Water System Operator

Town of Carolina Beach; Carolina Beach (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Carolina Beach is seeking a Water Plant Operator to monitor and treat the municipal drinking water supply. The role involves daily rounds of wells and treatment plants, testing water quality, maintaining logs, and adjusting chemical feed rates to ensure safe water delivery.

Responsibilities include preparing required reports, performing preventive maintenance, and supporting distribution system work such as meter services and hydrant maintenance; flexibility for on-call or shift work may

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalency; an Associate’s degree in a related field is desired.
• Experience in construction related utility work, water treatment and/or distribution, pump and motor maintenance and repair is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Makes continuous daily rounds of wells and water treatment plants, checking gauge readings and calibrations; taking and testing water samples for quality and records all results in logbooks.
• Prepares reports on chemical usage, physical tests, chemical analysis, turbidity, chlorine, filter operations, lagoon information, CT computation, and enters data into workflow management systems.
• Performs preventive maintenance and repair to sites as needed.
• Assists with related construction, installation, repair or maintenance within distribution systems incl. collection and sewer pump stations.
• Reads and re-reads water meters; makes connects and disconnects of water services; repairs water meters; sets meter boxes; installs and changes out meters.
• Installs, repairs, and replaces fire hydrants; participates in hydrant and valve maintenance programs; locates lines and valves to update maps.

Skills

Water quality testing

Meter reading & calibration

Chemical feed adjustment

Equipment operation

Troubleshooting

Report writing

Communication with supervisor

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in related field

Tools

Backhoe operation

Front-end loader

Dump trucks

Jackhammers

Water meters

Valves & hydrants

Job description

An employee in this class is responsible for monitoring and treating the municipal drinking water supply. Emphasis of the work includes making continuous, daily inspections and testing of the wells and water treatment plants, preparing state required reports, maintaining records, taking water samples, adding necessary chemicals to the water, troubleshooting mechanical problems, assisting customers, making decisions in response to operational problems and reporting more difficult problems to supervisor. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Water Plant Operator Supervisor and is evaluated for attainment of specific performance objectives, accuracy and documentation of tests performed, adherence to instructions, standard trade and safety practices, review of logbooks, and observation of work in progress.

• Makes continuous daily rounds of wells and water treatment plants, checking and documenting gauge readings and calibrations; taking and testing water samples for quality, excess color, turbidity, chlorine, alkalinity, and records all results in logbooks; adjusting chemical feed rates of plant equipment and checking functioning of meters and pumps.
• Prepares reports on chemical usage, physical tests, chemical analysis, turbidity, chlorine, filter operations, lagoon information, CT computation, and enters data into workflow management systems.
• Performs preventive maintenance and repair to sites as needed.
• Assists with related construction, installation, repair or maintenance or other related work within distribution systems including collection and sewer pump stations.
• Reads and re-reads water meters as needed or required; makes connects and disconnects of water services; repairs water meters; sets meter boxes, installs and changes out meters.
• Installs, repairs, and replaces fire hydrants; participates in hydrant and valve exercising and maintenance programs; locates lines and valves to update maps or mark for other contractors
• May be required to operate backhoe, front end loader, dump trucks, jackhammers, tampers, pipe threading machines, tapping machines, trenchers, air compressors, vactor, boring machines, and other related equipment or machinery required to maintain the existing systems
• Responds to complaints as needed or assigned and reports all complaints to supervisor
• Maintains plant inventory, operating, and maintenance records.
• May be required to be the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) or backup ORC.
• Regularly and predictably attends work.
• Performs other related work as required.

• Working knowledge of the use of common power tools
• Knowledge of the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of a water treatment plant.
• Knowledge of water quality issues and have ability to discuss issues related to color, taste and odor.
• Working knowledge of the variety of methods, tasks, tools, materials and equipment used in the installation, replacement, maintenance and repair of utility lines and appurtenances.
• Ability to conduct routine water quality tests, accurately read meters and charts, and form conclusions and make operating decisions based on results.
• Ability to make water main taps; install hydrants, meters, and valves; takes samples and testing water and other maintenance and repairs to water distribution and treatment system.
• Working knowledge of the safe use, operation and preventive maintenance of common automotive and plant mechanical equipment.
• Skill in the operation of light and medium size construction equipment.
• Ability to complete reports and work orders in work management system.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, other employees and the public.
• Ability to read utility line maps and understand operational and service manuals.
• Ability to work nights, weekends and Holidays and respond to "Call Back" or emergency utility tasks or situations.

Physical Requirements

This class must be able to perform work exertion up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Employee must be able to perform the basic physical life functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking and hearing. Employee must have the visual acuity to read charts, make written records, gauges and dials, to inspect moving parts, operate a computer, prepare and analyze data and figures, perform extensive reading, conduct visual inspection of small defects or parts, operate a vehicle and machines, use measurement devices, operate equipment such as loaders and dump trucks, fit pipes and other parts and to assemble parts at distances close to the eyes.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions including extreme heat and extreme cold. Employee is subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, loud noises, exposure to chemicals, fumes, and dusts or other poor ventilation and atmospheric conditions which may require the use of a respirator. Employee is frequently in close quarters, crawl spaces, small enclosed rooms, and other areas which could cause claustrophobia. Work that brings employee in contact with raw water or sewage may subject the employee to compliance with OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens. Employee must use personal protective equipment as required. This position has been deemed Safety Sensitive.

Education

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency; an Associate’s degree in a related field of study to the work is desired.

Experience

Experience in construction related utility work, water treatment and / or distribution, pump and motor mechanical maintenance and repair is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain NC C Well Grade Operators License within 18-24 months of employment.
• Grade I Wastewater Collections Certification preferred.
• Immunization against Hepatitis A and B is indicated for this position.
• Employee required to successfully complete the NIMS course work applicable to the position within one year.