Plant Operator - Water Treatment Division

City of Richmond; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Richmond is seeking a Plant Operator to operate a 132 mgd water plant, ensuring compliance and safe, efficient operation. The role involves adjusting chemical dosages, collecting samples, and monitoring equipment and distribution systems.

Incumbents serve as Essential employees and may work nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call as needed. A high school diploma or GED is required, with Zone-specific license requirements and potential progression in the broad band program.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water treatment operations and regulations.
• Ability to operate valves, pumps, motors and related equipment.
• Ability to read diagrams, blueprints and process controls.
• Strong safety and laboratory analysis understanding.
• Clear communication and documentation of operations.

Responsibilities

• Adjust chemical dosages to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Collect water samples for laboratory analysis.
• Read, interpret, and adjust gauges, meters, and control panels.
• Document variations in operating conditions and processes.
• Record data, operate valves/gates, and control treatment processes.
• Monitor distribution system operations and coordinate with pump stations.

Skills

Water treatment knowledge

Valves, pumps, motors

Gauges, meters, control panels

Safety awareness

Written and oral communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree or higher in Biology/C Chemistry/Geology/Env. Sciences

Job description

The anticipated hiring range is $47,490 - $67,139.

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities - Water Treatment Division is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Plant Operator position to operate a 132 mgd water plant.

• Adjusting chemical dosages to maintain compliance with State and Federal regulations;
• Collecting samples of water to perform chemical laboratory analysis;
• Reading, interpreting and adjustinggages, meters and control panels to make sure plant equipment and processes are working properly;
• Observing and documenting variations in operating conditions to determine processing requirements;
• Recording operational data, operating valves and gates and starting and stopping plant equipment to control and adjust treatment process;
• Adjusting, monitoring and responding to operational situations involving the water distribution system;
• Monitoring pumping stations and coordinating with Pump Station operator on distribution system requirements

Incumbents serves as an Essential employee, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, or inclement weather.

This individual may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays or on-call as needed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of water treatment operations; operation of valves, pumps, and motors; principles and methods of laboratory water analyses; effects of water treatment processes, and potential issues that may arise; applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding water treatment; computer software used in water plant system controls and operations; basic mathematics calculations; basic science concepts and their applications in regards to plant operations; and safety Data Sheets.

Demonstrated skills to understanding diagrams and blueprints, reading and interpreting plans and specifications; safety in a water treatment or industrial environment; and decision making.

Demonstrated abilities to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community; operate and understand treatment or industrial equipment.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Zone I is a trainee level, preferably in the performance of utility tasks (Zones II through V will require additional experience and certifications as defined in the broad band program);
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Incumbents assigned to Zone II require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 4 Water Operator's License.
• Incumbents assigned to Zone III require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 3 Water Operator's License.
• Incumbents assigned to Zone IV require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 2 Water Operator's License.
• Incumbents assigned to Zone V require a Commonwealth of Virginia Level 1 Water Operator's License.

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Have Analytical skills -Water treatment plant and system operators must conduct tests and inspections on water or wastewater and evaluate the results.
• Be Detail oriented -Water treatment plant and system operators must monitor machinery, gauges, dials, and controls to ensure processes are operating properly. Drinking water is regulated by State and Federal officials, operators work should be accurate.
• Have Math skills -Water treatment plant and system operators must have the ability to apply data to formulas that determine treatment requirements, flow levels, and concentration levels;
• Be Mechanically Inclined -Water treatment plant and system operators should have basic mechanical knowledge that can be applied to treatment operations.
• License in Waterworksis a plus;
• Associate or higher degree in Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Environmental Sciences;
• Utility experience is a plus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push objects, pull objects, lift, use fingers and grasp objects. The working conditions may include exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases and potentially hazardous chemicals, working in or with wastewater. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.