Utility Process Control Specialist (Water Plant Operator)

Lakeview Veterinary Hospital, LLC; Kansas; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading municipal utility is seeking a Kansas Class IV Water Supply System Operator. This role focuses on managing water treatment systems, ensuring quality standards are met while supervising operations. The position includes tiered relocation reimbursement and signing bonuses based on experience, offering a unique opportunity for career advancement in a critical public service role.

Benefits

Tiered Relocation Reimbursement

Signing Bonus based on Experience

Additional Vacation Accrual

Qualifications

• Ability to handle complex water treatment operations and systems.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding water quality.
• Experience in operating SCADA and GIS for water management.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control production, pumping, and distribution systems.
• Ensure compliance with water quality standards and permit requirements.
• Supervise staff in the absence of the Shift Supervisor.

Skills

Decision-Making

Technical Knowledge of Water Treatment

Data Analysis

Education

High School Diploma

Kansas Class IV Water Supply System Operator Certification

Job description

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

This position requires a Kansas Class IV Water Supply System certification:The salary range for this position with a Kansas Class IV water Supply System Operators certificate is $34.53 - $41.93 hourly.

This is highly skilled, technical work to monitor and control production, pumping, and distribution systems to meet water drinking water system demands and water quality permit requirements for a plant that is being constructed at 2120 N. Hoover in Wichita. This position exercises a high degree of decision-making regarding water treatment, flows, and pressures, based on independent judgement on how to maintain multiple water quality parameters within regulatory limits. Work includes supervising other staff when the Shift Supervisor is not present.

This position is eligible for progression through eight competency levels with increasing levels of responsibility and corresponding pay ranges. Progression requires a combination of plant experience and specialized training.

Experience in the water treatment industry is a valued asset. Compensation will be based on individual experience and determined at hire based on skills and competencies. The role provides additional opportunities for swift pay progression linked to the development of skills and competencies.

HIRING INCENTIVES
Tiered Relocation Reimbursement: (Outside of Residency Ordinance Boundary)
Tier 1: Up to 100 Miles Reimbursement: $2,000
Tier 2: 101 to 500 Miles: up to $5,000
Tier 3: 501 to 1,000 Miles: up to $8,000
Tier 4: Over 1,000 Miles: up to $10,000 maximum

Signing Bonus (Water Plant Experience)
Entry-Level Operators: $5,000 (for candidates with less than 2 years of experience) Mid-Level Operators: $7,500 (for candidates with 2-5 years of experience) Senior Operators: $10,000 (for candidates with over 5 years of experience)Signing Bonus payments of 50% at employment and 50% on the anniversary date ending year two of successful employment.

Additional Vacation Accrual
New Hires Externally Hired will receive an extra five (5) days up front at hire. This is in addition to the standard vacation accrual.

Employees currently in the Utility Process Control Specialist - Plant Operator positionare noteligible for the hiring incentives.

This position requires a Kansas Class IV Water Supply System certification:The salary range for this position with a Kansas Class IV water Supply System Operators certificate is $34.53 - $41.93 hourly.

The days and hours for this position:Second and Third Shifts Available:3pm – 11:30pm Tuesday-Sunday OR 11pm Saturday to 7:30am Thursday OR 11pm Monday to 7:30am Saturday

Bargaining Unit: Service Employee's International (SEIU)

**Employees within the department or division shall be given first consideration**

Examples of Work Performed

• Operates and monitors production, pumping, and distribution systems from a control center utilizing data from the Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and the Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Monitors and maintains flows and pressures within all systems, including making independent decisions regarding how to balance flows to basins and reservoirs to maintain water storage requirements.
• Monitors water levels in reservoirs and towers and makes appropriate pump changes.
• Collects water samples and performs basic chemical tests. Utilizes results to make process change decisions.
• Operates chemical feed equipment and controls feed rates, determines chemical dosage needs for varying conditions, and makes appropriate changes in chemical feed rates as required to maintain water quality.
• Troubleshoots treatment problems associated with pH, solids level, mixing intensity, chemical dosage, and biological processes.
• Monitors weather and forecasts daily water consumption and production requirements.
• Operates and maintains a water treatment plant, including maintenance of equipment.
• Records information about plant performance on log sheets or computer databases.
• In charge of plant and staff when Shift Supervisor is not working.
• The examples of work performed are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• The City of Wichita reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities as needed, including but not limited to tasks performed by IEC Specialists, Water Quality Specialists, and O&M Specialists.

Requirements of Work

• Must have achieved Level 5 on the City of Wichita Water Utility Competency Scale, or must be capable of achieving this within three years of hire, including:
  • Knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to producing and distributing safe drinking water
  • Thorough knowledge of the principles of specialized water treatment operations
  • Knowledge of the functions and mechanics of pumps, chemical analyzers, and other equipment used in a water treatment plant, and ability to perform basic preventive maintenance on equipment.
  • Ability to calculate flows and solution strengths.
  • Ability to collect data and make decisions based on data from on-line analyzers.
  • Ability to monitor, evaluate, and make decisions about SCADA information.
  • Ability to utilize GIS data for decision making.
  • Ability to interpret, validate, and analyze complex data.
  • Basic understanding of the principals of biology and chemistry as they relate to water treatment.
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information
• Ability to tolerate exposure to airborne environmental nuisances associated with open grounds, exposure to chemicals used in water treatment, and equipment and machinery noise (with the use of earplugs).
• Ability to walk variable distances multiple times per shift and climb stairs and ladders and to bend, twist, push, pull and reach as necessary to evaluate equipment/instrumentation function
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to exert up to 40 pounds of pressure to operate valves and fire hydrants.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments and representatives of outside agencies
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license
• Ability to drive at night.
• Ability to be available for after-hour emergencies including on-call duties.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Required Experience and Training

• High school diploma.

• Kansas Class IV Water Supply System Operator certification or equivalent certification from another state (large water utility / surface water treatment). The applicant must complete the reciprocal process within the first six (6) months of hire.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.

Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf(Download PDF reader)
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf(Download PDF reader)
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf(Download PDF reader)

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf(Download PDF reader)
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf(Download PDF reader)
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf(Download PDF reader)

Employer

City of Wichita

Address

455 N. Main

Wichita, Kansas, 67202

Phone

316-268-4531

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wichita