Treatment Plant Operator Probationary

East Chicago; East Chicago, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of East Chicago is seeking a Water Treatment Plant Operator to control and monitor plant processes for safe drinking water. You will operate pumps, engines, generators, and valves, and use plant process control software to ensure proper treatment and distribution.

Responsibilities include record-keeping, preventive maintenance, safety compliance, and direct interaction with the public as needed. A valid WT5 license and the ability to obtain WT6 are required, along with a driver’s

Qualifications

• Must have WT5 drinking water operator license.
• Must be able to obtain WT6 license within required period.
• Must maintain drinking water certifications as a condition of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Operates water treatment plant equipment to control water flow and processing.
• Monitors gauges, meters, and control panels for proper operation.
• Performs preventive maintenance and repairs as needed.
• Keeps records of quality control tests and shift logs.
• Responds to emergency calls and communicates with the public.
• Maintains inventory and housekeeping within the plant.

Skills

Pumps operation

Engines operation

Generators operation

Valves operation

PC operation

Process control software

Calibration of plant instruments

Public/Customer relations

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Opportunities

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Pay Range: In accordance with the City of East Chicago’s Collective Bargaining Agreement

POSITION SUMMARY Under the direct supervision of the Water Treatment Plant Manager and Chief Operator, the Water Treatment Plant Operator controls treatment plant machines and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use by performing the following duties. The Water Treatment Plant is a 24 (twenty-four) hour, 7 (seven) day per week operation facility and requires the following chosen duties.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Protects the public health

Runs process control on incoming raw water

Sets dosages on chemicals and disinfectants using chemical feed pumps and chlorinators

Adjust the incoming raw water flow according to the demand of the system

Record untreated water use in production and do basic water lab analysis, such as turbidity, pH, hardness, chlorides, alkalinity, total organic compounds, total dissolved solids, and chlorine residuals.

Store clean treated water in in-ground storage tanks ready for distribution.

Work with toxic chemicals used in the treatment process

Backwash filters to remove settled solids accumulated on the filter bed

Remove sludge from treatment units and dispose of it

Maintain system pressure and monitor elevated water storage tanks

Does mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation on treatment units ? , collects water distribution samples, and submits them to the state lab

Keeps chemical inventory and orders when needed

Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual record keeping

Other duties as assigned

May provide direction and guidance to water utilities field staff. Ensures treated water meets the water district, county, and state water quality standards. Personnel in this role will manage and operate or control an entire process or system of machines and programs, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water.

1. Process Operation, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Operates water treatment plant equipment (pumps, engines, generators, and valves) to control flow and process water,

(2) Monitors plant gauges, meters, and control panels to ensure proper processing of water,

(3) Observes and interprets operational variations/problems and makes appropriate corrective adjustments as needed,

(4) Reports significant problems requiring additional assistance to the Supervisor and calls out appropriate maintenance personnel,

(5) Monitors process sampling conducted by the Sub-Operator.

2. Preventive Maintenance This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Conducts visual inspections of all plant equipment every 2 hours,

(2) Initiates preventive maintenance as needed or completes repair orders for additional assistance,

(3) Monitors the operation of plant filters,

(4) Drains, cleans, and refills filters on a weekly basis.

3. Record Keeping This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Records results of quality control tests,

(2) Maintains shift log,

(3) Records meter and gauge readings,

(4) Provide copies of all records to the Supervisor.

4. Public Service This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Receives and responds to emergency calls from city residents,

(2) Interacts with members of the public in a polite, courteous, considerate, and helpful manner,

(3) Provides answers to questions from members of the public or directs them to someone who can respond,

5. Supplies Inventory. This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Monitors inventory levels of supplies used in plant operations,

(2) Reports inventory needs to be Supervisor.

6. Housekeeping. This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Maintains clean, well-organized conditions throughout the plant,

(2) Requests and coordinates assistance for large-scale cleaning tasks

7. Teamwork This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Works effectively with other members of the plant operations team,

(2) Works effectively with personnel from other departments/divisions within the city government

8. Safety This dimension includes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(1) Performs all job tasks in a safe manner,

(2) Complies with all department and division safety policies, rules, and regulations,

(3) Identifies and corrects/reports safety hazards when they occur.

9. Other duties as assigned.

*If “other duties as assigned” are regularly performed or require a significant amount of time, they should be formally identified, defined, and included in the job description.

Successful job performance in the above position requires the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics (KSAPCs):

Required Knowledge (familiarity with a body of information)

1. Basic Chemistry (chemical symbols, analytical techniques, solution preparation, and calibration techniques).

2. Basic Physics (flow, gravity, hydraulics, liquids, and solids).

3. Basic Math (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing).

4. Quality Assurance Fundamentals.

5. Chemical Properties of Water.

6. Standard Operating Procedures in Water Treatment Plant.

7. Safety Hazards Involved in Plant Operations.

8. Applicable OSHA, EPA, State, City, and Water Department Safety Policies, Rules, and Regulations.

9. Water Department Operations and Processes.

Required Skills (proficiency in performing specific tasks)

1. Operation of Plant Pumps.

2. Operation of Plant Engines.

3. Operation of Plant Generators.

4. Operation of Plant Valves.

5. Basic Operation of a PC.

6. Use of Computerized Plant Process Control Software.

7. Calibration of Plant Instruments.

8. Public/Customer Relations.

Required Abilities (general mental or physical capabilities)

1. Ability to Read and Interpret Information and Prepare Reports

2. Verbal Communication to be Understood by Others.

3. Written Communication to be Understood by Others.

4. Understand and Follow Verbal Instructions from the Supervisor.

5. Understand and Follow Written Instructions from the Supervisor.

6. Problem Solving.

7. Mechanical Aptitude.

8. Work Effectively in a Team Setting.

9. Manual Dexterity to Use Plant Equipment.

10. Eye-Hand Coordination to Use Plant Equipment.

11. Lift and Carry up to 50 Pounds Frequently.

12. Climb Stairs Frequently.

13. Climb Ladders Frequently.

14. Bend Occasionally.

15. Kneel Occasionally.

16. Stand Frequently.

17. Sit Frequently.

18. Walk Frequently.

19. Crawl Occasionally.

Required Personal Characteristics (specific physical or physiological attributes)

2. Normal-Range Depth Perception.

4. Tolerates Work in Confined Spaces.

7. Tolerates Working in Harsh Weather.

8. Tolerates Wearing Required Safety Equipment While Working.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS

1. Must have a WT5 drinking water operator license.

2. Ability to obtain an Indiana Class WT6 drinking water operator license within the required period of time from the hire date.

3. Must maintain appropriate Water Treatment certifications as a condition of employment.

4. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. 5. Ability to work flexible hours, including various work shifts, to meet the demands of the operations of the Water Plant.

Must meet all the following:

1. Education: high school diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent; preferably college

2. Experience: Hands‑on operation in the class system applied for, as follows: WT6 or equivalent

**2 years of experience may be substituted by education at the college level in an area related to drinking water.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.

Environment - Work is performed outdoors and indoors. Regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; shift work and overtime outside regular work hours may be required.

Physical – Primary functions require sufficient ability and mobility to work in a water treatment plant; to stand or sit for prolonged periods; to occasionally stoop, crawl, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, turn, and twist; to lift carry, push, and/or, pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate with others to exchange information. Occasionally push/pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds; occasionally required to lift/carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Vocal – Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas using spoken words and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Vision – See in normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in normal audio range with or without correction.

The candidate must pass an interview, background check, and drug test.

There is currently one (1) opening.

The City of East Chicago does not discriminate in its employment decisions based on race, color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, disability, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.