Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Kids for the Future; South Haven (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of South Haven is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator to perform skilled operations, laboratory work, and regulatory compliance for the WWTP and related wastewater system in South Haven, Michigan.

Position includes varied certification levels, on-call duties, and weekend/holiday work as required. Must obtain EGLE Class D certification within 18 months and maintain a valid Michigan driver's license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Prior wastewater experience preferred but not required for entry-level employees who show aptitude to learn and obtain certification.
• Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license and obtain EGLE Class D wastewater operator certification within 18 months.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes and equipment in compliance with permits and procedures.
• Collect samples and perform routine laboratory analyses.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, regulatory records, and reports.
• Assist with regulatory reporting, inspections, and permit compliance.
• Participate in on-call rotations and after-hours emergency responses.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Data entry

Teamwork

Communication

Independent work

Education

High school diploma

Tools

SCADA systems

Laboratory equipment

Process-control systems

Job description

Contact information

• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

• Base Pay $28.95 - $32.00 / Hour
• Job Category Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
• Employee Type Full-Time
• Required Degree High school

General Purpose

To perform skilled wastewater treatment plant operational, laboratory, monitoring, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and related activities necessary for the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and associated wastewater system.

The WWTP Operator classification includes employees at varying levels of wastewater operator certification and experience. Employees are expected to assume progressively greater responsibility for treatment-process evaluation, regulatory compliance, operational decision-making, reporting, and training as they obtain advanced certifications and demonstrate increased knowledge and experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes and equipment in accordance with applicable permits, regulatory requirements, established operating procedures, and direction from the WWTP Superintendent or Lead WWTP Operator.
• Monitor plant processes, equipment, instrumentation, alarms, SCADA and other control systems; record operating conditions and identify abnormal or changing conditions requiring attention.
• Obtain wastewater, sludge, and other samples from the treatment plant and sanitary sewer collection system as required.
• Perform routine and required laboratory analyses using established procedures and accurately calculate, document, enter, and maintain laboratory and operating results.
• Prepare laboratory solutions, maintain laboratory equipment and supplies, and clean and sterilize laboratory glassware and equipment as required.
• Read, record, organize, and maintain plant monitoring, laboratory, process-control, flow, equipment, and other operational data.
• Complete and maintain accurate operating logs, laboratory records, inspection records, work orders, regulatory records, reports, and other required documentation using City-approved electronic and paper systems.
• Assist in preparing data and documentation necessary for regulatory reports, permit compliance, inspections, operational reviews, and other wastewater reporting requirements.
• Monitor treatment performance and perform authorized routine adjustments to wastewater treatment processes based upon operating conditions, laboratory results, established procedures, level of certification, training, and direction.
• Participate in routine inspection and operation of treatment equipment, pumps, chemical-feed systems, solids-handling processes, and other wastewater treatment systems.
• Assist with plant and collection-system equipment maintenance and coordinate with Senior WWTP Maintenance Workers when maintenance, troubleshooting, or repairs are required.
• Assist with sanitary sewer lift-station, force-main, emergency-generator, and collection-system operations and emergency response as trained and assigned.
• Participate in the WWTP division on-call rotation and respond to after-hours plant, collection-system, alarm, equipment, and other wastewater emergencies and operational needs.
• Perform assigned weekend and holiday plant operations, laboratory testing, sampling, monitoring, and related duties as required.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local wastewater requirements, discharge permit requirements, City policies and procedures, safety standards, and established operating practices.
• Maintain knowledge of plant processes, equipment, regulatory requirements, laboratory procedures, and wastewater treatment practices appropriate to the employee's level of certification and responsibility

Progressive Operational Responsibilities

• Review and interpret laboratory results, operating data, process trends, equipment performance, and other information affecting treatment performance and permit compliance.
• Identify potential operational, treatment-process, or compliance concerns and communicate findings to the Lead WWTP Operator and WWTP Superintendent.
• Recommend treatment-process adjustments based upon laboratory results, operating data, process conditions, and established wastewater treatment practices.
• Make authorized treatment-process adjustments consistent with the employee's certification, training, assigned authority, and established operating procedures.
• Review operating records, laboratory results, calculations, reports, and other documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with preparation and review of regulatory reports, operating reports, process evaluations, and other required documentation.
• Assist the Lead WWTP Operator and WWTP Superintendent with troubleshooting treatment-process issues and evaluating plant performance.
• Provide training, guidance, and mentoring to less-experienced WWTP Operators, Senior WWTP Maintenance Workers, and other assigned employees in laboratory procedures, sampling, plant operations, recordkeeping, and other areas for which the employee is qualified.
• Provide technical observations and recommendations to the Lead WWTP Operator and WWTP Superintendent regarding plant operations and treatment processes.
• Perform work normally assigned to lower-rated classifications when required.
• Assist other Public Works divisions during emergencies, special projects, and periods of operational need.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are reasonably related to the employee's training, qualifications, certification, classification, and operational needs of the City.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Education or experience in wastewater treatment, environmental science, chemistry, biology, mathematics, laboratory analysis, industrial processes, or a related field is preferred.

Prior wastewater treatment experience and D license is preferred but is not required for an entry-level employee who demonstrates the aptitude and ability to successfully learn wastewater treatment operations and obtain the required certification.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the knowledge and ability necessary to perform the work may be considered.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to learn and understand wastewater treatment processes, plant equipment, laboratory procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of mathematics and ability to perform calculations associated with wastewater treatment, laboratory analysis, flows, chemical usage, and process control.
• Ability to accurately perform laboratory tests, sampling, calculations, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to understand and interpret operating data, instrumentation, alarms, laboratory results, written procedures, technical information, and regulatory requirements appropriate to the employee's training and certification.
• Ability to recognize abnormal operating conditions and appropriately communicate or respond to those conditions.
• Ability to use computers, SCADA systems, laboratory equipment, monitoring equipment, electronic records systems, spreadsheets, and other software and technology used in wastewater operations.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to understand the operation of pumps, motors, valves, chemical-feed equipment, and other wastewater treatment equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions, operating procedures, safety requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and timely operational and regulatory records.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, contractors, regulators, and the public.
• Ability and willingness to progressively develop wastewater treatment knowledge and assume additional responsibilities as certification and experience increase.

Licensing and Certification

Must possess a valid State of Michigan driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Must obtain an EGLE Class D Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification within eighteen (18) months of hire or assignment to the WWTP Operator classification.

If the employee is unable to obtain the certification within eighteen (18) months due to EGLE eligibility requirements or examination scheduling, the certification must be obtained at the first reasonable opportunity following eligibility, but no later than the second available examination cycle after meeting EGLE eligibility requirements, as determined by the City.

Employees are encouraged to obtain advanced wastewater treatment plant operator certifications. Pay rates and additional compensation associated with Class D, Class C, and Class B certifications are established by the most current applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Employees must obtain and maintain any additional licenses, certificates, or training required by the City for assigned duties.

Tools and Equipment Used

Tools and equipment may include, but is not limited to, computers, SCADA and process-control systems, laboratory equipment, chemical analyzers, monitoring and sampling equipment, calculators, mobile devices, radios, motor vehicles, hand tools, multimeters, pumps, generators, chemical-feed equipment, personal protective equipment, and other equipment used in wastewater treatment and laboratory operations.

Physical Demands

The employee must be capable of performing the physical activities necessary for wastewater plant operations, laboratory work, inspections, sampling, equipment operation, and emergency response. The employee must be able to lift and move equipment and materials weighing up to approximately 50 pounds. Heavier items may be lifted or moved with assistance from coworkers or available mechanical equipment. The position requires periods of sitting and computer work as well as standing, walking, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, reaching, obtaining samples, and accessing treatment-process and equipment areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

Work Environment

The City of South Haven is a drug-free workplace. Work is performed in office, laboratory, treatment plant, collection-system, and outdoor environments. Employees may be exposed to raw wastewater or sewage, treatment chemicals, biological hazards, moving machinery, noise, fumes, wet conditions, confined spaces, and other hazards associated with wastewater treatment operations. The position includes after-hours, on-call, emergency, weekend, and holiday work as required. The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a reasonable assignment based upon the employee's classification, certification, training, qualifications, and operational needs of the City. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change by the City as organizational needs, operational requirements, and the duties of the position change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of South Haven is an Equal Opportunity Employer who places a high value on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of South Haven comprises a diversity of individuals from varying gender identities, racial/ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and more. The diversity of our community is one of our key strengths, and the City is committed to continuing to grow our commitment to DEI. Employees are expected to interact with one another and with citizens in a manner that demonstrates respect and appreciation for each person and the diverse groups they identify with.