Senior Water Reclamation Plant Operator

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District; Calabasas (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in Calabasas, CA, seeks a Senior Water Reclamation Plant Operator to lead plant operators and oversee operation, maintenance and repair of equipment at the Water Reclamation Plant.

The role requires coordinating daily activities, scheduling preventive maintenance, and training staff to ensure safety and compliance with state and federal standards. A minimum of four years’ related experience and certifications are required.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in operation and maintenance of a water reclamation or wastewater treatment plant.
• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• A valid California class C driver’s license must be maintained at all times.
• A California State Grade III Wastewater Certification is required; Grade IV within 18 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Water Reclamation Plant Operators and operate, maintain and repair plant equipment.
• Coordinate work and scheduling with other activities; ensure duties are completed.
• Plan, prioritize and coordinate maintenance and preventive maintenance work.
• Train employees, conduct safety meetings and evaluate performance.
• Prepare requisitions, inventory, and budget recommendations.
• Inspect facilities and read engineering drawings.

Skills

Experience in water reclamation/WWTP

Read and interpret blueprints

Operate SCADA systems

Plan, organize, prioritize

Safety compliance

Team leadership

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Under general supervision of the Chief Water Reclamation Plant Operator, a Senior Water Reclamation Plant Operator coordinates and leads Water Reclamation Plant Operators and operates, maintains and repairs equipment and components associated with the Water Reclamation Plant.

A Senior Water Reclamation Plant Operator is required to work extended shifts and/or split schedules on a seven day a week basis, during after-hours, on-call and unusual or emergency conditions.

This recruitment is being conducted to establish an eligibility list to fill current and upcoming vacancies within the classification during the life of the eligibility list, up to one year. The current opening is a full-time position located in the Water Operations Department.

Leads the operation of the water reclamation plant and the centrate treatment facility and other areas involved in plant operations in accordance with State and Federal requirements; acts in the capacity of the Chief Water Reclamation Plant Operator as the "Operator in Charge" in their absence.

Collaborates with the Chief Water Reclamation Plant Operator to coordinate work and scheduling with other activities; ensures daily, weekly, and monthly duties are completed by Water Reclamation Plant Operators in their assigned areas.

Plans, prioritizes, schedules and coordinates emergency and regular repair/maintenance and periodic preventive maintenance work for plant facilities, equipment and instruments; reviews plant repair and equipment specifications; monitors industry trends; prepares work orders, assembles materials, supplies and equipment, assigns work, reviews work, maintains written records of work performed.

Trains employees, conducts safety and staff meetings, and assists with the evaluation of employee performance, counseling of employees and disciplinary actions; ensures adherence and compliance with safety and health policies and procedures as well as state and federal laws and regulations; trains employees and monitors safety practices; periodically evaluates worksites to ensure safe conditions; attends all required safety trainings/meetings.

Prepares requisitions for contract labor, materials, supplies, and equipment; maintains inventory; approves invoices for payment; reviews unit operating cost and makes budget recommendations.

Inspects facilities; reads and interprets engineering drawings related to maintenance; coordinates equipment calibration and the collection and analysis of plant samples.

Maintains records, prepares reports and operating procedures; files reports to State and Federal agencies; secures required permits.

Performs the duties and tasks of the Water Reclamation Plant Operator OIT/I/II/IIIs as needed.

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE OF AND PERFORMANCE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

• Proper and safe use of various hand and power tools and equipment employed in repair and maintenance work;
• Principals and Federal and State requirements relative to water reclamation plant and compost facility operations, and water distribution operations;
• Safe working practices and working with hazardous chemicals and materials;
• Basic chemistry and laboratory procedures.

ABILITY TO:

• Perform manual labor, use basic hand tools, perform repair and maintenance tasks;
• Plan, organize, prioritize and schedule work;
• Direct the activities of a small work group;
• Schedule and coordinate a variety of work activities and appointments with employees and vendors to support process operations;
• Implement, monitor, and enforce appropriate safety precautions and procedures;
• Perform work in a safe manner and in compliance with safety standards, practices, policies, and procedures;
• Understand Water Reclamation Plant and/or compost facility operations and equipment;
• Read and interpret technical manuals, equipment manuals, drawings and blueprints;
• Operate SCADA systems, monitor process data, and troubleshoot system issues to support continuous operations;
• Read and interpret technical manuals and equipment manuals and engineering drawings and blueprints;
• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database applications;
• Perform mathematical computations; prepare written reports; make oral presentations;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Operate mechanical equipment and trucks;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, supervisors, customers, and the public.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Sufficient eyesight to read standard text and data on computer terminal screens;
• Ability to speak and hear at normal conversational levels in person and over the telephone;
• Manual dexterity to use hand and power tools;
• Ability to reach, bend or stoop in performing work;
• Ability to lift and carry up to approximately fifty pounds of equipment and/or materials.

Any combination of training and experience, which demonstrates attainment of the required knowledge and ability to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation, if needed), typically:

EDUCATION:

High School diploma or equivalent is required.

EXPERIENCE:

Four (4) years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a water reclamation or wastewater treatment plant.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

A valid California class C driver’s license must be maintained at all times.

A State of California Grade III Wastewater Certification by the California State Water Resources Control Board is required. A State of California Grade IV Wastewater Certification by the California State Water Resources Control Board is required within 18 months of employment.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

A Grade V Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board is desirable.

ABOUT THE LAS VIRGENES MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (LVMWD):

THE LOCATION

LVMWD headquarters is located in Calabasas, CA. Nestled in the oak dotted foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, the upscale community with small town charm features a progressive local economy, safe neighborhoods, blue ribbon schools and supports healthy lifestyles.

WHAT WE DO

Joining the team at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) means you will be a part of a highly-skilled and well-respected professional labor force. LVMWD provides the critical service of delivering safe, reliable potable water and, along with the Triunfo Water & Sanitation District operated under a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), provides wastewater treatment, recycled water service and biosolids composting. The LVMWD service area spans 123-square miles serving the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, and Westlake Village, as well as the neighboring unincorporated areas of western Los Angeles County. LVMWD currently provides water service to a population of approximately 74,000 people including residential and commercial customers.

For more information on the services we provide, please visit the LVMWD website: https://www.lvmwd.gov/.

OUR VALUES

Every day, the 130 dedicated employees of LVMWD work to efficiently deliver safe, clean, dependable water and provide environmentally protective wastewater treatment services. Following the example from nature around us, LVMWD works to maximize the region’s limited water resources by “Valuing Every Drop - Bringing Water Full Circle.”

The District is committed to the values of integrity, respect, commitment, responsibility, collaboration, and leadership. We are committed to fostering and maintaining a workplace culture that promotes and supports a highly effective workforce. We seek to hire candidates whose values align with ours and who will contribute positively to the workplace culture.

For more information on our mission, vision, and values, please visit https://www.lvmwd.gov/mission-vision-statement-01468ff.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical impairment, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, or age (except where a bona fide occupational qualification). The District will act to ensure equal treatment to all persons in matters affecting recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, assignment, benefits, training, and layoff practices, and any other matters affecting employment with the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. The same policy applies to all qualified Vietnam-era veterans, disabled veterans or other persons with disabilities that are capable of performing a particular job with reasonable accommodation to their disability.

ACCOMMODATIONS

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in the selection process please notify Human Resources, in writing, upon applying.

ELIGIBILITY LIST

Those candidates who pass the structured interview will be placed on an eligibility list for the classification in order of their score, ranked from the highest to the lowest score. Eligibility lists are valid for up to one year, unless a new eligibility list for the same classification is established.

SELECTION INTERVIEW

Typical, the top three ranks from the eligibility list are invited to a selection interview with the hiring supervisor and other district representatives. The hiring supervisor, with input from those who assist on the selection interview, selects a candidate for hire.

CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

A conditional offer of employment will be provided to the prospective candidate after the selected candidate is approved by the General Manager. The conditional offer of employment is conditioned based on the candidate’s successful completion of a background check, pre-employment physical and, depending on the position, a pre-employment drug test.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

The pre-employment process consists of a background check and post-offer pre-employment medical examination and drug screen (if applicable). The background check will consist of verification of information provided on the job application such as education, employment history, driving status, possession of certifications, references, criminal records, and other information required and deemed necessary for the position. A pre-employment drug test will be conducted for prospective employees who will be designated as a “covered employee” under the district’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, pursuant to Department of Transportation Regulations, as well as for prospective employees assuming safety-sensitive positions.

OFFICIAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

After successful completion of the background check, pre-employment medical examination and, if required for the position, pre-employment drug test, an official written offer of employment will be provided to the candidate.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD FOR EMPLOYEES NOT DEEMED AT-WILL

This is a for-cause position. However, an employee hired into this classification is assigned a probationary period and is in at-will status for the duration of their probationary period. The probationary period is part of the examination process and is used to determine whether work performance or work-related behavior meets the required standards of the position. A probationary employee may be released at any time during the probationary period with or without cause or reason, without notice or appeal or grievance, and without any rights set forth in Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). Unless otherwise specified by Memorandums of Understanding or the district’s Hiring Policy, the probationary period for newly hired employees is 12 months of actual and continuous service. The probationary period can also be extended by the District at the discretion of the General Manager or their designee.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND OTHER INFORMATION

For information about our benefits, salaries, job descriptions, and other employment opportunities, please visit our Human Resources page: https://www.lvmwd.gov/human-resources-and-risk-management.