Water Reclamation Operator

City of Toledo; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Toledo is seeking a Water Reclamation Operator to monitor and control equipment at the Water Reclamation Plant on an assigned shift. The role involves operating pumps, valves, engines, and process control equipment, taking samples, recording data, and performing routine preventive maintenance.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, Ohio Class I Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator Certification, and progress toward OIT; one year of plant operation experience

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Ohio Class I Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator Certification.
• Designation as an operator in training (OIT) by the State of Ohio after passing the Class I exam.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and adjust instrumentation for activated sludge treatment and related processes.
• Operate pumps, valves, motors, samplers and standby equipment.
• Regulate chemical feed and ensure proper dosing and flow.
• Read meters and charts; track pressures, temperatures and river/weather conditions.
• Collect samples and perform analyses; complete chain-of-custody sheets.
• Maintain logs and perform routine plant maintenance; respond to alarms.

Skills

Wastewater ops

Equipment maintenance

Process control

Safety awareness

Communication skills

Basic math

Computer operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Ohio Class I Wastewater Certification

Operator in training (OIT) designation

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision the Water Reclamation Operator will perform work of moderate difficulty on an assigned shift in the operation of pumps, valves, engines, treatment processes and other equipment in the Water Reclamation Plant; performs related duties as required.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible on an assigned shift for monitoring and adjusting instrumentation systems associated with an activated sludge treatment process, lift stations and related functions located outside of the Water Reclamation Plant.
• Starts and regulates, both manually and using computer equipment, the operation of electric motors, pumps, valves, engines, samplers, bar screens and emergency stand‑by equipment which control the flow of municipal and industrial sewage, sludge, gases and chemicals.
• Controls the feeding and assures the constant flow of chemicals into the treatment process through adjustments in valves, filling bins, changing tanks or computer equipment as needed.
• Adjusts and controls flow of sewage, air and return sludge generated through every day and emergency conditions (including combined sewer overflow) by coordinating regulation through computer equipment and manual operations; assists in the training of new operators.
• Checks oil levels of engines, gear boxes, air compressors, blowers, etc.
• Lubricates bearings; cleans meters, gauges and probes.
• Inspects valves and equipment to detect leaks and other malfunctions and makes necessary adjustments to correct deficiencies and restore normal operations.
• Performs preventive maintenance as required at assigned work locations; exercises standard and emergency equipment.
• Checks for alarms on each shift.
• Makes calculations as needed to determine and distribute flow of sewage according to conditions and specifications.
• Reads meters, gauges, charts, graphs, and schematics; monitors river and weather conditions.
• Obtains samples throughout the treatment process and conducts certain analyses (such as pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residual, temperature, etc.) of samples; monitors and records pressures, temperatures, flow rates and other data.
• Completes chain of custody sheets for samples.
• Maintains logs of all activities that take place on shifts.
• Submits work order requests to supervisor for Water Reclamation equipment repair as needed.
• Performs maintenance duties in connection with the cleanliness and maintenance of the Water Reclamation Plant.
• Cleans up spills as needed.
• Loads, unloads, and dumps trucks or trailers as required (which may involve using an overhead crane or forklift).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge Of

• The operation of wastewater treatment facilities and equipment.
• Maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities and equipment.
• Hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Operation of computerized process control equipment.
• Basic chemistry, math and hydraulics.

Skill In

• Oral and written communication.
• Using basic hand tools
• Following written and oral instructions.
• Recordkeeping.
• Handling chemicals and raw sewage.
• Mechanical skills.
• Operating a computer.

Ability To

• Work with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, superiors, vendor representatives and clients.

Required Education, Experience, And Certifications

• Graduation from high school or General Educational Development (GED) tests equivalency
• A Class I Wastewater Treatment Professional Operator Certification issued by the State of Ohio EPA
• Designation as an operator in training (OIT) by the State of Ohio after passing the Class I Wastewater Treatment Certification exam.

Additional Or Special Requirements

• An individual with an equivalent license from another state must obtain reciprocity from the State of Ohio EPA before their application will be considered.
• An individual designated as an operator in training (OIT) by the State of Ohio must apply for a Class I Wastewater Treatment Certified Operator license within three (3) months after achieving the minimum experience required for the license.
• Position assignment may require the possession of a State of Ohio driver's license.

Preferred Education, Experience And Certifications

• One (1) year of experience in the operation of equipment in a wastewater treatment plant is preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described within this job description must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

In this position, the employee will occasionally stand, sit, climb, push, pull, drag and/or carry up to 55 pounds. The employee will frequently walk-in all-weather conditions. Occasional stooping, kneeling, crawling and crouching may occur with this position. Speaking and listening are constant essential functions of this position.

Work Environment

The work environment described within this job description will be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is frequently indoors and outdoors. This employee will occasionally work in extreme heat. This employee will frequently work in conditions where fumes and mists are presents. In addition, this employee will occasionally work in conditions where poor ventilation, dust and gases are present. This employee will be occasionally exposed to various hazards. The employee must be able to wear required PPE whenever necessary. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Class Code

Water Reclamation Operator (3516)

The City of Toledo provides excellent health and retirement benefits for its employees.

Health Insurance

The City of Toledo is a self-funded medical plan provider that offers a broad network of health services options for its employees. The City also offers a multi-tiered prescription drug plan and dental and vision care services.

Employees are required to pay a monthly premium depending on the employee’s selection of single, single plus one, or family coverage. Coverage is also afforded for qualifying domestic partners, depending on the employee’s bargaining unit. Monthly co-premiums are determined by collective bargaining agreement or Municipal Code.

Group Life Insurance

City employees are covered by a group life insurance plan depending on collective bargaining agreement or Municipal Code.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement Plan

The City is a member of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement Plan (OPERS). All employees who are paid in whole or in part by the state of Ohio, a county, municipality, or any other political subdivision of state or local government in Ohio must become members of OPERS unless they are covered by another state retirement system in Ohio.

OPERS is a pension plan providing fixed retirement benefits every month based on a formula that rewards years of service. The City contributes 14.00% of the employee’s annual base salary and employees contribute 10.00% of their annual base salary.

For more information about OPERS, visit https://www.opers.org/

Deferred Compensation & 401(K)

The City of Toledo offers a voluntary governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plan, which is a retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to supplement any existing retirement/pension benefits by saving and investing pre-tax dollars through salary deferral.

Contributions and any earnings are tax-deferred (both federal and state income taxes) until money is withdrawn. Withdrawals are taxed at ordinary income levels.

For more information about the Ohio Deferred Compensation click on this link: https://www.ohio457.org/iApp/tcm/ohio457/index.jsp

401(k)

The City of Toledo offers a voluntary pre-tax savings contributions retirement plan. The plan is commonly referred to as a 401(k).

Under the 401(k) plan, an employee’s retirement savings contributions are deducted from the employee’s paycheck before taxation. The City does not make contributions on the employee’s behalf. (Contributions are tax-deferred until withdrawn during retirement). Annual contributions to the 401(k) plan are limited to a maximum pre-tax annual contribution, as established by Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Roth 401(k)

The City of Toledo also offers a voluntary post-tax savings contributions retirement plan. This plan is commonly referred to as a Roth 401(k) Plan.

Under a Roth 401(k) Plan, an employee’s retirement savings contributions are deducted from the employee’s paycheck on a post-tax basis. Annual contributions to the Roth 401(k) plan are limited to a maximum post-tax annual contribution, as established by the Internal Revenue Service.