Treatment Plant Operator

City of Washington; Washington (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Washington is seeking a Water Plant Operator I to operate and maintain a wastewater treatment plant and a separate well water plant in North Carolina. You will perform routine tests, adjust processes, record results, and assist with maintenance. Valid NC driver's license and state certifications required; high school diploma or GED allowed.

Heavy work with pumps, tanks, and chemical feeds, you will log data daily and support safety protocols in varying weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required for all levels.
• Must obtain Grade 1 Biological Water Pollution and C-Well within 18 months.
• Valid NC driver's license with clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Operates wastewater and well water treatment plants and inspects equipment.
• Monitors meters, records data, and adjusts processes as needed.
• Performs standard laboratory tests and assists with maintenance.
• Keeps daily, weekly, and monthly activity logs.

Skills

Water treatment knowledge

Recordkeeping

Equipment monitoring

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Certifications: Grade 1 Biological Water Pollution & C-Well

Job description

Summary

Responsible for a variety of operational, laboratory, and maintenance duties designed to produce a safe treatment of potable water, and disposal of domestic and commercial waste materials. Monitor plant operations through observation, mechanical readings and the results of standard chemical and biological tests and making necessary adjustments in the process as conditions or test results dictate. Perform standard laboratory duties and tests and assisting with plant and facilities maintenance. Work also includes substantial record keeping of work activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates a wastewater treatment plant and a separate well water treatment plant; makes regular tours of plants to inspect operations; drives back and forth between plants when necessary to complete work assignments.
• Makes regular tours of plants and checks engines, generators, pumps, settling tanks, filters, clarifiers, chlorinators, and other equipment for proper functioning; checks influent and effluent points for visual detection of any irregularities as well as proper functioning; starts and stops pumps and motors and adjusts chemical feed and other processes to control treatment process.
• Monitors levels in water storage tanks and telemetry and other indicators for wells.
• Cleans splitter boxes, clarifiers, shovels iron sludge; operates loader to take sludge to landfill; repairs and replaces pumps, motors, water lines, analyzers, chlorinators, belts, and other parts; troubleshoots equipment and minor electrical problems.
• Takes and records data from various meters, gauges, and dials; logs daily, weekly, and monthly activities; may enter various data into the computer; reviews information for trends and problems or anomalies.
• Performs standard laboratory chemical and biological tests.
• Performs general preventive and scheduled maintenance; assists maintenance staff on major maintenance and repairs.
• Regulates and adjusts motors, pumps, blowers, valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
• Performs routine building and equipment maintenance including cleaning and painting; performs grounds maintenance activities such as mowing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) for all levels.

Water Plant Operator I – Must have the following certifications;

Grade 1 Biological Water Pollution and C-Well or the ability to obtain within (18) eighteen months of employment.

Special Requirement

Valid N.C. driver's license and acceptable driving record

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a water treatment plant.
• Knowledge of state and federal water treatment and water quality regulations.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and necessary safety precautions.
• Ability to make decisions about water quality and water supply in the absence of a supervisor.
• Ability to detect problems in the operation of mechanical equipment and report those problems to a supervisor or the appropriate employee.
• Ability to conduct routine water quality tests and read meters and charts accurately, and record results.
• Ability to perform environmental science calculations and to keep detailed records.
• Ability to receive and carry out instructions provided by a supervisor.

Physical Requirements

This is heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions. Verbal communication is required to express or exchange ideas. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring or testing devices, assembly of equipment, operating plant equipment including motor vehicles, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work performed, and observing general surroundings and activities

Working Conditions

Employees are subject to hazards associated with wastewater and plant operations including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as loud noises, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, working in small spaces such as sewer pipes, and oils. Workers may be required to wear respirators when working around chlorine tanks. Employee may also work in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, small enclosed rooms and other areas which could cause claustrophobia.