Water Distribution Operator - Water Treatment Plant

City of Suffolk; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Suffolk is seeking a Water Quality Inspector to coordinate with the Quality Control Division to flush water mains and ensure water quality across the distribution system.

The role includes inspecting FOG and cross-connection control at facilities, maintaining records, and testing backflow devices. A related degree and licensure are required, with driving as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in environmental science, engineering, or related field.
• 1–2 years of inspections, plumbing, construction, or water treatment experience.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Possession of a Backflow Tester License or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Review construction drawings for FOG and backflow protection requirements.
• Maintain records for FOG and backflow inspections.
• Flush water distribution lines to maintain water quality.
• Conduct FOG and cross-connection inspections on commercial and municipal buildings.
• Prepare and maintain technical reports on testing and inspection results.
• Educate public on cross connections and FOG handling.

Skills

FOG inspections

Backflow testing

Data entry

Recordkeeping

Public education

Education

Associate's Degree in environmental science/engineering or related field

Tools

Backflow Tester License

Job description

Coordinates with the Quality Control Division to flush water mains to maintain water quality throughout the distribution system. Performs routine inspections of food service and commercial/industrial establishments for compliance with the City's FOG (Fats, Oil, Grease) and Cross Connection Control Programs. Performs data entry, maintains records and scheduling of required FOG and cross connection inspection records, and scheduling of required FOG and cross connection inspections. Maintains and tests backflow devices at the G. Robert House, Jr. Water Treatment Facility on a semi-annual basis. Monitors program for backflow devices used on hydrant meters; maintains, tests and repairs backflow devices used on hydrant meters. Reports to the Laboratory Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

• Assists with review of construction drawings with regard to FOG and backflow protection requirements.
• Maintains recordkeeping in response to FOG and backflow inspections.
• Performs flushing of water distribution lines as directed by Department staff to maintain water quality.
• Performs FOG and cross connection control inspections on all commercial and municipal buildings to ensure devices meet local, State and federal cross connection laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Prepares and maintains technical reports and records associated with testing and inspection results as required by federal, State or local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Educates and explains cross connections, backflow prevention devices, and FOG to the general public.
• Assists in review of site plans for required backflow devices and FOG requirements.
• Faxes and mails forms, records, and reports.
• Cleans and maintains assigned vehicle; performs periodic inspections of vehicle and reports defects to supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Completion of an Associate's Degree with major course work in environmental science, engineering, or a related field, and 1 to 2 years of experience in inspections, plumbing, construction, and water treatment; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Possession of a current Backflow Tester's License or the ability to obtain within six (6) months.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the federal, State, and local regulations as they pertain to FOG and cross connection control inspections.
• Knowledge of chemical and toxins affecting drinking water.
• Knowledge of environmental science.
• Knowledge of federal, State, and local regulations and guidelines pertaining to drinking water purification.
• Ability to organize and interpret data and prepare reports.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgement in interpreting and applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, correspondence, instruction manuals, material safety data sheets, etc.; to prepare reports, forms, studies, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including biological and chemical terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment including various telephones, computers, two-way radios, etc. Must also be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 110 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Must be able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, reach and climb. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes accurately in using water treatment equipment and office machinery. Requires the ability to handle, grasp, lift and move a variety of items such as water treatment equipment and office machinery. Must have eye/hand/foot coordination to drive a vehicle. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress. Must be adaptable to work in all kinds of weather conditions. Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via a telephone.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt