuant to City program and Department of Ecology guidelines; repairs and maintains pumps, pump stations, lift stations, and other sewer system components; and performs related work and weekend, holidays, on-call (Plant Operators only) and overtime work as required.

Performs, interprets, evaluates, and records standard laboratory tests on wastewater samples to evaluate such factors as Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Oxygen Content, Fecal Coliform, and pH; prepares periodic and specialized reports following the results of laboratory testing and makes recommendations regarding treatment plant process control; performs, checks and operates a variety of wastewater treatment and laboratory testing equipment such as dissolved oxygen meters, microscopes, spectrophotometers, pH meters, filtration devices, ovens, furnaces, distilling apparatus, and incubators ; collects wastewater samples in the treatment plant and assists Plant Operators in sample collection as needed; performs, interprets, evaluates and records standard laboratory tests on bio-solids and composite samples.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Regardless of level, a Plant Operator must meet the following minimum qualifications: must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. and at least twelve (12) months of experience in general maintenance of a Wastewater Treatment Plant or sewer system of equivalent capacity, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must demonstrate knowledge of the methods, tools, materials, and practices involved in the installation, repair, service, and construction of sewer lines and related equipment; ability to read and interpret maps, plans, blueprints, and similar engineering drawings; ability to operate all equipment required of the position; ability to operate heavy equipment as a relief operator as needed; and knowledge of safety and traffic control procedures. Must demonstrate ability to work independently, identifying problems, and exercising considerable initiative in making needed repairs; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the general public and fellow employees; and ability to oversee personnel in lower classifications.

Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Washington State Driver's License. Must possess or obtain the following within six (6) months: first aid and any other appropriate certifications as required by law, ordinance, or department regulations.

Additional Minimum Requirements per Division:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant, Plant Operator – State of Washington Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Level II (Operator II classification) within eighteen (18) months from date of hire.
  1. Optional - Level III (Operator III classification);
  2. Optional - Level IV (Operator IV classification).

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-In-Training

Regardless of level, a Plant Operator-In-Training must meet the following minimum qualifications: must possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. Must demonstrate knowledge of the methods, tools, materials, and practices involved in the installation, repair, service, and construction of sewer lines and related equipment; ability to read and interpret maps, plans, blueprints, and similar engineering drawings; ability to operate all equipment required of the position; ability to operate heavy equipment as a relief operator as needed; and knowledge of safety and traffic control procedures. Must demonstrate ability to work independently, identifying problems, and exercising considerable initiative in making needed repairs; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the general public and fellow employees; and ability to oversee personnel in lower classifications.

Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Washington State Driver's License. Must possess or obtain the following within six (6) months: first aid and any other appropriate certifications as required by law, ordinance, or department regulations.

Additional Minimum Requirements per Division:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant, Plant Operator – State of Washington Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator-In-Training Level II within twenty-four (24) months from date of hire.
  1. After satisfying the required operating experience as outlined in WAC 173-230-250, the certification is upgraded to a Group II classification, at which time the position advances to Plant Operator Level II.