Pre Treatment Analyst

cityofkm; Kings Mountain (NC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kings Mountain is seeking a Pretreatment Analyst - WWTP Operator III/IV to enforce the Industrial Pretreatment Program and Fats, Oils, and Grease program. You will conduct inspections, sampling, permit preparation, enforcement actions, and provide outreach to industrial users.

This role requires strong regulatory knowledge, laboratory skills, and the ability to coordinate with plant staff and regulatory agencies to protect the wastewater system. Overtime and field work are common.

Qualifications

• Through knowledge of 40 CFR Part 403, NCDEQ wastewater regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of organic/inorganic chemistry related to wastewater.
• Experience operating and analyzing wastewater sampling and testing.
• Ability to read technical guidelines and prepare reports.
• Familiarity with GIS, Microsoft Office, and database tracking software.

Responsibilities

• Perform tests on industrial wastewater samples and coordinate results with plant operations.
• Analyze data to evaluate compliance and initiate enforcement when needed.
• Prepare reports and permits; advise plant personnel on controls.
• Coordinate lab analyses and review results from contracted labs.
• Set up sampling equipment and monitor permit compliance for industries.
• Respond to SSOs and participate in FOG program inspections.
• Provide outreach and training to industrial users and the public.
• Maintain records and assist in maintenance and plant operations.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Laboratory testing

Data interpretation

Report preparation

Communication skills

GIS & Office

Education

Chemistry/environmental science degree

Lab/wastewater experience

HS diploma + 6 yrs experience

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Analytical instruments

Job description

PRETREATMENT ANALYST - WWTP OPERATOR III/IV

General Statement of Duties

The Pretreatment Analyst- WWTP Operator III/IV performs technical and regulatory work in the administration and enforcement of the City’s Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wastewater regulations.

Duties include conducting inspections, compliance monitoring and sampling, evaluating analytical data, issuing permits, responding to sanitary sewer overflows, maintaining regulatory records, and providing outreach and training to industrial users, food service establishments, and the public. Assists with wastewater treatment plant operations and supports the protection of the City’s collection system and wastewater treatment plant through enforcement, reporting, and operational duties.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for administering and enforcing the City’s EPA-approved Industrial Pretreatment Program and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program to protect the wastewater collection and wastewater treatment plant. The employee exercises independent judgment in regulatory compliance, inspections, enforcement actions, and coordination with industrial users, food service establishments, regulatory agencies, and is a vital member of the wastewater treatment plant’s operations team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Performs tests on industrial wastewater samples; coordinates test results with plant operations, personnel, and industrial officials.
• Operates a computer to analyze and track analytical results to evaluate compliance, and initiate enforcement actions when necessary.
• Performs tests on industrial wastewater samples; coordinates test results with plant operations, personnel and industrial officials.
• Performs quality control program on sampling equipment and supplies to assure reliable test results; maintains sampling equipment in proper operating order.
• Interprets laboratory tests and prepares required reports; consults with, informs, and advises plant personnel about controls to be used, defects found, or changes in treatment process; participates in problem‑solving regarding process control.
• Coordinates contracted laboratory analyses, reviews results.
• Performs difficult technical work in the monitoring of industrial wastewater and other operational duties in a wastewater treatment plant.
• Sets up sampling equipment to monitor compliance of individual industries with their permit levels; communicates with industries concerning compliance and noncompliance; inspects industrial sites for compliance; maintains records and analysis program results; recommends changes in program to implement frequently changing regulations; monitors and records data for remediation sites.
• Interprets laboratory tests and prepares required reports; prepares industrial user permits, headworks analysis, enforcement response plan, and other reports and records as required.
• Consults with, informs, and advises industrial officials about controls to be used, defects found, or changes in treatment process.
• Participates in updating ordinances, policies, and practices related to program; calculates charges for exceeding permitted or surcharged limits.
• Calculates industrial user permit limits using computer; communicates and corresponds with industries, monitors industry performance in meeting permitted levels, assesses fines for noncompliance.
• Conducts oil and grease control program; works with FOG establishments to implement program; conducts inspections of oil and grease collection vessels; advises establishments regarding program.
• Responds to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and investigates potential grease-related causes.
• Conducts outreach and training for FOG establishments, property managers, haulers, and the public.
• Makes regular tours of plant and checks bar screens, generators, pumps, settling tanks, filters, clarifiers, chlorinators, and other equipment for proper functioning.
• Records data from various meters, gauges and dials; logs daily, weekly, and monthly activities.
• Performs standard laboratory chemical and biological tests.
• Performs general preventive and scheduled maintenance; assists on major maintenance and repairs.
• Fills various chemical tanks; starts and stops pumps.
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
• Performs other treatment plant operations, as required.
• Performs routine building and grounds maintenance including cleaning, mowing, and painting, as assigned.

Additional Job Duties

• May provide administrative leadership in the absence of the Wastewater ORC/ Supervisor.
• Performs additional related tasks as assigned.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Through knowledge of 40 CFR Part 403, NCDEQ wastewater regulations, laboratory techniques, including those used in difficult chemical and biochemical analysis of wastewater.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry as applied to wastewater treatment.
• Considerable knowledge of the operations of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Considerable knowledge of computer applications and peripherals in laboratory work.
• Ability to read and interpret technical federal and state guidelines on wastewater treatment procedures and tests and industrial pretreatment program requirements.
• Ability to interpret lab results/ engineering drawings, perform mathematical calculations, keep accurate records and prepare reports.
• Familiarity with GIS, Microsoft Office, and database tracking software.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills for fieldwork and interaction with industrial/FOG representatives and the public.
• Ability to manage enforcement diplomatically and work independently in diverse environments.
• Ability to provide training of operations or other staff in laboratory procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, superiors, contractors, industrial/FOG representatives, regulatory agencies, and the public.

Physical Requirements

• Excellent organizational and communication skills for fieldwork and interaction with industrial/FOG representatives and the public Must be able to perform the basic life functions of stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, and repetitive motions.

• Exposure to raw sewage, wastewater, fats, oils, grease, and confined spaces.
• Must be able to perform work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess visual acuity to prepare and analyze laboratory results, data, and figures, to operate a computer, and to perform visual inspection of various measurement devices.

Desirable Education and Experience

• Graduation from a community college with a degree in chemistry, environmental science or related field, and four years of laboratory/wastewater treatment experience; or BA/BS degree in chemistry or closely related field and six months of laboratory/wastewater treatment experience; or high school graduation and six years of laboratory/wastewater treatment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Special Requirements

• Legally eligible to work in the United States
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with the ability to meet the City’s Motor Vehicle Driver Eligibility Policy
• North Carolina Grade III/IV Biological Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification, preferred or required within 18 months of hire date
• North Carolina Pretreatment Consortium Grade III Pretreatment Program Specialist Certificate, preferred or required within 36 months of hire date

Salary Range (This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime)

$22.90 – $34.35 (hourly)
$47,627 – $71,440 (annually)