WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

Onondaga County Health Department; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal health department in New York seeks a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator to assist in plant operations. Responsibilities include operating machinery, monitoring alarms, and maintaining records. A strong understanding of wastewater practices and ability to work in a team are essential. Candidates should have a high school diploma with relevant coursework or an associate's degree in a related field. The role may require participation in an on-call schedule including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of practices and equipment in wastewater treatment.
• Ability to participate in on-call program including nights and weekends.
• Physical condition commensurate with job demands.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the operation of wastewater treatment plant.
• Start, stop, and adjust machinery as required.
• Record plant operations and meter readings.
• Test wastewater samples and maintain logs.

Skills

Operating pumps and mechanical equipment

Reading and recording data from gauges

Teamwork

Understanding chemical principles

Ability to follow instructions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

30 credit hours in science/math

Associate’s Degree in relevant field

Job description

The work involves assisting in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant during an assigned shift. Under immediate supervision of a higher level Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, the employee assists in the safe and efficient operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Employees have full responsibility of master controls when supervisor is on rounds of plant. Supervision may be exercised over the work of subordinate employees. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Starts, stops, and adjusts pumps, motors, air compressors, operates valves and related machinery and equipment.

Records readings from meters and gauges.

Takes samples of wastewater for testing.

Completes necessary tests for control of plant operation.

Keeps a log of plant operations and related records.

Alternates with the higher level Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in making tours of inspection.

Monitors alarm system from remote plants and pumping stations, dispatches on-call personnel as required, maintaining radio contact with dispatched personnel.

Performs related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of the practices used and the equipment required in the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

Working knowledge of elementary principles of chemistry and general sciences as applied to wastewater treatment and disposal.

Ability to operate pumps, valves, and mechanical equipment.

Ability to read, understand and record data from gauges, scales and meters.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Ability to work well as a team member.

Ability to participate in rotational on-call program to include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Ability to operate plant digital system, start and stop sequences, generate reports, perform plant restarts, store and retrieve information from memory.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A) Graduation from a high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and one (1) year of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in the actual operation of a wastewater treatment plant, which will include, but are not limited to: takes samples of wastewater and laboratory testing on these samples; keep a log of plant operations and related records; start, stop and adjust pumps, motors, air compressors and related machinery and equipment; record readings from meters and gauges; or,
2. B) Graduation from a high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and successful completion of thirty (30) credit hours of math and/or science (chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, or environmental studies) from a regionally accredited college or university; or,
3. C) Graduation from a regionally accredited college to grant degrees with an Associate’s Degree in Water/Wastewater Technology, Environmental Science, Engineering Technology, physical sciences, chemistry, biological sciences, life sciences or a closely related field with similar course curriculum; or,
4. D) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) and (C) above.

NOTE

Satisfactory completion of the New York State Operator's Course for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, and New York State Laboratory Course for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, and New York State Activated Sludge Course for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators may be substituted for the above minimum qualifications.

**Experience in Wastewater Treatment Plant maintenance alone, either mechanical or electrical, is not qualifying.

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT

When required to operate motor vehicles, employees must possess a valid non-CDL or CDL with appropriate endorsements as required by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for the class of vehicle(s) being operated.