Water Treatment Plant Operator

City-of-Big-Spring-1; Big Spring (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Big Spring is seeking a dedicated operator to run and maintain its water treatment plant, pump stations and storage tanks. You will monitor chemicals, collect samples, run tests and ensure compliance with state and federal rules.

The role includes preventive maintenance, record keeping and after-hours emergency responses as needed. Candidates should have a High School diploma or GED, and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water treatment processes and safety policies.
• Ability to perform routine chemical and laboratory tests.
• Understand basic chemistry, mathematics, and biology.
• Capable of recording data and maintaining logs accurately.
• Operate and maintain water treatment plant equipment and pumps.
• Read gauges, meters and charts for plant status.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain and repair water treatment plant, pump stations, and storage tanks.
• Control and monitor chemicals to purify water for consumption and industrial use.
• Collect water samples and perform tests; ensure compliance with agencies.
• Record results, adjust chemical feeders, and maintain equipment.
• Maintain plant records, logs, diaries, and chemical inventories.
• Inspect and perform preventive maintenance on equipment; respond to outages.

Skills

Water treatment knowledge

Chemical handling

Laboratory testing

Pumps and motors maintenance

Chemistry, math, biology basics

Laboratory calculations

Operating lab equipment

Water analysis equipment

Basic tools use

Grounds maintenance equipment

Oral and written communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Class C Water Treatment Plant Operator's Certificate (within 3 years)

Valid driver’s license (TX)

Class B CDL (TX) within 180 days

Job description

This position is responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing the City's water treatment plant, pump stations and storage tanks.

Essential duties and functions may include the following:

• Controls and monitors treatment plant chemicals, machines, and equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use.
• Collects representative water samples from the plant and distribution system; performs chemical, physical, and bacteriological tests to assure water quality; submits samples for testing as required by state and federal agencies.
• Determines and adds specified amounts of chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, aluminum sulfate and caustic and copper sulfate to disinfect and clarify water.
• Performs and records the results of various laboratory tests to assess water quality and to determine optimal chemical treatment, such as pH, alkalinity, turbidity, chlorine residual, hardness, temperature, conductivity and other related tests.
• Removes solids from treatment units and backwashes filters as needed.
• Maintains the efficiency of plant and laboratory operations, including maintenance of equipment, pumps, filters, and machinery, testing, quality control, and record-keeping procedures.
• Calibrates laboratory equipment and adjusts chemical feeders for optimal water treatment.
• Maintains plant records, including operations logs, daily diaries, and chemical inventories; compiles reports as required by departmental policies.
• Monitors charts, dials, pumps, chemical feeders, laboratory equipment, meters, and gauges in the laboratory to determine status of various functions of the plant; performs equipment and laboratory preventive maintenance duties.
• Reads, calculates, and records water usage; changes charts on a daily basis.
• Fills out pump room charts; files completed charts.
• Maintains pressure and flow levels in distribution system and storage tanks.

• Performs minor repairs, operations adjustments, and preventive maintenance on plant equipment as needed.
• Maintains water pumping stations and elevated storage tanks.
• Records phone information about water leaks and reports to appropriate repair crews.
• Reads and records chemical usage; fills chemical feeders; mixes chemicals; changes reagents; changes out chlorine cylinders.
• Checks motors and pumps for excessive noise and temperatures; reports problems to appropriate personnel.
• Performs grounds maintenance and housekeeping duties as needed.
• May be required to be on call after hours to respond to emergencies as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a Class B CDL issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated within 180 days of hire.
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the basic duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a required Class C Water Treatment Plant Operator's Certificate within three (3) years of hire.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Texas.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a Class B CDL issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated within 180 days of hire.

• Knowledge of water treatment processes.
• Knowledge of the handling and application of the chemicals necessary to maintain a safe water supply and personal safety.
• Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations and city, department and safety policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, equipment, and materials.
• Knowledge of water treatment plant operations and equipment, pumps and motors and related maintenance techniques.
• Knowledge of basic chemistry, mathematics, and biology.
• Skill in performing standard laboratory-related mathematical calculations.
• Skill in operating laboratory equipment.
• Skill in the use of water analysis equipment, meters, and gauges.
• Skill in the use of basic tools such as packing tools, socket wrenches, power tools, and screwdrivers.
• Skill in operating light and heavy equipment such as a front end loader and dump truck.
• Skill in the use of grounds maintenance equipment.
• Skill in basic computer use.
• Skill in oral and written communication.