Plant Operator - Water Treatment

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Johns County is seeking a Water Treatment Plant Operator to support operations in maintaining clean drinking water for residents. This position requires a valid Florida Operator License and emphasizes teamwork, communication, and adherence to safety standards in a shift work environment. Various levels of operation exist from Trainee to III based on qualifications and experience, with structured training to support career progression.

Benefits

Health benefits

Paid training

Vacation and sick leave

Qualifications

• Valid Florida Class E Driver's License required.
• Ability to comprehend, speak, and write English.
• Capable of operating a computer.

Responsibilities

• Operates a water treatment plant; monitors chemical feeds.
• Responds to customer complaints and cleans various meters.
• Maintains and repairs operational equipment at well fields.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a Water Treatment Plant Operator for our well-established Utility Department whose headquarters are located in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida.

St. Johns County residents enjoy a healthy quality of life with many perks including one of the top-rated public-school systems in the State of Florida, miles of beach shoreline, peaceful estuary scenery of the St. Johns River, long established agriculture and equestrian scene, and the nation’s oldest city, historic St. Augustine. In 2019 St. Johns County was ranked the 10^th fastest growing county in the United States showcasing that there is truly something for everyone in St. Johns County!

Employees work in a team-oriented environment in a variety of divisions with two common goals in mind: to provide the best services to our citizens and to be the best public utility in North Florida.

This position is responsible for participating in the day-to-day operation of a water treatment plant. St. Johns County maintains 24-hour staff operations and employees will be required to work shift work as assigned. An employee may be designated as Water Treatment Plant Operator C, B, A, or Trainee, depending on licensure and experience.

The work consists of related plant operation duties. Strict and frequently changing regulations contribute to the complexity of the position. The purpose of this position is to participate in the operations of a water treatment plant. Success in this position contributes to the provision of clean and safe drinking water to area residents. Contacts are typically with other county employees, vendors, state and federal regulatory agents, and members of the general public. Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, or to resolve problems.

The ideal Water Treatment Plant Operator candidate must possess St. Johns County’s core values of Dedication, Openness, Adaptability, Visionary, Fiscal Responsibility, Integrity, Humility and must work well in a collaborative team environment. Some of the specific tasks include but are not limited to:

• Operates a water treatment plant; monitors chemical feeds and flows.
• Maintains, services and repairs operational equipment at well fields.
• Collect compliance samples.
• Responds to customer complaints and questions.
• Cleans and calibrates various types of meters used in the treatment plant.
• Performs preventive maintenance on pumps and motors.
• Monitors SCADA and reports alarms to appropriate personnel.
• Maintains buildings and grounds.
• Flushes hydrants and service lines.
• Changes treatment filters.
• Maintains a full-time presence on the job.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

A candidate will be designated as a Plant Operator Trainee and placed at apay grade 12 with the following qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent recognized certification.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Water or Wastewater Plant Operator Class “C” License as set forth in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-602, DEP describing Water or Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license must be obtained within two (2) years from date of hire. Without special extension granted by Department Director, failure to maintain and achieve necessary training, education, experience, and required license(s) will result in termination of employment or position.
• Completion of County training course work required under the Plant Operator Trainee, Training Program or demonstration of equivalent training and proficiency. Employee must obtain a certification training score of seventy (70%) percent or higher on the Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA) assessment evaluation at the end of the training program.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver’s License and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.
• Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills in order to serve others.
• Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.
• Must be able to operate a computer.

A candidate will be designated as a Plant Operator I and placed at a pay grade 14 with the following minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent recognized certification.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/ internship or experience working in a similar position for a minimum of one (1) year.
• Must possess and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Water or Wastewater Plant Operator Class “C” License as set forth in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-602, DEP describing Water or Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license requirements. Designated area of assignment determines certification requirements.
• Completion of County training course work required under the Plant Operator I Training Program or demonstration of equivalent training and proficiency. Employees must obtain a certification training score of seventy (70%) percent or higher on the Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA) assessment evaluation at the end of the training program.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver’s License and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.
• Possession of specific additional certifications/endorsements/licenses as outlined in the Progression Through Training Program Manual (PTTPM) may qualify for additional incentive pay.
• Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills in order to serve others.
• Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.
• Must be able to operate a computer.

A candidate will be designated as aPlant Operator II and placed at a pay grade 16 with the following qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent recognized certification.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions to be able to answer questions and resolve problems.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience in Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant operation and maintenance.
• Must possess and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Water or Wastewater Plant Operator Class “B” License as set forth in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-602, DEP describing Water or Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license requirements. Designated area of assignment determines certification requirements.
• Completion of County training course work required under the Plant Operator II Training Program or demonstration of equivalent training and proficiency. Employees must obtain a certification training score of seventy (70%) percent or higher on the Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA) assessment evaluation at the end of the training program.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver’s License and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.
• Possession of specific additional certifications/endorsements/licenses as outlined in the Progression Through Training Program Manual (PTTPM) may qualify for additional incentive pay.
• Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills in order to serve others.
• Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.
• Must be able to operate a computer.

A candidate will be designated as aPlant Operator III and placed at a pay grade 18 with the following qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent recognized certification.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the work of subordinate positions to be able to answer questions and resolve problems.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience in Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant operation and maintenance.
• Must possess and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Water or Wastewater Plant Operator Class “A” License as set forth in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-602, DEP describing Water or Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license requirements. Designated area of assignment determines certification requirements.
• Completion of County training course work required under the Plant Operator III Training Program or demonstration of equivalent training and proficiency. Employees must obtain a certification training score of seventy (70%) percent or higher on the Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA) assessment evaluation at the end of the training program.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver’s License and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.
• Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills in order to serve others.
• Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.
• Must be able to operate a computer.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:

Candidates may apply through St. Johns County’s Online Application System:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sjcfl

Applications must be submitted through St. Johns County’s Online Application System in order to be considered. Paper documents, emailed resumes or otherwise are not accepted in lieu of an application. All applications must be submitted before the advertised closing date.

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is a drug free workplace and equal opportunity employer.

All employment actions are taken without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.