Water Plant Operator

City of Sweetwater (TX); Sweetwater (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sweetwater is seeking a Water Treatment Plant Operator to ensure proper operation of plant equipment and process control on a shift. The role involves recording data, collecting samples, and communicating with customers as needed.

Responsibilities include maintaining SCADA operations, performing routine water analyses, and conducting site maintenance. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, a Texas driver license, and strong math and computer skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with ability to obtain Grade C Surface Water certification within two years.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Texas Driver's License.
• Strong math skills, basic computer and lab skills relevant to water treatment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant basins, gauges, chemical feeders, pumps, and related equipment; log data and charts.
• Perform routine water analyses and record results in required forms and Excel reports.
• Complete a minimum of rounds per 8-hour shift, monitor levels, and adjust chemical feed rates.
• Operate and troubleshoot SCADA system; start/stop procedures as required.
• Maintain safety standards and perform routine preventative maintenance on plant equipment.
• Collect samples from distribution system using city vehicle; assist in loading bulk chemicals as needed.
• Respond to customer complaints and dispatch repair crews when necessary.
• Maintain grounds and keep facilities clean; document laboratory results and logs.

Skills

Math skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Lab skills

Water treatment concepts

Strong work ethic

Education

High school diploma or GED

TCEQ Grade C Surface Water Certification

Texas Driver's License

Tools

SCADA system

Excel (data forms)

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Position Summary:

The Water Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for the proper operations of the water treatment plant equipment and process control during an assigned shift. Responsibilities are both technical and non-technical which include record keeping, documenting information in the proper places and required forms to be submitted to the TCEQ. The plant operator also collects and performs analysis on water samples, at the plant location and through out the distribution system. Other responsibilities include maintaining and operating pumps, motors, chemical feeders, and all other equipment associated with plant and facility operations, listening for unusual noises, feeling for unusual vibrations, adjusting chemical feeders for the required dosage rates which require the use of calculators and strong math skills answering customer complaint calls and dispatching system repair crews by telephone.

The plant operator must be able to understand and learn the operations of a "SCADA" system and perform some data entry in the system. Duties also include general maintenance at the plant and grounds, requiring mowing, edging, mopping, sweeping, etc.

Each operator must participate in an on call rotation every three (3) weeks

1. 1. Monitors all basin levels, gauges, charts, chemical feeders, pumps, motors, filters, grounds, and other related facilities. This includes walking through and around the plant to check all water levels, tank levels, and chemical feed levels, reading all gauges, and recording them on the proper forms, changing charts at the required times and logging all the required information in the proper places. Keeps chemical feeders properly loaded on the assigned shift, requiring lifting of 50 to 100 pounds or more.
2. 2. Keeps all records of lab results, lake gauge reports, temperatures, chlorine, flow charts, and any other operational data that my be required or requested. Must be able to perform these tests and understand the results.
3. 3. Complete a minimum of (5) rounds per (8) hour shift which consists of walking through and around the water plant and facilities, checking chemical feeder levels, adding chemicals if necessary (lifting from 50 to 100 pounds or more), checking pumps and motors for unusual noises and vibrations, water levels, etc. and signing required check- list forms.
4. 4. Must be able to calculate dosage rates and make proper adjustments for alum, chlorine, carbon, caustic, and ammonia feed rates to conform with the various flow rates.
5. 5. Perform routine water analysis in lab and understand the results. Document these results on required forms and proper places (Excel report forms, computer).
6. 6. Monitors required TCEQ raw water samples for Oak Creek Lake.
7. 7. Start and stop procedures at these facilities are all performed by the SCADA system, requiring computer knowledge.
8. 8. Keeps chemical feeders properly loaded and pumping at all times which may require repairing pumps, motors feeders, etc.
9. 9. Performs routine preventative maintenance on all associated equipment such as pumps, motors, feeders, valves, basins, etc. May require lifting from 50 to 100 pounds or more.
10. 10. Maintains proper clearwell levels by using proper procedures to lower and raise these levels.
11. 11. Keeps assigned cleaning areas clean and orderly at all times which includes mopping, sweeping, dusting, emptying trash, etc.
12. 12. Reports equipment problems that cannot be repaired by the operator to the supervisor in a timely manner.
13. 13. Receives customer complaints and records all information (name, address, type of problem, call back number) and records this information.
14. 14. Quickly dispatches system repair crews.
15. 15. Maintains assigned ground-keeping responsibilities including mowing, weedeating, edging, picking up trash, etc.
16. 16. Keeps records of lake data and logs this information in proper places. (Excel report forms and computer)
17. 17. Uses City vehicle to collect samples throughout distribution system according to TCEQ sampling methods.
18. 18. Assists in off-loading bulk chemicals during assigned shift or as requested. (required lifting 50 to 100 pounds or more)
19. 19. Must be on time for each assigned shift and if not able, call in a minimum of four (4) hours ahead of time to allow necessary arrangements.
20. 20. Must be able to work independently.
21. 21. Must work in cooperation with others.
22. 22. Must observe all work safely standards, working with hazardous chemicals, mowing, cleaning, while repairing various equipment, etc. (safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, required safety programs)
23. 23. Must be regular in attendance.
24. 24. Must have good communication skills and follow instructions closely. Must be willing to cross-train in all areas of the Water and Wastewater Industries.The successful applicant must possess a high school diploma or GED, possess or able to obtain within two year period a grade C Surface Water certification issued by the TCEQ, have a valid Texas Drivers License, have a home telephone, have strong math skills, computer knowledge, and knowledge of the operations of pumps, motors, chemical feed equipment, lab skills, and water treatment concepts.