Water Plant Operator II (Vacancy)

City of Columbus; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbus is seeking a full-time Operator II for the Dublin Road Water Plant. You will supervise, operate, and staff the facility on an assigned shift, run SCADA, analyze samples, and adjust chemical dosages to meet regulatory and division requirements.

You will respond to emergencies and help maintain OEPA certifications while training staff on procedures. Responsibilities include sampling, recordkeeping, equipment maintenance, and coordinating with other plants.

Qualifications

• Valid EPA Ohio Class II or higher Water Supply Operator certificate for water treatment works.
• Tree of responsibilities includes ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to read and interpret laboratory analyses and water quality data.

Responsibilities

• Operate SCADA to control and monitor water flow and chemical processing.
• Collect and analyze water samples from plant and surroundings to adjust treatment.
• Conduct laboratory analyses and adjust chemical dosages to meet requirements.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, calibrations, and OEPA certification.
• Monitor chemical inventories and ensure proper storage and handling of chemicals.
• Keep accurate shift logs and record readings (meters, gauges, lab results).
• Respond to emergencies such as chemical spills, outages, or weather events.
• Develop and implement standard operating and safety procedures.
• Assist in automating equipment control sequences and PLC programs.
• Coordinate work with other facilities and plant sections.
• Potentially supervise plant staff on shift.

Skills

Laboratory analysis

Safety procedures

Team supervision

Recordkeeping

Education

EPA Class II Water Supply Certificate

EPA Full Laboratory Certificate

Tools

SCADA

PLC

Job description

This full-time position within the Division of Water will supervise, operate and staff the Dublin Road Water Plant processing and pumping facility on an assigned shift. It will conduct and evaluate laboratory analytical results and adjust chemical dosages and processes to meet regulatory and division requirements, operate a computerized SCADA system to control and monitor the flow and chemical processing of water, and respond to emergencies affecting the Plant, such as chemical spills and/or leaks, electrical outages, flooding, and other adverse weather conditions. By collecting and analyzing water samples on and off Plant grounds, Operator II will make observations from various locations throughout the treatment process to determine water treatment process changes. Performs related duties as required.

Training Schedule

Monday - Friday 7:25 am-3:25 pm, off Saturday and Sunday.

Regular Schedule

Tuesday - Saturday 3:25 pm-11:25 pm, off Sunday and Monday.

Responsibilities

• Operates a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) to control and monitor the flow and chemical processing of water; verifies the SCADA system is working correctly and that the data is accurate through testing and inspection rounds of the water treatment plant.


• Collects and analyzes water samples on and off plant grounds and makes observations from various locations throughout the treatment process to determine water treatment process changes.


• Conducts and evaluates laboratory analytical results and adjusts chemical dosages and processes as needed to meet regulatory and division requirements.


• Conducts required laboratory equipment maintenance, periodic laboratory standardizations, and laboratory equipment calibrations to obtain and maintain OEPA full lab certification specific to assigned water treatment facility.


• Monitors and maintains chemical inventories; ensures delivery, unloading, and storage of chemicals follows established protocol.


• Maintains legible, accurate records and logs of shift operations; records meter and gauge readings and data such as chemical levels, flow rates, and laboratory analyses.


• Works around or with hazardous chemicals and responds to emergencies affecting the plant such as chemical spills and/or leaks, electrical outages, flooding and other adverse weather conditions.


• Develops standard operating and safety procedures; provides training to employees on equipment modifications, work procedures, and safety procedures.


• Develops automated and manual equipment operating sequences and failure recovery modes for plant equipment and systems.


• Develops and installs programs for programmable logic controllers and remote terminal units to operate plant equipment, systems, and processes; develops and maintains database elements required to control equipment, systems, and processes via SCADA systems.


• Maintains an intimate working knowledge of plant equipment, system, process, and SCADA failure modes to ensure proper plant operation when abnormal situations occur.


• Prepares maintenance repair requests; performs minor equipment maintenance including lubrication and minor adjustments.


• Coordinates work activities with other facilities, plants, and plant sections.


• May supervise plant employees on an assigned shift.

Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State of Ohio Class II or higher Water Supply Operator certificate for water treatment works.


• Possession of a valid driver's license.


• Possession of a valid Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State of Ohio Full Laboratory Certificate with full laboratory approval specifically for the assigned water treatment facility by the completion of the probationary period.

Employment Type: Full-Time (Regular)

Recruitment #: 26-3882-V4

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer