Water Production Operator II/III

Fort Bend County Water Control & Improvement District No 2; Stafford (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Bend County Water Control & Improvement District No 2 is seeking an Operator II/III to support the operation, maintenance, and quality control of our groundwater and surface water treatment facility in Texas. You will monitor pumps, valves, chemical dosing, and data records to ensure compliant daily water production under TCEQ rules.

Responsibilities include routine plant inspections, preventive maintenance, and training junior staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• College coursework in water production preferred.
• Must possess one of the following licenses or obtain within 12 months: TCEQ Class C Surface Water or Groundwater Operator License.

Responsibilities

• Operate and control pumps, valves, and chemical dosing systems.
• Monitor water quality, turbidity, and chlorine residuals.
• Record data and daily production metrics.
• Perform preventive maintenance and safety procedures.
• Assist in regulatory reporting and training of junior staff.

Skills

Water treatment knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Data recording & analysis

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

College coursework in water production

Tools

Inventory software

Manufacturing software

Spreadsheets

Job description

Under general supervision, performs a variety of tasks in the operation, maintenance, and quality control of the District’s public water system utilizing groundwater under the influence of surface water (GUI) and associated groundwater production facilities.

Ensures treatment processes meet the TCEQ Surface Water and Ground Water Treatment Rules while maintaining reliable daily water production. Diagnosis, troubleshooting, and corrective action are essential functions.

The responsibilities outlined below serve as examples of the diverse tasks that may be undertaken in this position. Additional duties may be assigned if they align with the role and are similar or related in nature:

• Operates and controls electric motors, pumps, and valves to regulate flow of raw water into facility.
• Oversees and monitors specified amounts of chemicals such as bleach, chlorine, ammonia; automatic devices that admit specified amounts of chemicals into tanks to disinfect, and clarify water
• Monitors mixing of chemicals for treatment, backwash membranes as required
• Oversees agitators to mix chemicals
• Oversees water treatment process and introduction in to the water production system.
• Monitor and adjust chemical dosing systems to disinfect and clarify water.
• Monitor and record meter and gauge readings, tank levels, and chlorine samples.
• Monitors panel board and adjusts controls to regulate flow rates, and water into the distribution system
• Conduct preventative maintenance of equipment in accordance with O&M manuals.
• Accurately record operational data including daily flows, turbidity, pressure, production, chemical weights, and feed rates.
• Perform routine maintenance functions.
• Follow oral and written instructions effectively.
• Classified as an essential employee before, during, and after emergencies or disasters.
• Ensure system process control in compliance with regulatory agency guidelines.
• Oversees cleaning tanks, such as GSTs, ESTs, and SWTP basins, as needed
• Performs required maintenance on equipment
• Tests water samples to determine TCEQ requirements are met
• Records data such as: Residual content of chemicals and amount used, Water pressure, Run time hours of equipment, CL2 weight/usage, LAS gallons used, Plant flows logged in daily, Monthly calibration of lab equipment
• Monitors Hydro tank levels, Daily distribution CL2 samples, GST and EST levels, and Security at plants

OPERATOR II EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

• Conduct daily security checks at the plant.
• Observe variations in operating conditions and interpret meter/gauge readings and test results to determine process adjustments.

OPERATOR III EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

• Assist in training or mentoring lower-level operators.
• Perform more advanced data interpretation and process control adjustments.
• May begin contributing to regulatory reporting or compliance documentation.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to operate motors, pumps, valves, and chemical dosing systems.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes including membrane filtration and chemical mixing.
• Ability to monitor and record operational data (flows, turbidity, pressure, chemical weights).
• Familiarity with safety procedures and local, state and federal regulatory compliance
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Classified as essential personnel during emergencies.
• Ability to maintain license and certifications.

• Ability to read and comprehend simple and sometimes complex instructions, O&M manuals, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to effectively communicate to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Apply common sense logic and understanding when given written or oral instructions.
• Effectively deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.

OPERATOR II – DISTINCT QUALIFICATIONS

• Focuses on routine operations and preventative maintenance.
• Performs custodial duties and daily security checks.
• Observes and interprets meter/gauge readings to determine basic process adjustments.
• Emphasis on executing instructions accurately rather than leading or troubleshooting.
• Entry-level understanding of system process control.

OPERATOR III – DISTINCT QUALIFICATIONS

• Performs advanced operational control, including adjusting flow rates and pressure.
• Oversees chemical additions and agitator operations.
• Conducts monthly sampling and reporting for regulatory agencies (e.g., TCEQ, U.L. labs).
• Communicates with vendors and administration for repairs and supplies.
• Prepares Surface Water Monthly Operating Reports.
• Demonstrates higher-level math and data interpretation skills.
• Proficient in various software systems (inventory, manufacturing, spreadsheets).
• Expected to lead tasks, troubleshoot, and possibly mentor others.

The physical demands and environmental conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, bend and twist.
• Reach with hands and arms and use fingers, hands, or limbs with speed and accuracy.
• Lift, move, and/or exert force up to approximately 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis.

The work environment includes both indoor and outdoor conditions and may involve:

• Exposure to loud noises from plant machinery and equipment.
• Peculiar odors and all types of weather and temperature conditions.
• Walking for extended periods on various surfaces, including slippery, uneven, or rough terrain.
• Proximity to video displays and moderate noise levels.

Employees may be exposed to:

• Mechanical and electrical hazards associated with operating equipment.
• Toxic substances such as aluminum sulfate, chlorine gas, chlorine dioxide, laboratory reagents, cleaners, solvents, and gases.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position. In the event of an emergency, employees may be required to work to sustain operations. The role is subject to 24-hour emergency callbacks and may require working varying hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays.

Safety Requirements:

• Operators are prohibited from wearing contact lenses when working with certain chemicals.
• Facial hair that interferes with a proper respirator fit is not permitted.

Selection Guidelines:

The appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities can be achieved through a variety of combinations of experience and training. A typical example is:

EXPERIENCE

Operator II

• Two (2) years related experience and/or training in operating a surface water treatment or ground water plant; or equivalent combination of water related education and experience preferred.

Operator III

• Four (4) years related experience and/or training in operating a surface water treatment plant or ground water plant; or equivalent combination of water related education and experience.

Training/Education:

• High school graduate or GED required. College level coursework in water productionpreferred.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS

Must possess one of the following (or ability to obtain within 12 months of :

• Valid TCEQ Class C (or higher) Surface Water Operator License OR
• Valid TCEQ Class C (or higher) Groundwater Operator License

Operators holding a Groundwater license must take appropriate Surface Water course(s) to operate the District’s Groundwater Under the Influence (GUI) treatment facilities as approved by the TCEQ to support cross-certification.

Operators holding a Surface Water license must take appropriate Groundwater course(s) to operate the District’s Groundwater Under the Influence (GUI) treatment facilities as approved by the TCEQ to support cross-certification.