PLANT OPERATOR 1

City of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 46,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Flexible Benefits Plans

Retirement Plan

Job summary

City of Cincinnati manages water treatment facilities and related operations. The role involves monitoring diverse equipment, performing routine maintenance, and ensuring continuous plant performance.

You will work under supervision and may handle multiple tasks to sustain safe operations. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and certification progress toward Ohio EPA Class I Water Supply Professional Operator.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or GED required.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Must obtain Class I Water Supply Professional Operator Certification (or Operator-In-Training) within probation.
• May require irregular/rotating shifts incl. weekends/holidays.

Responsibilities

• Monitor operation of processes and equipment to ensure normal, continuous operations.
• Perform routine process maintenance and respond to abnormal conditions to avoid failures.
• Read gauges, diagrams, and charts to assess plant conditions and take corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate written and computerized records and follow safety procedures.

Skills

Operate plant equipment

Monitor computer displays

Read gauges

Safety procedures

Valve operation

Record keeping

Repair & maintenance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Ohio EPA Class I Water Supply Certification (preferred)

Tools

Wrenches

Grease guns

Dippers

Pumps

Overhead cranes

Valves

Job description

General Statement of Duties

Under direct supervision, this employee is responsible for monitoring the proper operation of and controlling the various processes and equipment in a facility (e.g., water/wastewater treatment plant, pumping station). May perform process maintenance tasks to ensure normal, continuous operations. Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAs nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge Of

• High school mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; solving word problems using mathematical equations); high school algebra desirable.
• Safety policies and procedures, e.g., Employee Safety Instruction Manual and applicable agency requirements.

Skill To

• Operate and maintain plant equipment in a safe manner (including skimming, shoveling, turning large valves, controlling high pressure water hoses, climb ladders, replace shear pins, clean filters, and strainers).
• Monitor numerous computer displays and recognize priorities and need for modifications to avoid process upsets that may lead to OEPA or USEPA violations.
• Use tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, grease guns, etc.
• Use dippers to transfer samples into quart or gallons jars.
• Attach and detach discharge hoses, place submersible pumps in underwater tanks, pits, channels, etc.
• Operate a personal computer and other standard office equipment.
• Open and close valves sized from 1 inch to 72 inches, including some which require overhand or hand-over-hand operation.
• Move three cubic yard containers of grit, screening, etc., by level, moving containers on dollies, using overhead raking cranes, etc.
• Transport, set up, and use hoses varying in size from ¾ inch garden hoses to 3-inch fire hoses and 8-inch vactor hoses.
• Use basic tools to clean debris from pump casings and ball checks.
• Wipe and wash equipment and follow assigned cleaning schedule.
• Operate assigned vehicle in the course of duty.

Ability To

• Read gauges, diagrams, charts, and color computer video graphics.
• Solve word problems using mathematical equations.
• Recognize and respond to process conditions that may lead to process failures or problems.
• Read and follow instructions.
• Understand plant processes.
• Understand chemical and biological treatment characteristics and water/wastewater process control strategies.
• Tour plant often in inclement weather, over hard and slippery surfaces, while adhering to safety practices and procedures.
• Keep accurate written and computerized records.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with supervisors and coworkers.
• Remain calm in stressful situations.
• Hear and respond to telephone, alarm signals, and unusual noises in the plant.
• Work in confined spaces and at heights.
• Lift up to 60 lbs.
• Wear an air supplied and/or filter respiratory protection device in a manner that provides the required protection against toxic fumes, oxygen deficiency, dust, and/or airborne particles.
• Climb and descend ladders up to 25 feet.

Required Education and Experience

Each applicant must be a high school graduate or have passed the GED (General Education Development) test.

Other Requirements

• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• May be required to work irregular and/or rotating shifts including weekends and holidays.
• Positions within the Department of Water: Must have or obtain a Class I Water Supply Professional Operator Certification (or Operator-In-Training designation) and have satisfactory work performance during 12 month probationary period in order to pass probation. A Plant Operator 1 possessing the required Ohio EPA Class I Water Supply Professional Operator Certification and one year satisfactory performance as a Plant Operator 1 will be promoted without exam to Plant Operator 2.

Military Education & Experience Evaluation

Military education and experience may be substituted for college level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case by case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.

Working and Physical Conditions

Environmental Conditions

Indoor and outdoor environments; exposure to extreme heat and extreme cold; exposure to computer screens; work in confined spaces, closely with others, with machinery, on ladders/scaffolds; work around moving objects/vehicles, on slippery or uneven surfaces; work with electrical energy; exposure to vibrations, noise; exposure to dust, silica, etc.; exposure to fumes, smoke, gases; work with toxic chemicals; sewage.

Physical Conditions

• Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged periods of time.
• Moderate and heavy lifting and carrying.
• Pulling, pushing, reaching.
• Crawling, kneeling, bending, climbing.
• General manual dexterity required.
• Must be able to operate all assigned machinery.
• Must be able to operate assigned vehicle.
• For some positions, must maintain ability to pass annual respirator fit tests as required by OSHA.
• Must have good hearing and vision.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible Dependents Include

• Legal Spouse or Equal Partner
• Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")
• Step-child
• Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

Flexible Benefits Plans

Healthcare Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.

Dependent Care Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.