Senior Water Plant Operator

City of Duluth; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Duluth is seeking a Senior Water Plant Operator to maintain safe and efficient operation of the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant and Water Supply System. This role requires independent judgment and compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Applicants should hold a Minnesota Class A/B Water Supply System Operator's Certificate (or be eligible) and have at least five years of experience operating potable water treatment facilities, with a preferred surface water background.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of full-time, verifiable professional experience operating a potable water treatment plant (surface water preferred).
• A Minnesota Class A or B Water Supply System Operator's Certificate is required for the Senior level.
• An Associate's Degree in Water Resource Technology or comparable degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete regular rounds and inspections of all Water Division facilities to ensure proper operations and security of all buildings and stations.
• Control the volume and pressure of raw, intermediate, backwash filters, and treated water to meet demand.
• Manage coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, fluoridation, and disinfection to meet potable water standards.
• Provide safe, high-quality water and conduct plant process testing and monitoring.
• Operate shifts, including weekends and holidays, and supervise with discretion as needed.
• Coordinate emergencies and repairs, directing personnel and equipment as required.
• Train new operators and coordinate with other City departments and agencies.

Education

Associate's Degree in Water Resource Technology or comparable degree

Minnesota Driver's License (Class D)

Minnesota Class A/B Water Supply System Operator's Certificate

Job description

About the Water Plant

The Lakewood Water Treatment Plant is responsible for treating and distributing the City of Duluth’s drinking water, sourced from Lake Superior. This facility plays a critical role in maintaining public health and meeting regulatory standards. Operators are essential to the day-to-day monitoring, operation, and maintenance of this system.

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To maintain the safe and efficient operation of the City's Water Treatment Plant and Water Supply System, including stations, towers, and reservoirs, in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Employees at the Senior Water Plant Operator level are distinguished from the Water Plant Operator level by possessing their Minnesota Class "A" or "B" Water Supply System Operator's certification. They are certified by the MDH, and possess the knowledge needed to perform duties as assigned, and are expected to function with the highest amount of plant and system knowledge. This level exercises independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The supervisor makes assignments by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines and assists incumbents with unusual situations which do not have clear precedents. Incumbents plan and carry out the successive steps and handle problems and deviations in the work assignment in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, or accepted practices in the occupation.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Does not have direct supervisory responsibility but does have significant oversight of employees or projects that require delegation and direction over the work of others.

1. 1. Complete regular rounds and inspections of all Water Division facilities to ensure proper operations and functioning of process equipment and security of all buildings and stations, including monitoring in extreme weather conditions, such as high winds, lightning, blizzards, extreme cold, and stormy conditions.
2. 2. Control the volume and pressure of raw, intermediate, backwash filters, and treated water to the appropriate points within the water system by monitoring and operating pumps and valves in order to meet demand for finished water.
3. 3. Controls coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, fluoridation, and disinfection in the treatment process to meet all applicable standards for potable water treatment.
4. 4. Provide safe, high quality water in adequate supply to meet health and sanitary needs of customers, and conduct laboratory testing and monitoring of the treatment plant process to ensure requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act are met.
5. 5. Operate second, third, weekend, and holiday shifts without supervision, and make decisions and maintain equipment and processes used in treating and delivering water to produce potable water in accordance with all applicable standards.
6. 6. Prioritize and process information pertaining to emergency maintenance needs by coordinating personnel and equipment to worksites.
7. 7. Make initial assessments of an emergency and determine degree of danger, damage, urgency, and inconvenience involved.
8. 8. Provide direction and assistance to others involved in operational and project problem solving.
9. 9. Troubleshoot and correct abnormal operating conditions in emergencies, and make split-second decisions without supervision, in mechanical process, instrumentation, electrical, equipment and call out appropriate personnel to repair.
10. 10. Assist with the delivery of hazardous chemicals received at the treatment facility.
11. 11. Record, update, and log all pertinent data and information in regards to operation, monitoring, dosages, chemicals, and records for the operations, towers, stations, and reservoirs.
12. 12. Collaborate with other individuals, within and without the City, in order to conduct regular repairs, upgrades, services, and emergency repairs that affect operations.
13. 13. Maintain the plant operations 24/7/365, including operating 12-hour shifts, holidays, and weekends.
14. 14. Be available in emergency situations, shift substitutions, to assist in operations of treatment plant or system.
15. 15. Coordinate repairs to plant, system, station, reservoirs, startup/shutdowns with other services and contractors.
16. 16. Train new operators in procedures and operations until ready to operate (4-6 months).
17. 17. Be an effective team member by exhibiting self-motivation, supporting other employees in handling tasks, interacting effectively and respectfully with others, showing a desire to contribute to the team effort, accepting assignments willingly, and completing tasks within agreed upon timelines.
18. 18. Coordinate with various City departments, other government agencies, and community groups to develop methods of sharing resources, minimizing duplication, and simplifying procedures.
19. 19. Provide training on new or modified procedures and policies to all affected parties.
20. 20. Coordinate and perform startups/shutdowns and operations of station pumps, reservoir levels, filters for work-pm-upgrades for functions and programs for the City.
21. 21. In collaboration with the supervisor, organize and direct the work activities of assigned team, and determine work priorities, assignments, and work schedules.
22. 22. Provide input on decisions regarding the hiring processes and onboarding procedures of personnel.
23. 23. Establish and maintain positive working relationship with the supervisor and employees by maintaining two-way communication, producing consistent results, advocating for the team when appropriate, and offering expertise to improve processes, systems, and the organization.
24. 24. Other duties may be assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

1. A. A minimum of five (5) years of full-time, verifiable professional experience operating a potable water treatment plant (surface water preferred).
2. B. Associate's Degree in Water Resource Technology or comparable degree preferred.

License Requirements

1. A. Possession of a Minnesota Class "A" or "B", Water Supply System Operator's Certificate.
2. B. Possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D driver's license or privilege.
3. C. Must obtain a Minnesota Special Boiler Operator's License within six (6) months of appointment and maintain thereafter.

Education/Experience Review (100% of scoring process; 70 pass point):

Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be rated based on the type (relatedness) and extent of their education and experience as documented on their application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Applicants who pass this exam will have their names placed on an eligible list for this classification.